Creating A Checklist For An Organized Move

A move is looming in your future and you could be feeling overwhelmed. To minimize that feeling of not knowing where to start, and "so much to do" anxieties, you have to get yourself organized. Here's a novel idea - how about making a list? This not only gets you organized, it gives you a feeling of accomplishment each time a job is completed and you are able to check it off.

Some of the items to be considered include:
* How many days you have before you move
* How many rooms need to be packed and contents of each room
* What you need to do immediately, such as packing, address change notices, getting supplies
* Perhaps most important is deciding whether you need help from family, friends or a moving company.

As you create your checklist for the big move, and you begin packing, you may want to keep your checklist and all your notes in a binder with dividers. You then have a place to jot down notes to yourself for each room and keep track of your progress. Make sure to keep the list in a convenient place so family members can either add to, or check off completed tasks as well as yourself.

Decide on a timeline for getting things done. As early as six weeks before the actual move, begin sorting through closets and collecting items you have decided to give away. Make any necessary repairs on your home, transfer club memberships, and get the packing supplies you will need, including markers, boxes, twine, tape, etc. If you intend to contract with a moving company, be sure to make a list of the questions you need to ask, check their references, ask for price quotes and if they help with cataloging items, packing boxes and labeling.

Be sure that at least four weeks before moving you have sent your change of address to all interested parties or companies, and at least two weeks before the move contact your lawyer and real estate agent to verify that all essential paperwork has been completed, if there is a home sale or purchase involved in this move.

Use up as much of your perishable food as possible since it is not easy to move and the last thing you need to worry about is whether or not your food is spoiling. If necessary, arrange care for your children and/or pets during the hectic days of packing, loading and moving making the physical move.

It is very possible that you will pack over a hundred boxes. For each room, there will be items that may be more important than others or which have contents that will be needed sooner than others. To satisfy this contingency, label one or two boxes for each room as Priority Boxes and mark them to be opened sooner than the other boxes. It is also helpful to make these boxes easy to find by indicating in red on the side of each box that it is Priority. The existence of these boxes will also be indicated on your checklist. If you have hired a moving company, some people prefer to move these priority boxes themselves so they can find them more easily.

A week before moving, confirm your arrangements with anyone or any company involved. Make sure the house you're leaving is clean, everything is packed and you have the keys to your new home.