The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the Ann Arbor moving leader, we knows the best recommendations to keep everything in order during your upcoming move. We created the Ultimate Moving Checklist to keep you on track. From requesting a quote, to managing your utilities13, hiring professional services, preparing your items for the move—we got it all covered here.

8 Weeks Out: Schedule an In-Home or Virtual Estimate

• Now is the time to reach out for a moving quote. Schedule an meeting for a move representative to view your property (either in-person or virtually), discuss your move particulars and prepare a moving quote.
• If your organization is paying for your move, refer to their moving quote policy to determine what services your employer will cover.
• Do you intend to do any of the packing—or will you have it done by our pack crews? We are eager to discuss all the packing options with you.
• Show your move representative everything that’ll be moved. Any items you fail to disclose or that are added to the shipment later will increase the cost, even if were given a binding moving quote.
• Review the “Your Rights and Responsibilities” to make certain that you understand the extent of your liability.

7 Weeks Out: Sign your estimate and book your move

• Approve your moving quote| only after you comprehend the document. If you have questions, be sure to consult your sales representative. We want to assist you in any way we can.
• Lock in your move date and reconfirm your moving schedule when you officially book your relocation.
• Keep the phone number and name of your moving consultant readily available, and feel free to inquire or request more helpful hints.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

• To make sure your mail gets to your new address, notify the post office you’re moving. You can complete an online Change of Address form on the United States Postal Service website.
• Update your address with your financial institutions, insurance companies, credit card companies, and magazine subscriptions.
• Update your information with doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other service providers.

5 Weeks Out: Determine what to toss, sell or give away

• Look through every area in your house to decide on what will come with you and what will be left behind.
• Have a garage sale to get rid of any unwanted items.
• Donate your excess clothing, furniture or other home decor (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your preferred Ann Arbor charities. Don’t forget to grab proof of donation showing the items’ value for potential future tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, begin now so you are not stressed at the final stages. Some items that are great to start with are books, off-season clothes, knick knacks.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Advise your moving consultant if you make changes to the items you're moving or if there are any changes in dates.
• Be sure that your moving contact has your new address and phone contact where you can be contacted.
• Ensure that your moving contact knows of any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup or delivery points – ensure this is part of your moving quote.

3 Weeks Out: Prepare your friends and family

• Take your family for a last visit to some of their favorite places that hold happy memories.
• Throw a farewell party for your children and their friends.
• Enjoy yourself… an open house. Keep it simple.
• Make family travel reservations. Book hotel rooms and flight tickets as needed.
• If driving, have your car mechanic check out your car. (check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.).
• If you are traveling by plane, make sure you have your plane tickets and other necessary transportation booked.
• Think about what items you will have to have for the trip and for your first night in your new home. Put them somewhere so they don’t accidentally get packed.
• You have to properly dispose of flammable things such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Empty gasoline from your mower and other yard equipment and tighten all gas caps. Disposve of partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other chemicals that could be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that may leak. Please read the complete list of non-allowables.
• Discard propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.
• Arrange to have utilities disconnected. Plan to keep utilities available through moving day.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave them wrapped when they’re returned from the cleaners.
• Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) prior to moving because some products might soften the wood, making it vulnerable to damage.
• Avoid cleaning your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture can result in mold if furniture must be placed in storage.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

• Ensure you have made travel plans for your pets. If you need to kennel them or leave them with friends, double-check those plans now.
• Bring your pets to the vet and ensure you have all required health certificates or inoculations – every state has specific rules.
• Retrieve anything you had dry-cleaned, stored or fixed.
• Empty your locker at the club, pool hall or other facility.
• Give back anything you’ve loaned from friends, including books from the library.
• Collect any needed medications that may be available.
• Make sure you have not forgotten any of the essential belongings.
• Have you packed or eliminated everything that is not being moved? Be sure to inform your relocation specialist to see if that impacts your moving quote.
• Have you checked all the specifics with your relocation coordinator?

1 Week to go: Last minute details

• Double-check that all mechanical and electrical equipment is thoroughly checked for shipping prior to the coming of the vehicle. As always, reach out to your move coordinator with any questions.
• Keep getting your items ready for the move, selling, and preparing your items accordingly.

One Day Away

• Highlight any delicate belongings needing special treatment. If certain items should not be packed or moved, mark them prominently. Labels work well for this!
• Identify any items or boxes you will want immediately when the truck gets to your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you are packing yourself, make sure everything is prepared before moving day. When they arrive, the van operator will check to make sure boxes have been properly packed.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, collect things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and place them in separate groups.
• Disconnect all electronic appliances 24 hours prior to the move, except older plasma TVs, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos and audio/video equipment.

Moving day

 

• Make it a point to be available to see that all of your goods are loaded; remain close by until loading is finished. After making a final tour of the house, inspect and sign the shipment inventory. Get your inventory copy from the moving company and keep it in a secure location.
• Your relocation specialist will check in with you on load day to make sure your expectations are being met. Keep your phone handy!
• There will be some required paperwork on moving day:
• High-Value Inventory Form: complete and sign stating whether items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment.
• Bill of Lading: states the terms and conditions under which your items will be moved and it also serves as your receipt for the shipment.
• Be sure toet the van operator know how to contact you, including mobile numbers, email address, and new address, pending the arrival of your belongings at your new home.

Take a last look around

• Is the water shut off?
• Are the furnace and air conditioner turned off?
• Did you switch off light switches off?
• Are all utilities arranged for disconnection?
• Are the windows closed and locked?
• Did you surrender the old house keys?
• Have you left anything in small closets or cabinets?

Delivery day

• Make sure to be available to accept delivery. If you are unable to be there in-person, be sure you designate an adult to be your proxy to accept delivery and pay any fees for you.
• Having two adults present is ideal for delivery. One can direct the crew and answer questions, the other can solely be in charge of marking off the inventory and ensuring all items are accounted for.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will try to contact you by phone and may visit your new home if they are unable to reach you. If you or an authorized individual are unable to accept delivery of your belongings within the allocated time (i.e., two hours) you can request more waiting time until the delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they are unloaded. If there are any discrepancies in the state of your property from what is noted on the inventory, mark discrepancies on the van operator’s version of the inventory. When you sign the inventory, you’re acknowledging receipt and condition of all inventoried items.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including putting down rugs and setting up any beds disassembled at origin.
• It always helps to have a guide. Place a floor plan of your new home by the entrance, which the movers can use to figure out where each piece of furniture belongs.
• Keep all documents related to your move in a safe place. You will need them for claiming moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• In order to prevent potential damage, leave appliances and electronics turned off for about one day while they adjust to new room temperatures.

Settling in: one week after move

• The time has come to make it official! Check in with your destination post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to start.
• Check state (and local) requirements for auto registration and a driver's license.
• You may want to select an attorney to discuss regulations that pertain to your destination state, county and/or city. Be sure to cover such matters as wills, property transfers, and investments, insurance laws, inheritance laws, tax regulations, etc. Most laws affect a family as soon as residence in the new state or city is established.