The first section of the pre-move checklist is the mechanics the move itself. Decide if you are doing the move yourself or if you want to hire a moving company. Using a moving company will greatly reduce the time, effort, and stress of your move. When choosing a moving company, check out their reviews and policies, and ask for an estimate. Once you have given them the dates of your move, they will arrange for their agent to survey the contents of your home. If you decide to do your own packing, start gathering packing materials, or you can have the moving company pack for you. Begin your packing with the items you use the least, and save the most essential items until the end.

The next section of your pre-move checklist will be for paperwork. First consider your utilities, like power, water, and telephone. Let the current providers know when you want the utilities shut-off. Your new home’s utility providers might require you to put down deposits, and you will need to let them know your move-in date. If you have children, arrange for their paperwork to be transferred from their old school to their new. It is also wise to get current phone numbers for your medical providers. When you start to choose your new doctors and dentists, you can have you previous doctor forward your records. As soon as you know your move dates, let the Post Office know by using their change of address card to avoid any delivery delays.

The third section of your pre-move checklist is about your new residence. A walk through will help you decide what needs to be done to make it livable. For example, are the smoke detectors in working order? Do you need to buy any shower curtains? If you want to paint any walls, it is best to do it before you move in. You can also create a floor plan at this time by measuring the rooms and deciding where you want to put your furniture. This will help the moving company to unload your furniture during the actual move.

The final section of your pre-move checklist will be for last minute details. It is very important to decide what items you must have immediately after you move, like toiletries, medications, pajamas, and an extra set of clothes. Do not pack these items in your boxes, but put them aside until you are ready to leave. You can put them in a piece of luggage or their own box and keep them with you. That way, when you are ready to go to sleep on the night of the move, you will not have to search frantically through your packed boxes trying to find some vital item.

Once you are done with your pre-move checklist, you can relax. You are prepared for the pleasures of your new home!