Don’t Miss Important Steps During Your Moving Process

Magic Valley Home Search is a real estate agency in Twin Falls, Idaho that ensures that their clients’ moving plans are free from stress and any sort of hiccup. To make sure that all of your plans go smoothly, check out the moving checklist we’ve provided for you.

Making Sure That You Don’t Miss Any Important Details

In your excitement to move out of your old home, you might end up forgetting a few important details that might cost you more in the long run. Consult with our personal checklist just to be safe!

Plan Early! Planning everything last minute is often the reason for things being overlooked or left behind. Prepare a list of reminders that you can tick off once you’ve handled it to make the moving process smoother.
Prepare a File for Moving Expense Receipts and Paperwork. Some expenses you’ve accrued during the moving process may be tax-deductible or reimbursable by your employer. Be sure to keep all these records in an organized file, so you don’t lose anything.
Organize Important Records. Request medical records from doctors, dentists, and x-ray labs, as well as school transcripts and immunization records for your children. This will save you the time and effort of going back to your neighborhood to obtain these records after your big move.
Get Rid of Unneeded Items. We all have items in our home that we don’t need anymore, but still keep around for our own personal reasons. Consider selling or donating them to reduce your moving expenses and lighten the load.
Pack Least-Used Items First. Nothing is more stressful than realizing you need an item that you’ve already packed and sent to your new place. When packing, start with items you won’t need during the process like out-of-season clothing, kitchen gadgets, toys, and formal dinner china, among others.
Moving Services. Research moving companies and their available methods and choose the one that will meet your needs the best. Don’t forget to obtain moving insurance once you’ve chosen a company.
Notify Concerned Parties of Your Address Change. Besides your friends, family, and creditors, it may also be helpful to notify the IRS, social security, and state tax department of your moving plan. You can also provide a forwarding address to the US Post Office.
Schedule Dates for Utility Turn-Offs. Provide electric, water, gas, cable television, and newspaper companies turn-off dates and request any deposit returns, if there are any.

Food and Consumable Items. Start consuming the items in your food pantry and keep purchases on a need-only basis, so you can minimize packing and moving loads for perishable items and other canned goods.
Important Documents. Start cleaning out and discarding documents that you won’t need once you move into your new home. We advise packing them in the same box to avoid misplacing them during the move.
Vehicle Transport. Start soliciting estimates for vehicle transports and arranging schedules for them.
Record Keepsakes and Valuables. Before packing these items, you may want to take photographs of them to make sure they all make it to your new home. You can also opt to use protecting packing techniques or carrying them in your person to ensure their safety and security.
Pack a Travel Kit. If you will be driving to your new home, place important items like toothbrushes, extra clothing, and chargers in one place, so you can access them quickly.
Schedule Dates for Utility Turn-Ons. Arrange for electricity, water, phone, and other utility turn-ons at your new home ahead of time so you won’t end up in a dark, waterless house after a long drive.
Mover Estimates and Schedules. Solicit competitive estimates and reserve schedules for movers you have chosen. Read your bill of lading carefully and estimate its conditions properly. You can also be present during the loading and unloading process to ensure a complete and safe delivery.
Order Boxes and Packing Supplies. It might be wise to pack small items yourself for inventory control and save up on moving costs.

This provided list is only general reminders and suggestions. You can use our moving checklist forms to detail the schedules of different phases and add to them as you please.

Moving Timeline

Four weeks to go:

Call moving companies for a free estimate. Cost will vary depending on distance, weight and optional services.
Look through your house to determine items to be discarded or donated to charity. Have a garage sale!
Inform schools of transfer. Plan for enrollment/registration in new schools if necessary.
Most homeowner's policies do not provide adequate coverage for moving. Check with your agent and consider purchasing additional coverage from a moving company.
Collect boxes with covers if you plan to pack your belongings. You can purchase packing materials through moving companies or contact local grocery stores for extra boxes. Be sure to stock up on packing tape!
Begin consuming perishable and frozen food items to minimize waste.

Three weeks to go:

Begin packing!
Notify the post office of your new address and send change of address cards to friends, family, subscriptions and any billing companies.
Make necessary travel arrangements including interim housing and car rental. Be sure to record confirmation numbers.
Collect medical records and prescriptions from physicians. Ask for recommendations for doctors in your new area.
Place legal, medical and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.

Two weeks to go:

Arrange to disconnect utilities/services in your current residence and coordinate installation of utilities/services in your new home.
Close/transfer bank accounts and open accounts in your new city.
Take pets to the vet for immunizations. Ask for advice on moving animals.
Draw a map of your new home and where the furniture will be arranged.
Return library books and any borrowed items.
Be sure to cancel newspaper subscriptions and/or any special services you have (i.e., landscaping/lawn service, snow plow, etc.).

One week to go:

Prepare car for the trip. Check the oil, tires, brakes, etc.
Drain water from hoses.
Drain gasoline and oil from any lawn or power equipment.
Remember to pick up items sent to the cleaners or for repairs.

Days before:

Defrost and clean out refrigerator.
Pack your luggage and separate any items you will need in the first days in your new home (i.e., a current telephone directory - you may need to refer to it for calls to residents or businesses in your former hometown). Label these boxes "Load Last."
Reconfirm travel arrangements.
Reserve ample parking space for the movers and provide clear paths inside the house.

The big day!

Be on hand to answer any questions.
Go over your inventory with the driver.
Be sure to point out all FRAGILE items to the movers.
Check, double check and triple check to see if anything is left behind!
Do not leave the house until the movers are gone.

A few more thoughts:

Moving your computer - Make copies of all your files and software. If possible, pack your computer, monitor, and printer in their original boxes. If not, ask a moving company for boxes made especially for computers.
Inventory - Review inventory list.
Pack photographs between sheets and blankets in boxes for added protection.
At your destination consider hooking up the TV to occupy children until the truck is unloaded.
Enjoy your new home!

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