60 Day Moving Plan – Square Cow Movers Guest Post

Posted by Justin Havre on Tuesday, September 12th, 2017 at 2:44pm.

If there’s one thing you can do to make a move easier it’s starting the process well in advance. Most professional moving companies recommend that clients begin planning a few months before moving day to minimize stress and save money. To help you get a handle on making a smooth move, we’ve created a 60-day moving plan that hits all of the major milestones. 

60 DAYS BEFORE MOVING DAY

Start Researching Movers – Seriously. If you want to get the best moving company secured for a specific moving day you’ll need to line it up ASAP. 

Create a Packing List Plan – Prioritize your packing list so you can get started sooner rather than later.

Discuss the Move With Your Family – A move can come as a total surprise to some family members, especially kids. Give everyone in your inner circle plenty of time to prepare and get used to the idea of making a move. 

Start a File for Moving Documents – Keeping everything organized once you start going can be difficult. Starting a file for your moving documents now can help make the process easier. A scanning app can be useful for making an electronic version of paper documents that can be organized and archived. 

45 DAYS BEFORE MOVING DAY

Start Purging – Before packing it’s always best to go through your things and get rid of anything that you no longer need, no longer want or no longer works. The less you have the less you have to pack! 

Start Collecting Packing Supplies – The best way to save money on packing supplies is to start collecting them early. Keep an eye out on Craigslist and Freecycle for free moving boxes. 

Let Your Work and Kids’ Schools Know About the Move – If you’re relocating for a new job, now is the time to let your employer know. You’ll also need to let clients know if you’re a freelance consultant. Finally, contact your kids’ schools to let them know you’ll be moving and request to have their records transferred. 

30 DAYS BEFORE MOVING DAY

Have a Yard Sale – What are you going to do with all the things you purged? Start by having a yard sale. You can get rid of the things you no longer want or need and can make a little extra cash for your move. If you don’t have the green space for a yard sale put your high-ticket items on eBay and/or Craigslist. 

Donate Gently Used Items – The items that don’t get sold at the yard sale can be donated to a local charity. Don’t forget to get an itemized receipt for a tax deduction. 

Research Schools – If you have children, start researching your school options at least a month in advance. 

Find a New Primary Care Physical and Transfer Medical Records – If you’re moving out of town you’ll need to find another primary care physician. Start by asking your current doctor for recommendations and request a copy of all your medical records. As soon as you find another physician, request to have your medical records transferred. 

Line Up a Storage Unit – If you need to keep things in storage now is the time to line up a unit. 

21 DAYS BEFORE MOVING DAY

Start Packing – Three weeks may seem a little early, but it’s a good time to start packing the first things on your packing priority list. Seasonal items and garage goods can usually be packed well in advance. 

Start Exploring Your New Home and Neighborhood – If possible, spend a little time familiarizing yourself with your new home and neighborhood. This is definitely a good idea if you have pets or small children. 

Update Your Insurance Plan – Take stock of all the belongings that will be going with you. Next, contact your insurance company to make sure you’ve got adequate coverage for the move.

Change Your Mailing Address – You’ll need to give USPS at least a few weeks lead-time to start sending your mail to your new address. You can change your address online and skip the post office lines.  

14 DAYS BEFORE MOVING DAY

Update Your Online Accounts With Your New Address – After you change your address with the USPS, take a few minutes to update your online accounts with your new address. Be sure to update your credit card accounts, insurance plans, bank accounts and any other financial accounts.

Set Up Home Services – Find out who supplies utilities, Internet, cable and phone service in your new neighborhood. At least a couple weeks in advance, schedule to have your services set up a few days before moving day.

Schedule Service Shut Offs – This is also the time to let your current service providers know you’ll need to shut off service a day or two after your move. 

Take a Break – After weeks of preparing for your move, you deserve a break. Find something that you enjoy to do in your current town or neighborhood that you won’t be able to do at your new location. 

7 DAYS BEFORE MOVING DAY

Have a Going Away Party – Invite your friends, family and co-workers over for one last get together before crunch time. 

Plan Your Transport Route – Whether you’re moving across town or across country, it’s a good idea to consider your route options. If possible, it’s helpful to drive your preferred route ahead of time to watch for things like rough road conditions, traffic and low-hanging obstacles. 

Stop Grocery Shopping – Focus on using up the food you already have in your pantry and fridge since perishables can’t move with you. 

Get Prescriptions Filled – Getting prescriptions filled ahead of time will ensure you don’t have to go without your medication during the move.

3 DAYS BEFORE MOVING DAY

Follow Up With the Movers – Give your movers a call to verify that everything is still good to go for moving day. Ask if there’s anything you need to have on hand or need to do to get prepared. 

Pack Up Your First Night Box – The first night box has all the essentials you need for the first day or two after the move so you don’t have to unbox everything right away. For a list of suggested items, check out this advice on packing your first night box

1 DAY BEFORE MOVING DAY

Start Cleaning – Now that almost everything is boxed up and out of the way, it’s time to start cleaning. But you can skip the floors until after the move. 

Defrost Your Freezers – This is a step that many people forget, but your movers will appreciate. 

Do a Final Walk Through – Go through each room, closet and nook in the home to make sure nothing has been left behind and everything is ready to be moved!

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