14 Mar 2008 02:22:53 | Lee Dobbins
Moving is a chaotic and stressful time. There’s so many things
to arrange, having utilities switched, signing up the kids for a
new school, scheduling the movers, packing the house. With all
the other things you do it’s not easy to find the time to get
everything done!
Using a checklist of tasks, can help keep you organized and make
sure you don’t leave out an important moving task. I suggest
that you start the list well in advance – a month or more before
the move. Just jot a few things down and then leave the list on
the kitchen counter or fridge where everyone can see it. As you
think of new things to add, write them down right away or it
might be too late when you think of them again!
As the time for the move grows closer, you may want to transfer
the list to a calendar format. Some of the items like notifying
the phone company, will be things you can do in advance so you
can assign those a date and then each day check the calendar to
see what tasks need to be done. Cross off those that you have
accomplished and you can easily see what is left to do. This
method also works well if you are delegating some of the items
on the list – you can add the name of the person responsible
next to the task and this will avoid any last minute “but I
though you were going to do that….” problems.
When the day of the move comes, you’ll probably still have
plenty left on your to do list so make sure that it’s the last
thing you pack up on your way out and the first thing you unpack
at your new home. You’ll probably need to add tasks that are
specific to your situation, but some common items on your to do
list might include:
oRent crates, buy boxes and get packing material – this can be
done in advance oPack unnecessary items like knick knacks and
anything you can do without until after the move – getting this
stuff out of the way ahead of time will make moving day easier
oGet your new house inspected oPut your pay stubs, bank
statements and other documentation in a folder for your loan
officer oArrainge for utility shut off / reconnect for phones,
lights and gas oNotify business associates, friends and family
of change of address and new phone numver oPut your new address
and phone on checks and business cards oSchedule a final walk
through to inspect your new house oFix any items that came up in
final walk through for your old house oGet a cerified check to
bring to your closing (most banks require this and you’ll really
screw up the works if you show up with a personal check) oRent a
moving truck (and movers unless you are moving yourself)
oSchedule move out cleaning so your house is clean for the new
owners oSchedule your pets to go to a friend or kennel on the
day of the move
Having a moving checklist won't magically make everything happen
right but it can help to make things run a little more smoothly!
About Author :
Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of Moving And More!
where you can learn everything about moving including getting
your house ready for sale, buying a new house, finding a new
job, and getting a mortgage.
