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A Special Checklist Just for Movers
How soon are you moving? Immediately | 1–10
days | 10–30 days | 30–60 days
30–60 Days Before Your Move
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Select your moving company and budget your move. Once you’ve decided on a moving company, obtain a written estimate and keep track of your budget throughout the move.
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Start your “move file.” A move file will help you keep track of all moving estimates, receipts, appointments, and other paperwork related to your move.
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Gather moving supplies. If they’re not being supplied by your moving company, now’s the time to start gathering boxes, tape, etc., for packing.
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Start an inventory of everything you’ll be moving. This is also the time to discard or donate any old belongings that won’t be going to your new residence. Call a local charity such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. You may qualify for tax benefits, and many charities will even pick up your donations, saving you time and effort.
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Check out your new community. Whether you’re moving out of Georgia or simply to a new neighborhood, now’s the time to familiarize yourself with local entertainment, shopping, and restaurants. You’ll also want to start researching new schools, doctors, etc.
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Notify your insurance company of your move. Not only will you need to switch your homeowner’s insurance, but also you should check to see whether moving is covered in your policy.
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Determine an exact “move date.” Then coordinate this date with your moving company.
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Make a list of everyone to notify of your move. Start your list early so you don’t forget anyone, such as utilities, family and friends, magazine subscriptions, banks, etc.
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Begin “using things up” that can’t be moved. Depending on where and how you’re moving, many things can’t be shipped, such as certain foods, cleaning products, bleach, etc.
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Make travel arrangements. Complete any necessary automobile or airline travel arrangements for you and your family.
10–30 Days Before Your Move
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Notify Georgia Natural Gas and other utilities of your move. Remember to have your natural gas, telephone, water, and electricity disconnected at your old location the day AFTER your move, and connect the same utilities at your new location the day BEFORE your move. You don’t want to risk not having utilities on the day of your move.
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Send change of address notices. Notify the post office, family and friends, magazines, financial institutions, and others from whom you get mail. You also can visit the U.S. Postal Service online to complete your change of address form.
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Start packing unneeded items. Begin packing the items you won’t need in the next few weeks. And remember to always label your boxes, so the movers know where to place them at your new residence.
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Identify the items that won’t be packed. Make a list of all items you’ll be taking with you and not packing. And if possible, begin gathering all those items and placing them together in one room.
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Review moving expenses. Obtain an itemized list and final estimate from your moving company to review and discuss before moving day arrives.
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Collect important documents. Make sure you’ve gathered all your important personal documents (such as wills, deeds, stocks, etc.) and keep them with you during your move.
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Close or open bank accounts. If you’re switching banks, now’s the time to close your current account and open a new one. You also should withdraw the contents of any safety deposit boxes.
1–10 Days Before Your Move
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Contact your moving company. Call your moving company to verify the date and time of your move. Also prepare specific driving directions to your old and new home, along with your travel plans and emergency phone numbers for the movers.
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Make plans for small children and pets. Moving day is chaotic enough, so make other arrangements for any small children and pets that day.
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Pack snacks. Prepare snacks or a meal. It will prove to be much easier than running out for food in the midst of the move.
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Clearly mark and pack items you’ll need immediately. Pack all items together that you’ll need as soon as you arrive, and clearly mark the box so the movers know to put this box on the truck last (e.g., “LAST BOX” or “UNPACK THIS FIRST.”)
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Keep key items in plain view. Place certain items so they will be easy to find during and after the move (check books, toiletries, alarm clocks, bills, etc.).
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Share your contact information. Ensure that you have given a phone number where you can be reached during the move to key friends, family members, real estate agent, etc.
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Confirm box removal. Contact the sanitation provider at your new location to inquire about their policy for removal of boxes and other move-related trash.
Moving Day
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Take your valuables with you. Don’t pack anything irreplaceable, such as photos, art, jewelry, etc. Take it with you in your car. And don’t forget about your plants!
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Supervise the work. It’s your home, so let the movers know what you want loaded first and last and any special handling requests.
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Keep track of your inventory slip and registration number. While most people are honest, it’s still a good idea to double-check all notations on your inventory list with the movers. You’ll also want to keep your registration number with you in case there’s a delay in the shipping.
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Conduct final walk-through. Once everything is loaded in the moving truck, conduct a final walk-through of the entire house to make sure nothing was left behind.
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Final cleaning. Once everything is out, it’s customary to give the house a final surface cleaning before the new residents move in. If you’re moving out of a rental property, you’ll want to thoroughly clean to ensure you receive your deposit back.
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Feed the workers. Have food and drinks available for movers to speed the loading and unloading processes.
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Be ready to clean up. Keep trash bags handy for last-minute clean-up.
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Unpack quickly. Have box cutters available to speed the unpacking process.
For more detailed information, select one of the following
choices, and you’ll be on your way to a smoother move:
New!: Georgia School Locator 
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