Timetable

One Month Before the Move

Hire a moving company.
Inventory and evaluate your possessions. This is an excellent time to get rid of clutter.
Contact doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants and obtain copies of your personal records. Also, ask for referrals to replace these people in your new city.
Get a change-of-address kit from the post office and send notices to everyone. Don't forget to fill out a card for everyone in the household who receives mail.
Pets and plants need special care. Arrange transportation. Bring pets to the vet for rabies shots and health certificates if needed.
Notify the principal of your children's schools and arrange for transfer of school records.
Contact the gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV, newspaper and trash companies for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. Remember to keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day.
Arrange for insurance coverage in your new location: auto, homeowner's, medical and life.
Plan a garage sale to sell unneeded stuff or arrange to donate them to charity. Get receipts for possible tax deductions.

Make travel arrangements.
Collect important papers (insurance, will, deeds, passport, stock certificates, birth records, etc.
Open bank accounts in your new city.
Arrange to transfer your insurance on household goods and personal possessions so they will be covered at your new home and enroute.

Have your cars serviced.
Arrange for sufficient cash or travelers checks to cover cost of moving and expenses. Cash or certified check is required by the moving company. They will not unpack the van without it.
Check your safe deposit box, pick up any dry-cleaning, return library books and rented video tapes, etc.

Defrost freezer and refrigerator. Block doors open so they can't accidentally close on pets or children.
Disconnect your major appliances and prepare them for the move.
Pack a box of personal items needed immediately at your new home. Bring this with you if possible.
Organize and set aside those things you are bringing with you so they don't get loaded on the van by accident.

Supervise the loading. Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these and all related papers in a safe place until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
Leave house keys with your real estate agent.