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7 weeks

Notify home service providers of your upcoming move date and start to set up new home services in your new community. It's time to contact all of your current home service providers to cancel services, including:

Security Services
House Cleaning Services
Lawn Care
Cable or Satellite TV Services
Utilities (Water, Electricity, Phone, Etc.)
In addition, remember to create a list of all of your credit card companies, insurance providers, and other creditors. Remember that you must notify each company of your move date and your new address.

6 weeks
Start to plan a garage sale to sell your unwanted possessions. Moving to a new home can be great motivation for turning your trash into cash. Whether you call it a garage sale, yard sale, or moving sale, the idea is to finally clean out the garage, basement, closet or attic that's been harboring all that stuff you haven't used, and maybe haven't even seen, for years.

If you're moving into a smaller home, a sale of some sort may be a necessity. If you have a lot to dispose of, you might even want to consider an auction or estate sale run by estate sale professionals. Remember that donating items to charities can not only help lighten your load but can also result in a tax deduction.

5 weeks
Decide who will pack boxes and if self-packing locate packing supplies. Your professional moving company will have a wide variety of packing supplies and can offer valuable packing advice. Your mover can also provide full packing services. If your considering packing boxes yourself, be sure to visit MoveOut.com.

Remember that, although having the moving company pack boxes costs extra, having your mover pack all of the boxes can save you time, trouble, and assures that the mover will be fully responsible for any damage that might occur to the contents of packed boxes.

4 weeks
It's time to start packing! On move-in day you'll need to instruct the delivery crew where to place each piece, so you should label all boxes with the name of the room in which they belong. Make sure you label your boxes on two different sides in case boxes are stacked one on top of another. In addition, it's wise to label each box with a brief description of its contents on the side.

Don't use boxes that are too big as they will be heavy and more likely to burst.

Make certain all boxes are packed full and tight. Half-full boxes may crush when stacked which could damage the contents.

It's wise to pre-pack seasonal items and toys that you and your family won't be using until after your move. If you are moving in the summer, pre-pack winter items; if during the cooler months, you can pack away your family's summer clothing.

3 weeks
Get your finances, documents, and valuables in order and remember to save all the receipts related to your relocation. Consider a compact, fireproof lockbox to keep with you while traveling. Keep important papers (such as birth certificates, insurance papers, stock certificates, deeds, wills, etc.), jewelry, and other valuables inside. Don't leave your valuables inside your car while staying in hotels; always keep these items in your possession when traveling.

In addition, now is a good time to consult your tax professional for moving related deductibility rules. Remember to save all of your receipts during your move, including bills for professional movers, hotels, meals, gas and other move-related expenses.

2 weeks
Start to inform the necessary people of your new address and telephone number. Send your new address and phone number to family and friends. Or, if you're planning a farewell party, now is the time to send the invites. Visit the United State Postal Office for more moving info.

1 weeks
Prepare your computer and electronics for move. If possible, pack your computer and electronic components in their original boxes. If not, we can offer appropriate packing materials. Be sure to back up data files or your entire hard drive. Store back-ups with your other valuables.

Begin packing valuables. Jewelry, watches, etc., should be taken with you, not shipped with the rest of your belongings. Remember not to leave valuable items unattended in your car.

Making an Inventory
Know what goes into each box and make sure the head of the moving crew legibly and accurately inventories each item as it's loaded. Review the list before signing the bill of lading. This is your contract with the mover, which sets out what services you are paying for. Read both documents carefully. Keep the contract and inventory to check off items as they come off the truck at your new home.

 
Cats and Dogs Moving your pet - Integrity Move Management
If you take your pets in your car remember to take along Food, Water, A leash for letting your pet out of the car, and Newspaper or sheets to keep your car clean. Animals can get car-sick and will require frequent stops along the way. Also, check ahead to see if the hotel where you are staying allows pets. Depending on the animal's temperament and size, it might be better to have it shipped by air. Be sure to check if your destination has any local requirements or restrictions on animals.

To have your pet shipped by air, make sure someone can meet your pet at the destination airport and take care of it until you arrive. A kennel can do this for you and keep your pet until you have completed your move, if necessary. If you are flying to your new destination, your cat or dog can ride in the baggage compartment. You may need a Health certificate which can be obtained from your veterinarian. A pet container and tranquilizers to be given to your pet immediately before going to the airport. Your pet can be comforted by having a piece of cloth with your scent on it.

Packing Made Simple

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  - Separate your boxes by size, and place appropriate size boxes in each room.

  - Have all supplies (i.e. tape, bubble wraps, packing paper) lined up next to your boxes when packing.

  - Pack one room at a time, marking each box with a description of its contents and destination (i.e. kitchen, master bath).

  - Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in large boxes. Keep weight of boxes reasonable. Group items of similar size and weight.

  - Wrap heaviest items first with bubble wrap or packing paper and place on bottom of box. - Wrap lighter items with same and place on top of heavier items, separated by bubble.Fill all voids with packing paper or bubble wrap to prevent shifting.

  - Double box fragile items and fill voids between boxes with packing paper or bubble cushioning to avoid shifting.

  - Use "FRAGILE" labels on boxes with breakable items. This will alert movers to handle with care.

  - When making boxes, reinforce the bottom of all boxes with 2" packing tape. Start by taping the seam where the two flaps meet, leaving 4' of overlap on each side. Add two more strips in the same direction, on both sides of your first strip, approximately half way between your strip and the edge of the box. For additional reinforcement, add two perpendicular strips equidistant from each other and the edge of the box. Use a tape dispenser to make the job easier.

  - Fill each box as much as possible using packing paper to fill empty space to prevent shifting and breakage.

  - Make sure tops and sides of boxes do not bulge or sag. Under-packed boxes may collapse and over-packed boxes may rupture.

  - For books, lay flat and alternate bindings to prevent damage.

  - Pack plates on their edges in double wall corrugated dish boxes. Dish/Glass Dividers (also known as cell packs) will help keep these items safe and organized.
  Bubble wrap your fragile items. Small bubble is recommended for smaller, lighter weight items. Large bubble (more air in bubbles) is recommended for larger, heavier weight items. For added protection, line your box with bubble before packing.

  - To keep large items clean and sanitary, use mattress bags, furniture bags, and stretch wrap.

  - Use moving blankets to wrap furniture, appliances, TV's, or other large objects.

  - Use only strong, corrugated carton boxes with covers. The added strength may avoid damage that results from the use of poor-quality packing materials.

  - Collect old newspapers for use in packing, but remember that ink may rub off and stain clothing or other items.

  - Keep in mind that insect eggs and insects can travel in food boxes.

Here's a list a packing supplies that will come in handy:

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  Plastic bags and labels for easy identification.
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  Foam peanuts, styrofoam pellets or "popcorn."
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  Tissue or craft paper for delicate packing jobs.
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  Corrugated paper rolls for figurines and fragile items.
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  Gummed tape (1 1/2 to 2 inches wide) and/or strong twine for sealing cartons.
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  Markers and labels for identifying contents of cartons.
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  Notebook and pencil for carton identification log.
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  Scissors and/or sharp knife.
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Arriving at your New Home

-Renew your driver's license, auto registration and tags.

-Shop around for new insurance polices, especially auto coverage.

-Revise your will and other legal papers to avoid longer probate and higher legal fees.

-Locate the hospitals, police stations, veterinarian and fire stations near your home.