Moving Checklist

Old Location

Take these items into consideration while still at the old location.

  • Arrange for a professional mover
  • Take household goods inventory
  • Check with your insurance agent about coverage for the move, transfer of policies
  • Clean out closets/garage
  • Send draperies and rugs to cleaners in time for packing with other goods
  • Defrost freezer
  • Call to have the following to have services shut off or disconnected: 
    • Water company
    • Cable TV company
    • Electric company
    • Newspaper delivery
    • Gas/oil company
    • Food delivery
    • Telephone company
  • Notify post office of new address and send change of address cards to: 
    • Charge accounts
    • Credit cards
    • Loan companies
    • Subscriptions
    • Friends, relatives
  • Take care of household and personal business:
    • Pick up any clothing, storage items from cleaners
    • Empty safe-deposit box
    • Arrange for banking in new location, transfer bank funds
    • Arrange for local school to transfer children's records
    • Ask dentist for recommendations of new dentist and arrange for records to be forwarded (e.g. General dentist, Orthodontist)
  • Ask physician(s) for recommendations and arrange for records to be forwarded. (Family doctor, Pediatrician Specialists )
  • Obtain veterinarian records
  • Have appliances serviced for moving, if applicable
  • Transfer church, club, civic organization memberships; obtain letters of introduction
  • Obtain moving company's toll-free telephone number to check progress of shipment (Name of company, Telephone number
  • Make travel arrangements:
    • Flight
    • Hotel reservations
    • Arrange for transportation of pets
    • Car rental
    • Plan auto route
    • Tell a close friend or relative your plans and let them act as your message center
    • Check closets, shelves, all rooms to be sure they are empty
  • Leave current house or apartment in clean condition

Before Arriving At New Location

Arrange for utility services in new area:

  • Water company
  • Electric company
  • Gas/oil company
  • Telephone company
  • Ask new landlord, previous tenant or real estate agent for recommendations for repair services (Plumber, Electrician, TV repair)

New Location

  • Order local newspapers
  • Meet your neighbors (and write down their names)
  • Get recommendations for babysitters, nanny agencies, etc.
  • Contact Welcome Wagon, Welcome Ambassador, or other merchant-sponsored organizations for information and free gifts, coupons
  • Join Newcomers Club
  • Put valuables into a safety deposit box in the new bank
  • Arrange for new school to receive records
  • Contact new dentists and doctors to arrange for record delivery
  • Have pets licensed
  • Arrange for new registration of cars (bicycles, also, if required)
  • Obtain new driver's license if you moved to a new province, or correct address on present license