6-8 Weeks before moving
Organization is the key for a smooth move and this is the time to start getting the details of your move.

This is the time to decide what items you wish to transport to your new home. If you decide to dispose of items that you don t need you should either donate them to a charity or consider having a garage sale. Contact a local charity or pick a date at least two weeks before moving date for the garage sale. Advertise the garage sale locally. Team up with your neighbors who want to sell some of their old belongings, and plan a large neighborhood "sale".

Start collecting suitable moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing or partial packing. You can purchase all these materials from any mover or a moving supply company. All boxes that you purchase from a mover or a moving supply company are specially designed for the moving industry to prevent any damages to your belongings. Getting boxes from other sources may create some difficulties when packed in the van. These boxes may be unusually sizes and they may not be strong enough to prevent damages to items packed inside.

Think about your new home layout and start thinking about where you'll place the furniture. Create a floor plan of your new home that will prevent the stress of making decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home.

Get familiar with your new community. Request information on schools, community programs, parks and recreation from the local Chamber of Commerce.

All travel arrangements (hotel, flights, car rental, etc.) for your family should be made at this time. Try to keep your plan flexible as possible to accommodate any schedule changes or delays.

Keep all receipts for moving related expenses in a designated moving folder. Many moving expenses are tax deductible. Obtain an IRS Change of Address form, Form 8822, by calling (800) 829-1040 or click here on IRS. You will be able to download and print form 8822 and most other IRS tax forms; e.g., Form 3903 to help deduct moving expenses.

Finalize all real estate and rental needs.

Contact your insurance agent to transfer medical, property, fire and auto insurance.

All medical and dental records should be placed in a safe and accessible place. Be sure to include prescription, vaccination records and eyeglass specifications.

Plan on taking all important documents, such as wills, stock certificates, and other one of a kind items (jewelry, coin collection, photos etc.).

4-5 Weeks before moving

Contact the Post Office for the Change of Address form (also located at http://www.usps.gov) to tell of your move. give your new address to:

Friends and family

Banks, insurance companies, and other institutions

Credit card companies

Doctors, dentists and other service providers

Any clubs or associations memberships.

Local government agencies, Federal agencies and IRS.

Magazine and newspaper subscription.

It is the time to take a look at what you own, and decide what must go and what can be left behind. All items such as old books, magazines, broken items, old toys can be left behind. Remember-adding more weight to your shipment costs more money.

Organize your move by deciding and making lists of what items you will not transport, what items your mover will move and what items you will move yourself.

Make a decision if the items not going that will be sold at a garage sale, picked by a charity or trash it.

Make a decision on who will do most of the packing or all the packing. It is a good idea that you let the mover do most of the packing. The movers know the best methods for keeping items safe; that's what they do for a living.

If you will do most packing or all the packing please refer to our packing guide. Any one of a kind items must get special attention. Please ask the mover you use for further details about handling unusual and delicate moving situations. Start preparing those items not used often for your move.

Get your kids involved with the moving process. Let your kids do some packing and let them suggest a layout for their new room. Make it fun and exciting for them to move.

3 Weeks before moving

Notify your mover if there are any changes in the dates of your move. If you will need any additional accessorial service such as piano moving, packing and unpacking, storage you should inform the mover for pricing information. Also inform the mover if you add or subtract items from your planned shipment.

Decide how much packing your will handle yourself. You should inform the mover of any items that you decided for him/her to pack.

Whether you move your car with the mover or a car carrier, you should make your final reservation for a car pick up at this time.

Consider giving your plants to friends or a charity if you are moving from one state to another. Some state laws prohibit the moving of houseplants.

Make transportation arrangements for your pets. Take your pets to your veterinarian to ensure proper up to date health certificates and rabies inoculations. Some states will require these documents.

You will need to carry all valuable jewelry with you. If you have any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving.

Return any borrowed items such as library books. Also collect all items that are being repaired stored or cleaned (clothing, furs, shoes etc.).

2 Weeks before moving

Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore in your new city. Call your bank to find out how to transfer your accounts. Clear all your safety deposits boxes.

Disassemble and disconnect your computer system before your move. Back up all your computer files on a disk. Consider taking all back up files disks with you in the car. Exposure to extreme temperatures can damage your software.

Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear your home including closets, basement and attics and the items that you will take.

Dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to be shipped. Please refer to items not allowed to be shipped section for more information.

Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic, non-flammable in plastic bags.

Drain your lawn mower, snow blower, power tools of all the oil and gasoline to ensure safe transportation.

Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation with a service provider.

If you need to store anything call your mover about storage options available.

Inform gas, electric, cable, and telephone services of your move. Arrange to have them disconnected from your present home the day after your scheduled moving day. Sign up for services at your new address and connect them on your moving in day.

Have your automobile serviced if your travel is by car.

1 Week before moving

Make sure to mark which items you'll take yourself, so the movers won't take them or have any questions.

Make sure you haven't overlooked anything in the house.

Mark your boxes to be shipped with "Fragile", "Do Not Load", "Load Last" stickers.

Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator, freezer and clean your stove, all at least 24 hours before moving to let them air out. Try using baking soda to get rid of any odors.

Prepare items you will need while your goods are in transit. Pack your suitcases and confirm travel arrangements for you and your family. Try to keep plans as flexible as possible in the event of unexpected delay or schedule change.

Make sure your agent knows the address and phone number your new home. You should also provide an address and phone number of where you can be reached until you will get to your new home.

Arrange for payment to your mover. Contact your mover to inquire about methods of payment accepted.

Inquire with your mover about protecting your goods. Please refer to our insurance and liability section.

Information from www.moving.tv