Tag Archives: Moving Out Checklist

Things People Forget to Do Before They Move

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You packed everything perfectly, including that dining room chandelier, the big-screen TV, the vintage ’70s “Dukes of Hazzard” T-shirt collection. You even got your dog’s medical records from the vet. But something’s keeping you awake at night as your move draws nigh. You know you forgot something.

7 Things People Forget to Do Before They Move

Don’t worry, keep packing. We assembled this handy checklist of things people often forget to do—or don’t even realize they should take care of—so you can make sure you’re covered and can move and settle down in your new digs with ease.

1 month before: Cancel recurring charges

Taking care of a gym membership or other subscription services may fall by the wayside during the madness leading up to moving day. Worse, those recurring charges will keep mounting on your credit card while you’re in the throes of unpacking. Get a jump on canceling these at least a month before your last expected day of use, especially since many gyms require a 30-day notice.

Can’t get out of your contract or transfer your gym membership to a facility by your new home? Sell it through online classifieds such as GymTransfer (yes, most gyms allow this!). Don’t forget to unload any prepaid class cards, too.

On the flip side, important recurring charges on your credit card—such as mail-order medications—might be canceled if your address change hasn’t caught up with billing information. So compile a list of charges and make the effort to call these companies and give them a heads up to avoid disruption in service.

2 weeks before: Call your car insurance company

The Department of Motor Vehicles advises people in the process of moving to closely manage their car insurance during the transition, as states have varying levels of required coverage. Even if you’re staying in the same city, rates can differ from neighborhood to neighborhood. So call your insurer well before the move to find out the parameters and deadlines for updating coverage at your new address.

2 weeks before: Change your address early

Most people know the U.S. Postal Service offers an online form to quickly change an address for all of your mail, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute to fill it out.

1 week before: Organize your finances

Since losing track of bills among piles of boxes is all too easy, we recommend setting up systems before a move that can easily transition from old home to new. For monthly bills such as phone, rent, or mortgage, it can really help to set them up for autopay, which you can typically do through your bank or the billing company.

Whatever system you choose, decide which household member will be responsible for paying which bills. And as moving often incurs unexpected costs, be sure that you’ll have enough money in designated accounts at time of payment.

1 day before: Snap pictures of your electronics

Those cables in the back of your TV and modem that keep your life wired? They don’t make sense now and will make even less sense when they are tangled in a box. A simple solution is to snap a picture of the setup before you take your electronics apart—and coil the cords and label them with masking tape, for good measure.

1 day before: Pack your plants

Do you have a special plant (maybe that hydrangea you planted for your child’s birth or your mom’s prized azaleas)? To make sure you aren’t forced to leave it behind in your rush, make a list of what plants you want to take with you and put a plant plan in place. Don’t put your shovels into the moving van until the last minute—you’ll need them to carefully dig up root balls. Buy large buckets beforehand and use them to transport each plant.

1 day before: Stock a go-to box

Set aside one box for the first 24 hours in your new home. Pack paper towels, cleaning supplies, clean sheets, towels, paper plates and silverware, toilet paper, and maybe even a bottle of bubbly to celebrate all your hard work, picnic-style.

Final Moving Out Checklist

Moving Out Checklist

Final Moving Out ChecklistThese are the final few steps that you should take when you are moving out of an apartment or home. This ensures that you don’t leave anything left over when you leave, and that you are protect yourself financially from potential squatters.

  • Check the utility meter. Make note of the levels of the utility meter for your home as you leave. The best way to do this is to take a picture of the meter with a date. That way, if you are billed for the next tenant you have evidence of your last use of the utilities.
  • Leave a note for the tenants moving in. Give them your new address just in case of any incoming mail you hadn’t redirected yet, or if someone calls you at your old house number.
  • Check all of your rooms and closets on your way out. People often leave things high up in their closets, tucked away and forgotten. Check your wall cabinets in the kitchen as well; high cabinets also end up having left over items as well.
  • Check behind furniture you are leaving behind. If you are leaving an apartment with furnishings, check behind couches and tables for extension cords, phone chargers, and whatever else may have fallen back there.
  • Unplug your fridge and leave the door open so that no mold collects.

Moving is a struggle, but with the right preparation the process isn’t so bad. For questions about packing and moving services in your area, contact us today !