BestWay Moving wants you to start preparing early for your move with our moving checklist. It's really never too soon to begin planning for a move, and we have found that a comprehensive moving timeline and checklist is the best strategy to ensure a smooth relocation. Our moving checklist and timeline is also a great way to involve the entire family in the move and to spread some of the responsibilities to each person, including your children.

Eight Weeks Before Move

• Contact BestWay Moving to make arrangements for moving day.

• Remove items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc.

• Start to use up things you can't move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies.

• Contact the chamber of commerce or visitor's and tourism bureaus in your new community for information on your new city.

Six Weeks Before Move

• If you're moving at an employer's request, verify what expenses and responsibilities are theirs and which are yours.

• Contact the IRS and/or your accountant for information on what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.

• Begin to inventory and evaluate your possessions. What can be sold or donated to a charitable organization? What haven't you used within the last year?

• Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.

• Obtain a mail subscription to the local paper in your new community to familiarize yourself with local government, community and social news and activities.

• Locate all motor vehicle registration and licensing documents.

• If some of your goods are to be stored, make the necessary arrangements now. (Your relocation consultant should be able to help.)

• Contact schools, doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants and obtain copies of your personal records. Ask for referrals where possible.

Four Weeks Before Move

• Submit a Change of Address form to the post office.

• Arrange special transportation for your pets and plants.

• Contact utility and related companies (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and trash collection) for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. However, remember to keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day.

• Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's or renter's, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.

• If you're packing yourself, you may Purchase Moving Boxes and packing supplies from BestWay Moving with Free Delivery* . Pack items that you won't need in the next month.

• Plan a garage sale to sell unneeded items or arrange to donate them to charity.

Three Weeks Before Move

• Make travel arrangements and reservations for your moving trip. However, don't make plane reservations for the same day that you're moving out. House closings are often delayed, and other unexpected situations often arise.

• Collect important papers (insurance, will, deeds, stock, etc.).

• Arrange to close accounts at your local bank and open accounts in your new location.

Two Weeks Before Move

• Have your car checked and serviced for the trip. Also, make sure that your automobile is prepared (filled with the necessary antifreeze/coolant, for example) for the type of weather conditions you'll be traveling in.

• If you're moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact the building management to schedule use of the elevators.

• Contact your BestWay  Moving relocation consultant to review and confirm all arrangements for your move. 

One Week Before Move

• Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants.

• Don't forget to withdraw the contents of your safety deposit box, pick up any dry cleaning, return library books and rented videotapes, etc.

• Take pets to the veterinarian for any needed immunizations. Get copies of pets' veterinary records.

• Drain gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.).

• Give away plants not being moved.

• Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company. (Include your itinerary, emergency numbers, etc.)

Two to Three Days Before the Move

• Defrost your freezer and refrigerator. Block doors open so they can't accidentally close on pets or children.

• Have your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move.

• Pack a box of personal items that will be needed immediately at your new home. Have this box loaded last or carry it with you in your car.

• Organize and set aside those things that you're taking with you so that they don't get loaded on the van in error.

• Contact your relocation consultant to confirm arrival time of the moving truck, as well as to notify them of any last minute details.

Moving day

• Make sure that someone is at home to answer the moving foreman's questions.

• Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).

• It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is complete. After making a final tour of the house, check and sign the inventory Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these -- and all related papers -- in a safe location until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.

• Make sure the van operator has the exact destination address. Be sure to let the van operator know how you can be reached, including phone numbers, pending the arrival of your household goods.

• You'll feel a sense of accomplishment as items are checked off of your moving checklist. Moreover, as the weeks roll by, your moving timeline will help ensure that nothing has been overlooked or omitted from your planning, and that alone will go a long way toward relieving some of your anxiety.

• Take a last look around:

  • Water shut off?

  • Furnace and air conditioner shut off?

  • Light switches turned off?

  • All utilities arranged for disconnection?

  • Windows shut and locked?

  • Old house keys surrendered?

  • Have you left anything?

Delivery Day:

• Working with the mover:

  • Be on hand to accept delivery. If you cannot be there personally, be sure you authorize an adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay the charges for you.

  • Check your household goods as they are unloaded. If there is a change in the condition of the property from that noted on the inventory at the time of loading or if any items are missing, note discrepancies on the van operator's copy of the inventory sheet. By signing the inventory sheet, you are acknowledging receipt of all items listed. Personally report any loss or damage to your salesperson or move coordinator.

  • When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including  setting up any beds disassembled at origin. However, appliances and/or fixtures will NOT be installed.  The mover is not obligated to rearrange your furniture.

  • Place a floor plan of your new home by the entrance, which the movers can use to determine where each piece of furniture should go.

  • Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.

  • To prevent possible damage, television sets, other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery, allowing them time to adjust to room temperature.

One week after move:

• Settling in:

  • Check with your new post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to start.

  • Check state (and local) requirements for auto registration and a driver's license.

  • You may want to select an attorney to discuss laws that pertain to your destination state, county, and/or city. Be sure to cover such matters as wills, transfers of property and investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, taxes, etc. Most laws affect a family as soon as residence in the new state and city is established.