Bob EdwardsReal Estate Listings for Sale Abbotsford Langley and SurreyWalter Funk
Bob Edwards Real Estate Group
Real Estate For Sale, Abbotsford Residential Properties For Sale
Bob Edwards Real Estate Group

Getting Ready To Move

Things To Do Early

  • Secure a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep.
  • Solicit estimates from at least three moving companies.
  • Call your homeowners insurance agent to find out to what degree your move is insured.
  • Arrange to transfer your children's school records.
  • Decide what to donate to charity and what to take.
  • Notify your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
  • Store some things off site if necessary.
  • Locate high-quality health-care professionals and hospitals in your new location.
  • Send change of address to the following:
    • Banks
    • Charge cards
    • Doctors/dentist
    • Relatives and friends
    • Insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker
    • Magazines
    • Post office
    • Schools
  • Clean your closets.
  • Hold a moving/garage sale.
  • Choose a mover.
  • Contact your mover to make arrangements and confirm insurance coverage.
  • If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to see what costs, if any, they will cover.

Next On The List

  • Start packing boxes of things not needed short term and itemize their contents and which room they go to.
  • Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV etc., for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses.
  • Request refunds on unused homeowner's insurance, security deposit with landlord, and prepaid cable service.
  • Notify your gardener, snow removal service, and pool service (if applicable).
  • Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's, medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.

Less Than a Month To Go

  • Make your travel plans.
  • Arrange to close current bank accounts and open accounts in your new locale (if necessary).
  • Notify your Motor Vehicle Registration service of your new address.
  • Arrange for childcare on moving day.
  • For apartment dwellers, reserve the elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.
  • Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
  • Service your car for the trip.
  • Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move.

A Few More Days To Go

  • Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your moving company.
  • Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes.
  • Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their records.
  • Drain gas and oil from power equipment.
  • Give away plants not being moved.
  • Cancel newspaper delivery.
  • Buy two-weeks worth of medication and have your prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy.
  • Buy traveler's checks if moving long distance.
  • Make arrangements to pay for your move.

Two Days Until Moving Day

  • If you're not doing it yourself, have your mover pack.
  • Defrost refrigerators and freezers.
  • Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to family or friends to hold until the move is completed.
  • Disconnect all major appliances.
  • Separate First Night Items: Sheets, Towels, Toiletries, Phone, Alarm Clock, Change of Clothes, and Flashlight.
  • Mover's Survival Kit: Scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner, and aspirin or ibuprofen.

It's Moving Day!!

  • Be home to answer any questions your mover may have.
  • Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, and water).
  • Stay until your movers are finished.
  • Complete information on the bill of lading and carefully read the document and the inventory sheet before signing it.
  • Keep your copies of the bill of lading and inventory until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.
  • Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything.
  • Give movers the directions to your new home, and an emergency number where you can be reached during the move.

Finally, At The New House!

  • Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on hand to answer any questions.
  • Carefully monitor the unloading of your items and account for each one on your inventory sheet. Check carefully for any damaged or missing.
  • After the job is completed, pay what is owed.
  • Focus on unpacking and working on what you will need right away, first-night items and mover's survival kit.

Enjoy!