The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the Chicago moving experts, we has the best suggestions to keep everything in order during your up and coming move. We put together the Ultimate Moving Checklist to guide you leading up to the big day. From requesting a quote, to managing your utilities13, professional services, preparing your items for the move—our team got it all covered here.

8 Weeks Out: Schedule an In-Home or Virtual Estimate

• Now is the time to reach out for a moving estimate. Schedule an appointment for a move representative to view your residence (either in-person or virtually), discuss your move details and prepare a moving quote.
• If your organization is paying for your move, refer to their moving quote policy to determine what services your employer will cover.
• Do you intend to do any of the packing yourself—or will you have it done by our pack crews? We are eager to discuss all the packing options with you.
• Show your move representative everything that’ll be moved. Any items you don’t disclose or that are added later to the shipment will increase the cost, even if you have been given a binding moving quote.
• Review the “Your Rights and Responsibilities” to make certain that you understand the extent of your liability.

7 Weeks Out: Sign your estimate and book your move

• Approve your moving quote| only after you comprehend the paperwork. If you have concerns, be sure to ask your sales representative. We want to provide all the help that you may need.
• Confirm your moving day and reconfirm your moving plan when you officially book your move.
• Keep the contact number and title of your relocation specialist accessible, and feel free to seek information or ask for more relocation advice.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

• To ensure your mail gets to your new address, notify the post office that you’re moving. You can complete an online Change of Address form on the United States Postal Service website.
• Update your address with your banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, and magazines.
• Update your information with doctors, attorneys, financial planners, and other service providers.

5 Weeks Out: Determine what to toss, sell or give away

• Look through every space in your house to sort through what will move with you and what will not.
• Host a yard sale to sell any unwanted items.
• Donate your excess clothing, furniture or other home decor (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your favorite Chicago charities. Don’t forget to grab donation receipts showing the items’ value for possible tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, start now so you are not panicked at the end. Some items that are great to start with are books, out of season clothes, decorative items.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Advise your relocation specialist if you add or subtract items from your planned moving quote or if there are any updates to your moving schedule.
• Be sure that your moving contact has your new address and phone number where you can be reached.
• Verify that your moving contact knows of any additional stops needed to collect or drop off items to a alternate site – ensure this is part of your moving quote.

3 Weeks Out: Prepare your friends and family

• Take your family for final visits to some of the places that hold happy memories.
• Throw a farewell party for the children and their friends.
• Enjoy yourself… an outdoor barbecue. Keep it simple.
• Make family travel reservations. Reserve lodging and airline tickets as needed.
• If you're driving, have your auto mechanic check out your car. (check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.).
• If you are flying, make sure you have your tickets and other necessary transportation booked.
• consider about what things you will have to have for the trip and for your first night in your new home. Put them in a separate area so they won’t accidentally get packed.
• You have to properly dispose of flammable things such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Drain gasoline from your power mower and other yard equipment and be sure all caps are secure. Disposve of partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other substances that may be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that could leak. Please read the complete list of non-allowables.
• Dispose of propane tanks for barbecues.
• Arrange to have utilities disconnected. Plan to keep utilities available through moving day.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they’re returned from the cleaners.
• Get a written appraisal for your antiques. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving because some products may soften the wood, making it vulnerable to being damaged.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture can result in mold if furniture must be placed in storage.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

• Make sure you have arranged transportation for your pets. If you need to kennel them or leave them with pet-sitters, confirm those plans now.
• Bring your pets to the vet and ensure you have any required health certificates or shots – every state has specific requirements.
• Retrieve anything you had laundered, stored or repaired.
• Clear out your locker at the club, pool hall or other facility.
• Give back anything you have borrowed from neighbors, including library books.
• Retrieve any recurring prescriptions that may be ready.
• Be sure you have not forgotten any of the essential belongings.
• Have you packed or disposed of everything that’s not being moved? Be sure to advise your relocation specialist to see if that affects your moving quote.
• Have you confirmed all the specifics with your move coordinator?

1 Week to go: Last minute details

• Double-check that all mechanical and electrical equipment is properly serviced for shipping prior to the coming of the vehicle. As usual, reach out to your move coordinator with any concerns.
• Continue packing, selling, and preparing your stuff accordingly.

One Day Away

• Point out any extra-fragile items needing special attention. If certain things shouldn’t be packed or moved, tag them appropriately. Post-it notes work well for this!
• Tag any items or boxes you’ll want first when the truck unloads at your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you’re packing yourself, make sure everything is prepared before moving day. Upon arrival, the van operator will look to make sure boxes have been secured properly.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, collect things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and organize them in separate groups.
• Disconnect all electronic appliances 24 hours prior to the move, except older plasma televisions, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos and audio/video equipment.

Moving day

 

• Make it a point to be on hand to see that all of your things are loaded; remain close by until loading is complete. After making a final tour of the house, inspect and sign the inventory. Get your inventory copy from the moving company and put it in a safe place.
• Your move coordinator will check in with you on load day to ensure your expectations are being met. Keep your smartphone handy!
• There will be some required paperwork on the big day:
• High-Value Inventory Form: complete and sign stating if any items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment.
• Bill of Lading: states the terms and conditions under which your items will be moved and is also your receipt for the shipment.
• Be sure toet the van operator know how to contact you, including contact numbers, email address, and destination address, pending the arrival of your belongings at your new home.

Take a last look around

• Is the water shut off?
• Are the furnace and air conditioner switched off?
• Did you switch off light switches turned off?
• Are all utilities arranged for disconnection?
• Are the windows closed and locked?
• Have you turned in the old house keys?
• Have you left anything in small closets or cabinets?

Delivery day

• Make sure to be available to accept delivery. If you are unable to be there physically, be sure you authorize an adult to be your proxy to accept delivery and pay any applicable charges for you.
• Having two adults present is preferred for delivery. One can direct the crew and answer questions, the other may solely be in charge of marking off the inventory and ensuring all items have been delivered.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will attempt to contact you by phone and may visit your new home if they are unable to reach you. If you or an authorized individual are unable to accept delivery of your belongings within the allocated time (i.e., two hours) you may request additional time until the delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they’re unloaded. If there are any discrepancies in the condition of your property from what is noted on the inventory, mark discrepancies on the van operator’s version of the inventory. When you sign the inventory, you’re acknowledging receipt and condition of all items listed.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including the laying of rugs and re-assembling any beds taken apart at origin.
• It always helps to have a guide. Place a map of your new home near the entrance, which the movers can use to figure out where each piece of furniture goes.
• Keep all documents associated with your move in a safe place. You will need them for claiming moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To prevent damage, leave appliances and electronics turned off for about 24 hours while they come up to new room temperatures.

Settling in: one week after move

• It is time to make it official! Check in with your new post office for any mail being held and ask for mail delivery to start.
• Check state (and local) requirements for vehicle registration and a driver's license.
• You could consider to select an attorney to discuss regulations that pertain to your destination state, county and/or city. Be sure to cover such matters as wills, transfers of property, and investment laws, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, tax regulations, etc. Most laws take effect as soon as residence in the new state and city is established.