Moving Out Checklist

Start pulling together medical and dental records including prescriptions and vaccination records. If necessary, ask your existing doctors if they can refer you to a care provider in your new neighbourhood

If you have children and they need to change schools, have school records transferred to their new school district and/or daycare

Call your insurance agent to see what changes to expect in your policies for changing locations. Ask if moving is covered and arrange for insurance for your new home

Get copies of any legal and financial records you need

If you are a member of a gym or an organization, ask how you can end, sell, or transfer your membership

Make a list of things that are valuable or difficult to replace. Plan on shipping these by certified mail or carrying them with you

Start planning a yard sale or contact your local charities

Make a list of friends, relatives, and businesses who need to be notified of your move

Start working your way through each room taking inventory, deciding what to get rid of

Think about subscribing to the newspaper in your new hometown to start learning about events and the local culture

Start collecting boxes and other packing supplies

Plan ahead for parking for the move, making sure that your movers are able to easily access your home

Start packing items you don’t use often. Also start disposing of the items you’ve designated for a yard sale, donation, or the junk yard

File a change of address

Call your newspaper courier and set a date to cancel your subscription

Make any necessary travel arrangements for your pets

Make sure all library books have been returned and all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up

Dispose of flammables, corrosives, and poisons

Retrieve any items out on loan to friends, etc...

If you are moving out of town, have your automobile(s) serviced

Decide if you will keep your plants or give them away

Prepare auto registration to be transferred

If you are moving into or out of an apartment, arrange to use the elevator on your move day

Contact your bank and/or credit union to transfer or close accounts. Clear out safety deposit boxes and notify creditors of your move

Plan meals for the last week of the move to help empty the refrigerator and avoid using appliances that will already be packed

Confirm travel arrangements for pets and family

Assemble a folder of important information about the house for the new owner of your home

Confirm parking for your mover

Finish packing and prepare an “essentials” box. Designate several boxes and items as “last load” items. Pack your suitcases and valuables separately

Empty, defrost, and clean your refrigerator at least 24 hours before moving day

Drain all gas and oil from your mower and other motors. Gas grills, kerosene heaters, etc...need to be emptied as well

Fill any prescriptions or medications you will need for the next couple of weeks

Drain water hoses

If necessary, make childcare arrangements for moving day

Notify friends and family of your new address and phone number

Load your goods in a pre-designated order, saving “last load” items for the rear of your shipment. This might include your vacuum cleaner or bed sheets

Take note of utility meter readings

Check every room, closet, and cabinet one last time before deciding everything is loaded

Leave a note with your new address in the house so that future residents can forward any stray mail

Let a friend or family member know of your plans and whereabouts in case of an emergency or unforeseen event