checklist for moving
Checklist for Moving
If you are planning to shift to a new place, you have hit the right link. This article shares a checklist that would help you in a sound shifting process.
Shifting is not easy. After all, moving your entire world to another place is quite a tedious task. You can't simply pick everything from the current house and place it in the new one. For successful moving, it is important that you plan everything in advance.
Maintaining a checklist while moving helps you in this task as it makes your work more organized. It can help you to think and plan the smallest details. Given below is a stepwise checklist, along with the crucial moving tips that would make your shifting process smooth and easy.
Eight Weeks Before - Getting Started
Choose the Mover: The first step is to search for a moving company. There are many such companies, but to get the best service suitable to your budget, you must do some research. Take the estimates from every company, compare them, and choose an affordable one. Provide the company with detailed information, such as moving date and the moving destination.
Inspect the New Apartment: If you are planning to use the old furniture, inspect the new house carefully so that you get an idea about how to fit the furniture. It will also give you an idea whether you need to buy new furniture.
Pick and Choose: Separate the items in your house that you wish to carry along with you to the new apartment, from the ones that you need to leave behind. Generally, the expensive and new articles can be shifted, while the old and out-of-use things are better left behind.
Transferring Records: You also need to think about transferring your medical and veterinarian records. Ask your current doctor if a new doctor can be suggested. You may also need to transfer the essential legal records. Apart from this, you will also need to transfer the school records of your kids (if you have any).
Six Weeks Before - Getting Ready
Packing Essentials: Before you start packing, order for the supplies that you would require for it, such as, cartons, containers, wraps, and markers. Arrange for special packing in case of crucial stuff like glass furniture and computers.
Donate the Old Stuff: Things that you will not be taking along with you to the new place, but are in a good condition, can be donated. Dispose the things that are in an unusable state. Check if some items have a resale value.
Inform People: Let your friends, relatives, and colleagues know that you are moving. Make a list of people whom you want to say goodbye to, and call them or mail them for the same. Let them know the date of moving and do not forget to give them the new address and contact details.
Five Weeks Before - Getting Prepared
Arrange for Arrival: You must visit the new place and make arrangements for storage. If possible, buy the required furniture. It is also important to clean the new house before you reach there. Also make arrangements for dinner, bathing, and sleeping for the day of arrival.
Look for Service Providers: Search for some good service providers, such as domestic help, babysitting, and newspaper service, and let the concerned people know about the date from which they can join.
Acquire Legal Documents: By now you must have all the important legal documents in hand. Get their extra copies and keep them safe. Revise the documents related to your health insurance, car insurance, and other policies.
Informing Service Providers: Inform your domestic help, milk man, baby sitter, and newspaper service provider of the current apartment that you are moving. You also need to tell them the date from which they should terminate the service and settle their accounts before leaving.
Three Weeks Before - Getting Into Action
Start Packing: Start packing with the things that you don't use frequently. If possible, empty one room at a time, and keep the packed stuff inside that room. Use the packing supplies and write a note on each package with a marker. Also maintain a list of things, and tick against the things that are packed. This will keep you updated with the packing status.
Assemble Important Papers: A lot of important papers can get misplaced during shifting. Hence, it is important to assemble them in one bag or folder.
Pay the Bills: Pay the bills and retrieve all the items on loan, or notify your lenders about your move. Return the things that you have borrowed from someone.
One Week Before - Crosschecking
Confirm With the Mover: Call up the mover and check if there is any change in the plan. Also, arrange for the mover's payments and road expenses.
Check With the Packing: See if you have packed everything properly. Go through the list you had made and see what else is left to be packed.
Electronic Appliances: Empty and defrost the refrigerator and clean it. Clean other appliances such as oven and microwave and pack them carefully.
Clean the House: Start cleaning the house as you pack. It should be left in a clean state for the new occupants.
On the Day - Move
Shift In: Shift all the packed stuff in the truck or carrier; carry only a handbag with you and some medicines if you will need them during your journey. See that everything is placed in the truck properly so that nothing gets damaged.
Check Locks: Check if you have switched off all the power supplies and closed all the water taps. Lock the house properly. Also check if you have taken the keys of the new house.
Moving Checklist Template
Although there is no fixed criteria for preparing the checklist, some important things should be included always. Given below is a sample checklist, that is a mini replica of the things mentioned above. You can personalize it and prepare your own checklist as per your requirements.
Sample Checklist for Moving
Eight Weeks Before
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