Moving Guide
In order to ensure you have a successful and stress-free move, you will want to begin preparing for your move in different stages. Cousins USA Moving & Storage suggests the following move calendar:
Table of Contents
- 12-9 Weeks Before Move
- 8-7 Weeks Before Move
- 6 Weeks Before Move
- 5 Weeks Before Move
- 4 Weeks Before Move
- 3 Weeks Before Move
- 2 Weeks Before Move
- 1 Week Before Move
- Items to Take Along
12-9 Weeks Before Move
- If you are being moved by your employer, verify what your company covers
- Establish preliminary dates for your move
- Make plans to sell your current home
- Contact a Cousins USA move coordinator to help plan your move
- Arrange to buy a new home at your new destination. If you are renting, seek out an apartment guide
8-7 Weeks Before Move
- Begin sorting out items you do not plan to move. Consider selling them or donating them to charity
- Contact the IRS or your accountant for information about any potential tax-deductible moving expenses
6 Weeks Before Move
- Finalize your new living arrangements, homeowners/renters insurance and finances regarding your new residence
- Assess job opportunities at your new destination for your spouse or children
- If your current bank does not have a branch in your new area, you’ll need to establish new accounts.
- Draft a floor plan of your new home and obtain room measurements
- Contact the utility company that services your new residence to transfer services into your name
5 Weeks Before Move
- Finalize pickup and delivery dates with Cousins USA Moving & Storage. If you need storage, contact Cousins USA now to make arrangements
- Take a look at Cousins USA Packing Tips, if you are planning on packing yourself
- Sort through belongings that you will not be bringing with you, items you are taking with you on the trip and everything else that goes with Cousins USA
- If you have high-value that you are shipping, obtain an appraisal and receipts
4 Weeks Before Move
- Visit www.usps.com to notify the postal service of your new address and do the same for friends, relatives and periodicals you are subscribed to
- Make plans for utilities, repairs and installations in your new home, if necessary
- Obtain forms for transferring driver’s license(s) and applying for credit
- Ask your current doctor and dentist offices for referrals to a new physician and dentist and to obtain dental and medical records to take with you
3 Weeks Before Move
- If you are packing yourself, begin now
- Make travel arrangements, such as interim hotel reservations and car rental
2 Weeks Before Move
- Return anything you have borrowed from friends or neighbors
- Relax! Take the time to say goodbye to some of the places you and your family loved. Have a “going away” party for the kids.
- Take care of financial matters such as: bills, stocks and investments
- Take pet(s) to veterinarian for proper care and get a copy of their records for your new veterinarian
- Transfer all bank accounts
- Drain oil and gasoline from power equipment.
- Have your car serviced before the trip
1 Week Before Move
- Transfer your prescriptions
- Arrange for delivery services to be discontinued, such as newspapers, etc.
- Start gathering those items that you are taking with you on your trip
- Pack luggage
- Defrost and dry refrigerator and freezer
- Obtain cash or travelers checks for trip expenses
Items to Take Along
Cousins USA offers some suggestions of what you may with you during the trip:
- Suitcases
- Important moving paperwork
- Credit cards, cash
- House and car keys
- Irreplaceable items, valuables
- Kids’ toys
- Pre-moistened towels
- Beverages
- Snacks
- Pet food and accessories
- Blankets and pillows
- First-aid kit
- Road maps
- Photo I.D.
- Car registration and insurance
