The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the Grand Rapids moving professionals, our team understands the best tips to keep everything in order during your up and coming move. We created the Ultimate Moving Checklist to guide you leading up to the big day. From obtaining a moving estimate, to utilities, professional services, packing—our team got it all covered here.

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

• It's the time to contact us for a moving estimate. Schedule an meeting for a move representative to view your home (either in-person or online), discuss your move details and prepare a moving quote.
• If your employer is paying for your move, refer to their moving quote policy to determine what services your employer will cover.
• Do you prefer to do any of the packing—or will you have it done by our packers? We are eager to discuss all the packing options with you.
• Show your move representative everything that will be moved. Any items you fail to disclose or that are added after the fact will increase the cost, even if you have been given a binding moving quote.
• Review the “Your Rights and Responsibilities” and be 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 make sure that you understand the document. If you have issues, be sure to ask your moving consultant. We want to provide all the help that you may need.
• Confirm your moving day and confirm your moving plan when you book your move.
• Keep the phone number and title of your moving consultant handy, and feel free to request more moving tips or request more moving tips.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

• To be sure your mail gets to your new address, tell the post office that you are moving. You can fill out 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 magazines.
• Update your information with medical providers, lawyers, accountants, and any other professional services.

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

• Look through every room in your house to sort through what will move with you and what will not.
• Have a yard sale to get rid of any unwanted items.
• Donate your unused clothing, furniture or other items for the home (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your preferred Grand Rapids charities. Don’t forget to grab donation receipts showing the items’ value for potential future tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, start now so you are not panicked at the end. Some items that are good to start with are books, out of season clothes, decorative items.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Advise your move representative if you add or subtract items from your planned moving quote or if there are any updates to your moving schedule.
• Be sure that your point of contact has your new address and phone contact where you can be reached.
• Make sure that your move coordinator knows of any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a alternate site – confirm this is part of your moving quote.

3 Weeks Out: Prepare your friends and family

• Take the family for final visits to some of the places that hold happy memories.
• Have a farewell party for your children and their friends.
• Enjoy yourself… an outdoor barbecue. Keep it simple.
• Make family travel plans. Book accommodations and airfare as needed.
• If you'll be driving, have your auto mechanic check out your car. (check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.).
• If you are flying, make sure you have your tickets and other necessary transportation booked.
• consider about what things 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.
• Dispose of any flammable items such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Empty gas from your mower and other yard equipment and make sure all caps are tight. Throw away partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other chemicals that could be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that could leak. Please read the full list of prohibited items.
• Discard propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.
• Set a date for having utilities disconnected. Plan to keep utilities available through moving day.
• Get your carpets and curtains cleaned. Leave both 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 of these products may soften the wood, making it susceptible to being damaged.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture can lead to mold if furniture must be placed in storage.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

• Make sure you have arranged transportation for your pets. If you need to kennel them or keep them with pet-sitters, verify those plans now.
• Take your pets to the vet and ensure you have any required vaccination records or shots – every state has unique regulations.
• Pick up anything you had dry-cleaned, stored or repaired.
• Clear out your locker at the gym, bowling alley or other facility.
• Give back anything you’ve borrowed from friends, including books from the library.
• Retrieve any recurring prescriptions that may be ready.
• Ensure you haven’t missed any of the critical items.
• Have you packed or eliminated everything that is not relocating? Be sure to inform your moving agent to see if that impacts your moving quote.
• Have you confirmed all the specifics with your move 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 truck. As always, speak to your moving representative with any questions.
• Continue packing, selling, and organizing your belongings accordingly.

One Day Away

• Identify any fragile items needing careful handling. If certain things shouldn’t be packed or moved, mark them clearly. Post-it notes work well for this!
• Tag any items or boxes you’ll want immediately when the truck gets to your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you’re packing yourself, make sure everything is ready to go before moving day. When they arrive, the van operator will look to make sure boxes have been secured properly.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, get things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and group them in separate groups.
• Unplug all electronic appliances 24 hours in advance of a move, except older plasma televisions, 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 there to make sure that all of your belongings are loaded; remain nearby until loading is done. After making a final tour of the house, inspect and sign the inventory list. Get your inventory copy from the van operator and store it securely.
• Your move manager will check in with you on load day to be sure your expectations are being met. Keep your smartphone handy!
• There will be some necessary paperwork on moving day:
• High-Value Inventory Form: complete and sign stating if any items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment.
• Bill of Lading: states the terms and conditions under which your goods will be moved and it’s also your receipt for the shipment.
• Be sure toet the van operator know how to contact you, including phone numbers, email address, and new address, pending the arrival of your belongings at your new home.

Take a last look around

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

Delivery day

• Be on hand 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.
• Two adults present is preferred for delivery. One may direct the crew and answer questions, the other may solely be in charge of checking off the inventory and ensuring all items have arrived.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will attempt to contact you by phone and may stop by your new home if they are not able to reach you. If you or an authorized individual are unable to accept delivery of your belongings within the free waiting time (i.e., two hours) you can request additional time until the delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they are unloaded. If there are any discrepancies in the condition 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 are acknowledging receipt and condition of all inventoried items.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including the laying of rugs and setting up any beds disassembled at origin.
• It always helps to have a guide. Place a floor plan of your new home near the entrance, so the movers can figure out where each piece of furniture should go.
• Keep all documents associated with your move in a safe place. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To help avoid possible damage, leave appliances and electronics turned off for about a day while they adjust to new room temperatures.

Settling in: one week after move

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