MOVING CHECKLIST

• Review your relocation package if you have one, and determine what expenses will be paid by your company.
• Start a log of moving expense receipts (some many be tax deductible)
• Get written estimates from moving companies. Include their written commitment of pickup and delivery dates. Check the limits of insurance that they offer, and if it covers replacement costs. Purchase additional insurance if necessary.
• Arrange for storage facilities – if required.
• Contact your bank and arrange for transfer of accounts if necessary, order cheques with new addresses, clean out safety deposit boxes.
• Submit change of address forms. Mail postcards to friends and family.
• Give day care centre proper notice of withdrawal.
• Contact schools and arrange for transfer of students records.
• Contact your doctors for medical records and possible referrals to new physicians.
• Change your insurance policies on property, auto and medical.
• Organize all important documents in a fire-safe box. Some things you want to include are school records, home purchase/sale agreements, will, marriage / divorce papers, pet documents, financial records, stock certificates, birth certificates and passports.
• Give notice of resignation to any clubs, organizations or volunteer activities you belong to.
• Cancel newspaper subscriptions.
• Arrange for hotels, rental cars or temporary housing if needed.

 2 weeks before the Move 

• Take ruthless walk-through to determine what you really want to take.
• Tag the rest of it and hold a garage sale; or call a charity for pick up.
• Clean out club, gym and school lockers; pick up all drycleaning.
• Arrange for disconnection or changeover of utilities.
• Have measurements taken of the rooms in your new residence and use floorplans to determine where everything will go. 
• Begin packing less used items.  Number and label each box, and keep an inventory.  For more valuable information, see packing tips.
• Retrieve and return all borrowed items from neighbours and friends, return library books.
• Clean out cupboards and plan remaining meals so you can pack what you don’t need, and don’t buy any more perishables than you have to.

 1 week before the move 

• Make an inventory list of all items going with you personally.  Keep valuable and irreplaceable items such as jewellery and heirlooms with you, not movers.
• Confirm arrangements and dates with moving and storage companies.
• Confirm arrangements with auto and pet transporation companies.
• Confirm hotel, rental car or temporary housing accommodations.
• Clean out and defrost the deep freeze.
• Disassemble furniture and other items.
• Be sure to check yard and sheds for items to pack.
• Inform all friends and relatives of your forwarding address.  If your phone service won’t be instantaneous, arrange for a temporary voice mailbox.
• Take pictures of furniture or get fabric samples for anything you will want to reference for colour or decorating before the goods are delivered to your new home.
• Set aside a box of cleaning supplies and the vacuum cleaner.
• Begin making a “Survival Box” for the move.  This should include paper, pens, stamps, envelopes, cellophane and heavy duty tape, scissors tape measure, paper cups, ziplock bags, paper plates and towels, plastic utensils, facial and toilet paper, instant coffee or tea, sugar and coffee creamer, soap, moist towelettes, aspirin, bandaids, can opener, bottled water, travel alarm, flashlight, small tools kit, trash bags, snacks and drinks, children’s games, address book, spare car keys, phone books for the city you are leaving and for your destination.

1-2 days before you leave 

• Clean and defrost refrigerator.
• Purchase travellers checks for trip expenses.
• Reconcile and close bank accounts, unless you will be using another branch of the same bank.
• Conclude financial matters relating to the sale or lease of your home.
• Movers or your family should complete packing of all household goods for the move. Make sure all boxes are clearly marked.
• Confirm delivery address, directions and delivery date with the movers.
• Carefully supervise the move.  Make sure boxes are clearly marked and your instructions are understood.
• Clean you home and check entire grounds before leaving.
• Turn off the geyser and thermostat.  Make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked, and all extra appliances are turned off.  Leave forwarding address, garage door openers and any keys, if agreed to, to the new owners or renters.
• If your home is going to be vacant when you leave, make sure a relative, estate agent, neighbour or friend has the keys and are able to contact you.  Also, notify your insurance agent and police department that the home is empty.

Arrival Day

• Check to make sure that all utilities are on and working properly.

• Let family or friends know you have arrived safely.  Check in with your employer and real estate agent to confirm itineraries.

• Supervise moving crew on location of furniture and boxes.  Begin unpacking necessary basic first – basic kitchen utensils, bath toiletries, etc.

• Give the kids a job to do – let them start their rooms.  Usually, the kitchen and the kids rooms are the best to set up first, as it helps them feel at home.

• Go over the Bill of Landing from the moving company very carefully before signing; check for damaged goods first, as this is usually binding once signed.

Now relax, order dinner out, and take a long hot bath…….you deserve it!!!!!

 Packing Tips 

• Label each box with the room it belongs in and its contents.
• Drain all fluids from power and yard tools so they won’t leak. Dispose of ll corrosive and volatile chemicals such as oil, antifreeze and gasoline.
• After cleaning the refrigerator, allow the door to remain open for a while to decrease the humidity in the appliance.  Place a piece of coal or a layer of baking soda inside to prevent mildew and musty smells.
• Pack a safe or fireproof box with important records such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical records, school records, passports, per records, credit card and banking details, tax returns etc.
• Use strong containers and twine packing tape.
• Try not to exceed 20 kgs in each packed container.
• Place heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top.
• Protect finished surfaces with paper to avoid marks and scratches.
• Use plenty of padding (clean crumpled paper, bubble wrap etc) to cushion contents.  Recycle materials as much as possible.
• Pack containers tightly to avoid shifting.
• Fragile items should be packed with extra care in their own compartmentalized boxes.
• Wrap electric items individually before packing and cushion well.
• Make certain all liquids and foodstuffs are in sealed containers.
• Don’t overload chests and dressers with clothing and linen items. This could cause furniture joints to separate and collapse.
• Do not wrap lamp shades in newspaper; the ink can rub off and stain them.  Wrap them in sheets or towels.
• Once you vacate your property, any fixtures or items left behind become the property of the new owner.  Make a “extra” final sweep.
• Have a master inventory list of all boxes and their contents, according to the rooms.
• If you’ve hired a moving company, let them pack mirrors, furniture and pictures to prevent rubbing and possible breakage.

How to avoid the top 10 relocation headaches

 

 Number 10           Not having enough details and demographics about you new hometown.

Gather as much information as possible about your new destination, from sources such as Executive Mobility, location magazines, websites, etc

 

 Number 9             Not having you home priced and showable for selling

Check you home thoroughly for all needed repairs before listing it for sale.  Pay attention to details such as gapped caulking, chipped tiles, paint….it’s often said that little things that potential buyers will notice. Have your home professionally cleaned, including carpets.

 

Number 8             Poor research of what your money can buy you in your new city

Many factors such as differing salary, cost of living, taxes and housing costs affect what the Dollar/Euro/Pound can buy in different countries.

 

Number 7             Not getting a mortgage / bond pre-qualification letter before house-hunting

While prequalifing with a mortgage/bond company doesn’t provide final loan approval, it does give you a realistic price guideline and shows sellers that you are a serious and qualified buyer. Another valuable tool is your credit rating…its smart to see what it contains – clear up any inaccurate information before pre-qualification.

 

 Number 6             Not protecting yourself with the best home inspection possible

This goes for both the home you are selling and the one you are buying, although who pays for the inspection (buyer or seller) is negotiable in each separate contract.

 

Number 5             Not setting up adequate interim housing between destinations

When you first arrive in your new town, you’ll most likely need to find temporary housing arrangements until you can close and move into a new home, or find a temporary rental.

 

Number 4             Your spouse having difficulty with a career transition

If your spouse had to quit his or her job for the relocation, or if both are looking for new opportunities via the move, the economic and emotional well-being of the family.  Most people fail to utilise and take advantage of the resources available for their career needs.  The key to this endeavour is building and cultivating a networks of contacts.  This network can be started with family and friends and grow from their.

 

Number 3             Difficulty finding the best schools and daycare providers in the new city.

Families considering a relocation are wise to place the quality of their children’s education and care at the top of their priority list.  Evaluating schools and child care options of each neighbourhood before you make the final housing choice is important.

 

Number 2            Children feel lost and experience a wide range of emotions during a relocation. They may feel sad and angry about leaving their friends and familiar surroundings.  Moving can be a traumatic or a positive experience, and how often we present and handle it is what swings the pendulum one way or another.  Often we, as adults, are under so much stress and have so many details to handle during a relocation that we can become too focused on what needs to be done.  The temptation is to get settled in as soon as possible so that the family will feel at home in their new surroundings; but taking time to talk with your children about their feelings and allowing them to adjust is vital.

 

Number 1             Being hit with a case of “culture shock” after your move.

When people are physically removed from their cozy secure existence and transplanted into another culture, the changes can be traumatizing.  Culture shock can manifest itself in headaches, stomach aches, impatience, difficulty sleeping and possible anger.  These feelings can and do pass in time; if they do not; consider seeing a doctor.