The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Eliminate Uncertainty with a Moving Plan

As the Pittsburgh moving leader, Corrigan Moving Systems is familiar with the best tips to stay organized during your upcoming move. We put together the Ultimate Moving Checklist to guide you leading up to the big day. From obtaining a moving estimate, to utilities, hiring professional services, preparing your items for the move—our team got it all covered here.

8 Weeks Out: Schedule an In-Home or Virtual Estimate

• It's the time to reach out for a moving estimate. Schedule an appointment for a move representative to view your home (either in-person or virtually), discuss your move particulars and prepare a moving quote.
• If your employer is paying for your move, refer to their moving quote policy to determine what services your employer will cover.
• Do you prefer to do any of the packing yourself—or will you have it done by our professional packers? We are eager to discuss all the packing services with you.
• Show your move representative everything that will be moved. Any items you do not disclose or that are added to the shipment later will increase the cost, even if you’ve been given a binding moving quote.
• Review the “Your Rights and Responsibilities” and be certain that you understand the extent of your liability.

7 Weeks Out: Sign your estimate and book your move

• Authorize your moving quote| only after you comprehend the paperwork. If you have questions, be sure to consult your moving consultant. We want to be of service to you.
• Secure your relocation date and confirm your moving schedule when you book your relocation.
• Keep the phone number and name of your relocation coordinator accessible, and feel free to ask questions or request more moving tips.

6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

• To make sure your mail gets to your new address, notify the post office that you are moving. You can fill out an online Change of Address form on the United States Postal Service website.
• Update your address with your financial institutions, insurance providers, credit cards, and magazines.
• Change your information with doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other service providers.

5 Weeks Out: Determine what to toss, sell or give away

• Look through every area in your house to sort through what will come with you and what will not.
• Host a yard sale to sell any unwanted items.
• Donate your excess clothing, furniture or other items for the home (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your preferred Pittsburgh charities. Don’t forget to grab donation receipts showing the items’ approximate value for potential tax deductions.
• If you are packing yourself, get started so you are not stressed at the end. Some items that are great to start with are books, off-season clothes, collectables.

4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

• Notify your relocation specialist if you change the list of items to be moved or if there are any changes to your move-in or move-out date.
• Be sure that your relocation specialist has your future address and contact number where you can be contacted.
• Make sure that your moving contact knows of any extra locations to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup or delivery points – confirm this is part of your moving quote.

3 Weeks Out: Prepare your friends and family

• Take the family for final visits to some of their favorite places that hold happy memories.
• Throw a farewell party for children and their friends.
• Celebrate… an open house. Keep it simple.
• Make family travel plans. Book lodging and airline tickets as needed.
• If you're driving, have your mechanic check out your car. (check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.).
• If you are flying, make sure you have your plane tickets and other necessary transportation booked.
• Think about what items you’ll need for the trip and for your first night in your new home. Set them aside so they don’t accidentally get packed.
• You must dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Empty gas from your lawnmower and other machinery and be sure all caps are secure. Disposve of partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other chemicals that could be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that could leak. Please read the complete list of non-allowables.
• Dispose of propane tanks for barbecues.
• Set a date for having utilities disconnected. Plan to keep utilities in service through moving day.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they’re returned from the cleaners.
• Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving because some of these products may soften the wood, making it susceptible to imprinting from furniture pads.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture could cause mold if furniture must be placed in storage.

2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

• Ensure you have made travel plans for your pets. If you need to board them or leave them with friends, verify those plans now.
• Take your pets to the vet and ensure you have all required medical documents or immunizations – every state has unique rules.
• Pick up anything you had laundered, stored or fixed.
• Empty your locker at the club, bowling alley or other facility.
• Give back anything you’ve loaned from friends, including library books.
• Pick up any auto-refilled prescriptions that may be ready.
• Make sure you have not overlooked any of the essential belongings.
• Have you packed or eliminated everything that isn’t relocating? Be sure to advise your relocation specialist to see if that affects your moving quote.
• Have you confirmed all the details with your relocation coordinator?

1 Week to go: Last minute details

• Double-check that all mechanical and electrical equipment is thoroughly checked for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving truck. As per usual, reach out to your coordinator with any questions.
• Keep getting your items ready for the move, selling, and preparing your belongings accordingly.

One Day Away

• Highlight any breakable items needing careful handling. If certain items shouldn’t be packed or moved, tag them clearly. Sticky notes work well for this!
• Mark any items or boxes you will want immediately when the truck arrives at your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).
• If you are packing yourself, make sure everything is prepared before moving day. When they arrive, the van operator will check to be sure boxes have been properly packed.
• If Corrigan is helping you pack, get things you definitely want packed together, such as children’s toys, and group them in separate groups.
• Disconnect all electronic appliances a day ahead of the move, except older plasma televisions, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos and audio/video equipment.

Moving day

 

• Make it a point to be there to make sure that all of your items are loaded; remain nearby until loading is finished. After making a final tour of the house, check and sign the inventory. Get your copy of the inventory from the van operator and store it securely.
• Your move coordinator will check in with you on load day to make sure your expectations are being met. Keep your smartphone handy!
• There will be some necessary paperwork on the big day:
• High-Value Inventory Form: complete and sign stating whether items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment.
• Bill of Lading: states the terms and conditions under which your belongings are moved and it also serves as your receipt for the shipment.
• Let the van operator know how you can be reached, including telephone numbers, email address, and new address, pending the arrival of your belongings at your new home.

Take a last look around

• Did you shut off the water?
• Are the furnace and air conditioner turned off?
• Did you switch off light switches off?
• Did you arrange for disconnection?
• Are the windows closed and locked?
• Have you turned in the old house keys?
• Did you leave anything in small closets or cabinets?

Delivery day

• Be present to accept delivery. If you cannot be there in-person, be sure you designate an adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay any applicable charges for you.
• Two adults present is optimal for delivery. One may direct the crew and answer questions, the other can solely be in charge of checking off the inventory and ensuring all items have arrived.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will attempt to contact you by phone and may visit your new home if they are not able to reach you. If you or an authorized individual are unable to accept delivery of your belongings within the allocated time (i.e., two hours) you can request additional time until the delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they are unloaded. If there are any discrepancies in the condition of your property from what is noted on the inventory, note the discrepancy on the van operator’s copy of the inventory. By signing the inventory, you’re acknowledging receipt and the condition of all items listed.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including the laying of rugs and setting up any beds taken apart at origin.
• It always helps to have a guide. Place a map of your new home by the entrance, which the movers can use to see where each piece of furniture should go.
• Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for claiming moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To prevent damage, leave appliances and electronics turned off for about 24 hours while they adjust to new room temperatures.

Settling in: one week after move

• It is time to make it official! Check in with your local post office for any mail being held and ask for mail delivery to begin.
• Check state (and local) requirements for car registration and a driver's license.
• You might want to select an attorney to discuss laws that pertain to your new state, county and/or city. Be sure to cover such matters as estate planning, transfers of property, and investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, taxes, etc. Most laws take effect as soon as residence in the new state and city is established.