Moving sure isn't easy, but it can be a lot of fun. This checklist will allow your move to go as smoothly as possible! Here are some essentials to

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Aileen Caroline Perry
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1 Moving sure isn't easy, but it can be a lot of fun. This checklist will allow your move to go as smoothly as possible! Here are some essentials to make sure all of your stuﬀ gets from Point A to Point B in tact!

2 3 Months Before Determine a Target Move-In Date: Pinpoint what day you d like to move in so you can start making the proper arrangements. Consult your lease and your landlord before settling on any date! Waste the Waste: Weed out all of the unnecessary items that you don t need to take with you and begin throwing them away or giving them to charity. You can also pawn oﬀ unwanted items on friends or hold a yard sale! Begin Collecting Moving Items: Slowly accumulate various supplies and essentials as your moving date approaches. Some of the items you might want in your moving arsenal include: Cardboard boxes Box cutters Packing tape Box padding like bubble wrap or newspaper Labels Permanent Marker Plastic bags Garbage bags 2 Months Before Decide Who s Gonna Help You Move: The best time to start recruiting moving helpers whether you re hiring a few or grabbing some friends is as early as possible. Also keep in mind that many moving services oﬀer student discounts! Find Medical Professionals in the Area: Consult your insurance plan or ask your current doctor for a referral to ind new medical professionals in the area. Find the doctor s of ice you like the most and then talk to them about becoming a patient there. Look Into Renter s Insurance: Decide whether getting renter s insurance is right for you and how you can go about obtaining it before your move-in date. Carefully examine your options and speak with your landlord before making any big decisions. 1

3 1 Month Before Nail Your Helpers Down: Begin asking friends for what they re doing on moving day or begin collecting staf ing estimates from moving companies. You ll want to get a commitment from friends or put a deposit down with your moving service. Begin Sorting Everything & Create A Labeling System: Begin taking your stuﬀ and placing them into diﬀerent categories. Then create a handy labeling system that will help make unpacking and tracking items easier. Protips: Avoid labeling systems that name or hint at any valuable contents. Also write Fragile on boxes containing delicate items! File a Change of Address Form: Let the post of ice know that your address has changed so they can forward all of your mail to your new place! 2 Weeks Before Use Items That Can t Be Moved: Make sure you use up perishable items that cannot be moved with you, including lammables, strong cleaning chemicals, frozen meals, and other refrigerated foods. Make Moving Arrangements for Pets: If you have any furry friends that ll be living with you in the new place, then make sure that you make the proper arrangements for them to be transported safely: If moving locally, ask friend to watch pet during the move Create new tags for pet detailing updated information Transfer health records to another vet in the area Pack water, food, and play toys for the trip Take Your Car To a Mechanic: If you have a car, make sure you have it examined by a mechanic before the move. This is particularly important if you have to drive a long distance to your new place or into a new climate. Call Your Insurance Agent: Talk to your parents or insurance agent about any changes that might need to be made before the move. This is especially important for car insurance! Make Final Arrangements With Your Landlord: Give your landlord a quick call and make sure that your move in date is still a go! Also be sure to ask them for any last minute information during this conversation. 2

4 Set Up Your Utilities: If your utilities are not included in the rent, ind the best local utility providers in the area and begin purchasing their services. After all, you don't want to move into a new place with no electricity or WiFi! Check oﬀ as needed: Electricity Water Heat Trash Phone Cable Internet 1 Week Before Find A Good Place For Valuables: Put aside valuable items that are dif icult to replace in their own special box(es). Anything worth big bucks or lots of sentimental value should be carried with you during the move. Again, avoid labeling systems that name or hint at any valuable contents. Take Furniture Apart: Begin disassembling any furniture that you plan on taking with you putting them neatly into boxes. Be sure to label some of these boxes HEAVY as needed. After all, you don't want you or your friends taking on more than they can handle! Transfer Medical Records & Prescriptions: Call your local doctor's of ice and pharmacies to have all of your essential medical info and prescriptions transferred over to new locations. Find a Local Bank: Make sure that your current bank has a location in your new area. If you're sticking with the same bank, inform them about your change in address. If you need to move to a whole new bank, shut down your current accounts and transfer everything over! Create a Box of Essential Paperwork: Start collecting all of your essential or sensitive paperwork into one box. Considering it carries some very important records, it is important that you keep an eye on this box at all times. This includes stuﬀ like: Bank statements Credit card info School forms Birth certi icate Social security card Furniture assembly instructions 3

5 1 Day Before Have Cash On-Hand: Stop by the bank and make sure you have some cash to help you during your move. This is also essential for tipping professional movers. Put Aside Essentials: Make sure you have a separate box or suitcase dedicated to items that you'll need to have during your irst few days in the new place. This can include: Tools for furniture assembly Cleaning supplies Disposable plates & cutlery Trash bags Flashlights Light bulbs A few days worth of clothing Cleaning supplies Bedding Toiletries Towels Toilet paper Medications Finish Last-Minute Packing: Have a few odds and ends that haven't been packed away yet? It happens to the best of us! Put away your remaining items ASAP. Get Directions To Your New Place: Write down or print out directions/maps to your new place. This is especially important if you're traveling long distance! Give the movers an extra copy if you'd like to be thorough. Drop Oﬀ Pet: If you're moving locally, be sure to drop your pet oﬀ with the sitter the night before so you won't have to worry about them escaping the house or being upset during the move. Get a Good Night's Sleep: Moving is exhausting business. You're gonna need at least 8 hours of sleep so you can be at your best, brightest, and most patient on moving day! Move-In Day Give Speci ic Directions For Helpers & Movers: Let any helpers or professional mover know how you want things to moved, which boxes need to be handled carefully, and which boxes should be left to you. 4

6 Have Extra Water Handy: Whether it's just you and your parents doing the moving, some friends, or professional movers, make sure you keep extra hydration nearby for everyone! Double Check Before You Leave: Be sure to take a quick walk-through your home or room before leaving. This way you won't accidentally leave anything behind. Don't neglect the closets or bathroom cabinets! Con irm Address: If you've hired a moving company, make sure they have the right address before taking oﬀ! Once You Get to the House Make Sure All Utilities Are Connected: Try to turn on the lights, see if the heat works, and if the water is running. Make sure everything you have ordered ahead of time is running smoothly. Do a Property Inspection: It's important to know what your apartment looks like, what items are damaged, and what items are in tact when you move in. This will allow you to see what needs repairing and help you hold on to your security deposit when you leave. Be sure to ask your manager if they keep one: Check all locks to make sure they work properly Open the windows and assure that all latches work Check loors for any damage Assure that all sinks, showers, baths, and toilets function properly Test out kitchen appliances to make sure they're in working order Look for pipe leaks, particularly in the cabinets beneath sinks Examine kitchen cabinets for any signs of rodent or pest infestation Test outlets to make sure they function properly Make sure all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working Locate the thermostat and make sure it's functions Check furniture for damage if you moved into a furnished apartment Replace any burnt out light bulbs If you have a ireplace, discover if it's been cleaned recently Test any sliding screen doors for ease-of-use Take photos of any damage you ind, including scrapes, gashes, and dents Tell manager about any repairs that need to be done or damage you ind Look Around Your New Home: It's important to ind some of the essentials, particularly in your apartment building. This will help make the unpacking process go by a lot faster and get you settled in: Locate management's of ice if you live in an apartment building Pick up a packet of community rules and read them thoroughly Find where the garbage cans/dumpster/trash shoot is located 5

7 Locate the laundry room closest to your apartment Discover where you can get your mail Locate the nearest ire exits in case of an emergency Pinpoint any pet-friendly parks nearby if you have a dog Check out the parking situation and ind your assigned space if necessary Grab the key to your storage area, if applicable Find out how to let visitors into the building Introduce yourself to the neighbors Allow Pets to Explore Their New Home: Once things have settled down, let your pets explore their new home or apartment. If they seem uncomfortable, play with them for a few minutes so they can build positive associations with this new environment. Also, watch them closely. Let them sniﬀ around, but make sure they don't attempt to mark their new territory! Tip Your Movers: It is considered polite to tip professional movers if you have hired any. The industry standard tends to hover around 5% of the total service price, but you can vary the amount depending on your preferences. Dust Furniture: Moving is not only an arduous process, but also a dirty one. Be sure to give your furniture and boxes a quick dusting before bringing them into your new apartment. After all, you don't want to get oﬀ to a messy start already! Assemble Furniture: Put together any essential furniture that you'll need for the night, like your bed or a nightstand. If you have purchased new furniture, be sure to keep the instructions in a special folder for future moves. The hard work is inally over! First, give yourself a pat on the back. You did the thing! For the next few days, simply relax, unpack, and organize. Enjoy your new place and make it your own. After all, this should be a fun and exciting next few days for you! 6

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Your Moving House Checklist from the team at Bidvine

Your Moving House Checklist from the team at Bidvine Six Weeks Before Moving Day Page 1 of 7 Confirm your moving date with your estate agent Moving Date: Notify your landlord of your moving date if you're letting your existing home Sort out your kids' school