Tips for Planning Your Move

1. Moving Companies: research and get recommendations for different moving companies, get multiple quotes, and then schedule them about 6-8 weeks before you move.

2. Get Insured: Look into whether your moving company or homeowner insurance policy will cover your belongings during the move. If not, buy additional coverage.

3. Get Organized: start sorting through your possessions and decide what you are going to keep, donate, sell, or throw away.

4. Get Supplies: purchase and/or collect boxes, newspaper, packing tape, labels and markers.

5. Pack your items by room and make sure to label your boxes accordingly (using a color coding system can be helpful).

   1. Keep your toiletries, medications, and clothing separate and easily accessible (use suit cases to pack items you will need right away).

   2. Include your kids in your moving strategy – let them plan their new bedrooms and help you pack.

   3. Your pets are moving too. Keep their food, water, collars, leashes, favorite toy and bed nearby.

   4. Valuables: hand carry your valuables and important documents in a fire-safe box.

   5. Keep essentials close on hand: tape, scissors, utility knife, hand soap, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, toilet paper, flashlight, batteries, snacks, water, cups, plates, napkins.

6. Update Your Information: share or change your address with friends, family, employers, schools, U.S. postal service, financial institutions, insurance companies, physicians/professional services, department of motor vehicles, state/federal tax bureaus, clubs and memberships, subscriptions, etc.

7. Stop and Start Services: Determine stop and start dates for utilities like water, electricity, gas, trash, internet, etc.