Talk with your sales representative to discuss tentative walk-through and closing dates. It is extremely important that you stay in frequent contact with your sales representative to verify these dates. With the complexity of building your home and our desire to make sure that every component of your new home is up to our standards of quality, these dates are subject to change.
Create a "Moving File" to keep track of estimates, receipts, moving checklist and important information.
Investigate your moving options. Check rates and availability of all options. Get price quotes. If it's a company move, check with your employer to find out what moving expenses they cover.
Check with the IRS or your tax adviser to see what expenses can be deducted on your next tax return.
Budget for moving expenses and start collecting estimates.
Start working your way through each room taking inventory and deciding what to discard. You may want to have a yard sale or contact your local charities.
Inventory all household items to be moved - record serial numbers when possible and document with photographs.
Get to know the area surrounding your new community. Your sales representative, the community page of our website, and a relocating package from your new city's Chamber of Commerce are great sources. Here are some items you may want to inquire about:
Local utility companies
Doctors, Dentists, Pharmacies
Health care facilities
Schools and Daycare establishments
Places of worship
Hospitals, Fire Stations, Police Stations
Shopping centers
Banks
Veterinarians
Lawn and pool maintenance services
House cleaning services
Storage facilities
Internet service providers
6 to 8 Weeks Before You Move
Check with your sales representative to review your walk-through and closing dates. Remember, the complexity of building your home and our desire to make sure that every component of your new home is up to our standards of quality, these dates are subject to change.
Contact member organizations you have joined. Ask how you can end, sell or transfer your membership.
Start pulling together medical and dental records - including prescriptions and shot records. Ask your existing doctors if they can refer you to a care provider in your new city.
Arrange to have school records transferred to your children's new school district and/or daycare. Check school schedules and enrollment requirements.
Plan to use up things that can't be moved, such as frozen foods, bleach, cleaning supplies, and aerosol cleaners.
4 to 6 Weeks Before You Move
Check with your sales representative to review your walk-through and closing dates. Remember, these dates are subject to change.
Call your insurance companies (auto, homeowner, medical, and life) to see what changes to expect in your policies. Ask if moving is covered, if not, you may want to invest in mover's insurance.
Complete a change of address card at the post office for the following:
Banks
Credit Cards
Doctors and Dentists
Friends and Relatives
IRS/Social Security Administration
Insurance Agents, Lawyer, CPA and Stockbroker
Schools
Religious organizations
Magazines
Inventory and photograph items of significant value or difficult to replace (jewelry, antiques, wills, stock certificates, art collections, photographs, etc.). Consider shipping valuable items by Certified Mail, UPS, Federal Express or personally moving them yourself.
Select your mover; one that best suits your needs and budget. Get an itemized list of all moving related costs and review with the mover, including packing, loading, special charges, vehicles (if needed), and insurance coverage. Moving companies have a list of items they will not move, such as plants, flammable items, and firearms. Make arrangements to have these items moved separately.
Start packing items you don't use often. If you plan to do the packing and moving yourself, make a list and stock up on your packing materials (see list below). Label the boxes; make a note of the contents in the box, whether it's fragile and the room where it belongs. You may also want to make a note as to if the box needs to be opened first.
Packing materials for your move:
Boxes
Plastic bags
Newspapers
Packing tape
Markers
Bubble wrap
Tissue paper
Dolly
Packing Blankets
Packing Tips:
Pack heavy items in small boxes
Wrap fragile items in newspaper, bubble wrap, or towels
Leave lamps, china, and artwork for professional movers to pack
Don't over stuff boxes, leave some room at the top
Never pack jewelry, important papers or prescription medicine
Tape cords under all electrical appliances
Don't tape furniture doors and drawers - tape damages them
If you rent, contact your landlord, give a 30-day written notice, and request security deposit refund.
Request refunds on any unused renter's or homeowner's insurance and any prepaid services.
Notify your newspaper courier, lawn services, maid service, Security Company, and any others who regularly work at your home and set a date to cancel these services.
Get information on health-care professionals and hospitals in your new location.
2 to 3 Weeks Before You Move
Check with your sales representative to review your walk-through and closing dates. Remember, these dates are subject to change.
Make your travel arrangements (flights, hotels, car rentals, buses, etc.). If you are planning to drive and it's a long trip, schedule to have your car serviced.
Confirm the pick-up and delivery dates with the moving company.
Contact gas, water, electric, telephone, cable TV, trash collection, newspaper delivery and other services for disconnect, transfer, or connect at your new address. Remember to ask for final billings.
Select a new bank and arrange to transfer and/or close current bank accounts and open them in your new location (if applicable). Clear out safety deposit boxes.
Gather car licensing and registration documents, medical, dental, school records, birth certificates, pet records, wills, deeds, stock certificates and any other financial documents.
Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of your new address. Contact your new city's Department of Motor Vehicles to determine any new driver's license or car registration requirements.
Make sure all library books have been returned and all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up. Resolve any outstanding bills with your local merchants.
You may want to arrange for childcare services on the day the movers will be picking up your items.
Arrange for any special transport needs for pets, plants, jewelry and valuable items.
Make a list of items you'll need with you on moving day, such as medications, first aid kit, toys/games for the kids, snacks, and valuable items.
1 Week Before You Move
Confirm with your sales representative to review your walk-through and closing dates.
Fill any necessary prescriptions and medications needed for the next two (2) weeks.
Prepare and give detailed directions to your new home to your moving company (drivers). Provide them with your travel itinerary and emergency telephone numbers.
You may want to purchase travelers checks in case of an emergency or unplanned event.
Dispose of all flammable items, such as paint, gasoline, aerosol cans and any other items the movers will not take. Drain gas and oil from all power equipment, gas grills, kerosene heaters, etc.
A Couple Of Days Before You Move
Finish packing.
Empty, defrost and clean refrigerators and freezers at least 24 hours before moving day.
Disconnect and prepare all major appliances for loading.
Contact the moving company for any last minute updates.
Pack items you will need for your first night, such as, toiletries, change of clothes, sheets, towels, phone, alarm clock, and flashlight.
Pack an Essentials Kit. You may want to include such items as:
Water and/or Soft drinks
Snacks
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Paper plates and cups
Coffee maker and coffee
Plastic utensils
Scissors and utility knife
Masking and/or duct tape
Pen and notepad
Trash bags
Do NOT disconnect your telephone until the day after loading.
Moving Day
Be home to answer any questions your movers may have.
Record all utility meter readings.
Stay until your movers are finished. Take one final walk around your home with the movers to make sure all items are packed and loaded.
Complete the information on the bill of lading and carefully read the document and inventory list before signing.
Keep your copies of the bill of lading and inventory list in a safe place until your possessions are delivered, the charges paid, and any claims are settled.
Give the movers the detailed directions to your new home and an emergency telephone number (cell number if possible) where you can be reached.
Your New Home
Be at your new home to greet the movers and be on hand to answer any questions.
While the movers are unloading your possessions, unpack your first night items and Essentials Kit.
Account for all of your items with the movers by checking it against your inventory list. Check for damaged and missing items. Prepare any necessary claims. Pay the movers. Place the moving and other important documents in a safe place.
Go to the post office and collect your held mail.
Buy and send out We've Moved cards with your new address.
Breathe deep, relax, and enjoy your new Joe Boyden Home!
