Your Week-By-Week Moving Guide

As your moving day approaches, the pressure increases. Not only must you manage the hundreds of details involved when moving, including changing mailing addresses, hiring Moving Company and transferring utility services; you may have to deal with a new job, finding nearby grocery stores and more. The secret to a smooth, problem-free move is to plan everything in advance. We’re going to provide you with a quick week-by-week moving guide to help you manage a few important details.

5 Weeks Before

You need to visit your local Post Office and submit your change of address request. Don’t wait until the last minute to do this. It takes time for the Post Office to process the request.

4 Weeks Before

Begin making notes of the items you’ll throw away before your moving day arrives. Books, magazines, old CDs and furniture that you don’t need (and should have discarded long ago) should be at the top of your list. The less you have to move, the more time and effort you can save.

3 Weeks Before

Reserve your moving truck and movers. Some months are busy moving months. Be sure to make your reservation early. Also, start writing down the items you need to return or pick up such as library books, rented DVDs, shoes that are being repaired, etc.

2 Weeks Before

Call your utilities and other services to make arrangements for transferring services and changing your mailing address. This includes magazine subscriptions, cable TV and any company that sends you statements or bills.

1 Week Before

Buy all of your moving supplies so you can start packing early. Gather keys and garage openers from your neighbors and family members (you’ll have the replacements for them within a week). Also, call and confirm the reservation you made for your movers.

The Big Day Arrives

Make sure you’re at home waiting for the movers to arrive. Give them driving directions to your new home (many will already have directions, but provide them a copy of your own). Also, have cash on hand to tip your movers and a credit card to pay for their services (if you haven’t paid in advance). Planning helps ensure a problem-free move. If you follow the week-by-week moving guide above, you can prevent unanticipated disasters.