You may have moved three or five or even ten times in your lifetime – or this may be your first relocation. Depending upon how this move is planned, it can be an exciting experience or it can be extremely stressful. Paulieshouse.com has assisted individuals and families with moving information over a number of years to help ensure that the anticipated relocation goes smoothly and we offer the following information check list based upon a six week time line before your move:

Six Weeks Prior to Move

• Interview moving companies. You should obtain quotes from at least three different movers. If possible, get referrals from family or friends who have had good experiences in moving. If you are unable to get sufficient referrals, contact the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been made against any of the movers you are considering.
• Clean out your closets and your garage. Dispose of those items that are broken or unusable and donate the rest to charity. Many charitable organizations have trucks that they send out to pick up donating clothing and furniture.
• You may want to have a garage sale of any clothing or furniture you will not be donating to charity.
• Fill out Post Office Change of Address cards.

Four Weeks Prior to Move

• If applicable, make arrangements to have schools records transferred to your children's new school.
• Ask your doctor and dentist for medical and dental referrals in your new town.
• Arrange with your local utility companies to turn off your service one day after moving out of your old home.
• Make arrangements with utility companies in your new area to turn on your service one day before your move into your new home.

Three Weeks Prior to Move

• Obtain packing boxes in assorted sizes from your moving company.
• Begin packing your belongings. Start with infrequently used items that you will not need until the move into your new home is completed. Each moving box should be numbered. The number should be added to a master list according to contents of the box and the room where the individual box will be unpacked. In this way, all boxes that will be unpacked in the kitchen will be put in that room, all boxes for the master bathroom will be placed in that room, etc.
• Begin using up perishable items in your refrigerator that will not be replenished.

Two Weeks Prior to Move

• Contact credit card companies and advise them of your new address.
• Make arrangements with repair people and contractors for work that you want done in your new home.
• Contact insurance company to advise of new address and to transfer policies.

One Week Prior to Move

• If you will be driving to your new home, prepare a separate box that you will take in your car with important items necessary for the family's use upon arrival and that you will need for the first day such as soap, towels, bathroom tissue, tooth brushes, tooth paste, shampoo, Mr. Coffee, drinking water, paper cups and plates, etc.
• Cancel delivery of your newspaper.
• If necessary, arrange for child care on Moving Day.
• Your refrigerator should be cleaned out and allowed to air on the day before you move.

On Moving Day

• Check out all rooms to be sure nothing has been left behind.
• Supervise unloading of your belongings and be sure that all boxes and furniture have been removed from the truck.
• Be prepared to pay the movers with cash, Cashier's Check or Traveler's Checks unless you have made other arrangements.
• Before you sign off on the moving bill, be sure no items have been damaged.

Have a relaxing meal at a local 24/7 restaurant if possible to help you get ready for the task of unpacking. Good luck in your new home!

Contact us so that we can help your with your move.