The Ultimate Moving & Packing Checklist
Moving can be very stressful. To make your move a little less stressful I have put together a printable moving and packing checklist for you. It will help you remember items you need to transfer, update, cancel, and simply help you prepare for your move.
Items to transfer, cancel or update, including:
- Cable, Internet service, telephone, newspaper
- Lawn Care, Pool Service, Pest Control
- Car registration and driver’s license
- Post Office
- Update your friends, relatives and other contacts with your new address
- Bank accounts and safe deposit boxes
- Utilities, including electric, gas, water, sewer and trash
- Insurance policies, including property, auto, medical and dental
- Alarm monitoring company
- Voter registration
- Physician, dentist and other medical providers
- Veterinarian
- Health clubs
- Your children’s schools and daycare centers
Prepare
- Separate items you will and will not be taking with you.
- Box and label the outside of all the boxes.
- Make a List: It will help you keep track of what is in every box.
- Hiring a Moving Company?: Create a list or spreadsheet of all of your belongings take pictures of anything you feel is valuable.
- Movable Storage Units: The new trend in moving is the movable storage unit. They can be loaded and stored off location during the sale of your home. Once you are ready to relocate, the unit can meet you at your new location.
- Unwanted Items: This is a great time to donate or trash unwanted or unneeded items.
Get Packing
- Collect or purchase boxes.
- Packing Accessories: Make sure you have enough tape, bubble wrap, newspapers, garbage bags and markers.
- Furniture: Take apart furniture if needed.
- Fragile Items: Make sure to take extra care when packing any fragile items.
- Moving Company: Schedule movers as needed and keep a completed bill of landing until everything is delivered to your new home, the charges are paid and if there are any claims, they are settled.
- Rent a Truck: Are you renting a moving truck? Ensure you get your truck booked in advance. Make sure you have carpet to protect items and at least one hand truck.
- Recycle: Do you have any flammable materials or containers that may leak like batteries, acids, cleaning fluids, paint, etc.? If so, make sure you properly recycle those items.
Finalize Your Details
- Car: If you are moving a long distance away, ensure you have your car serviced, tires checked etc.
- Accommodations: You should plan out your trip and stops in advance. If you have pets, make sure those arrangements are pet friendly.
- Final Check: Do a final walk through of the house. Check all closets, cabinets, attic and rooms one last time to make sure you haven’t left anything behind.
- Make sure all lights have been turned off, set the air conditioner or heat on a comfortable setting that may not run a lot. Once you are sure you’ve got everything, lock up!
Prepare For Closing
- Homeowner’s Insurance: Maintain homeowner’s hazard insurance for 2-3 days after closing.
- Leave appliance manuals, warranty information, garage door openers and spare keys in the house. Bring at least one key to closing.
- The house should be at least “broom clean” and all trash and debris should be removed from the property. This includes the garage, attic and yard. If there was any damage to the house done during the move, have it repaired! This should be completed before the buyer’s final walk through.
- Bring a driver’s license or other form of photo ID to the closing. Items are notarized and you will need to prove your ID.
- If you are selling a condo or co-op, be sure to schedule your move well in advance. Check your condo/co-op docs for moving rules and restrictions. There may be items that you or the new buyer need to complete before closing.
Printable Moving and Packing Checklist
For your convenience, Click here for the printable moving and packing checklist. It will assist you getting ready for and moving to your new home.
If you found this Real Estate moving article beneficial, please share with others who could benefit from it. And thank you for sharing!
About the author: The above Real Estate article “The Ultimate Moving & Packing Checklist” was written by Jeff Gould, a nationally recognized Tampa Bay, Florida REALTOR®. You can contact Jeff Gould here. If you are looking to sell or buy a home in the Tampa Bay area, Jeff is your local and trusted professional.
Jeff is a local FishHawk Ranch real estate and FishHawk Ranch homes for sale expert. You will find him selling homes in the Tampa Bay, Florida and surrounding areas. Including Lithia, FishHawk Ranch, Riverview, Valrico, Brandon and Tampa.
Follow Jeff on:
© 2015, Jeff Gould. All rights reserved.
