There鈥檚 a lot of work that goes into coordinating an organized move, and it鈥檚 smart to get a head start on planning long before the moving truck arrives at your door. Here鈥檚 our step-by-step guide to streamline your move to Atlanta:
Two Months Before
- Research your options for moving or truck rental companies. Get on-site, written estimates and references from multiple companies 鈥� for moving and storage, if necessary.
- Take inventory of everything in your home, room by room. Decide what you鈥檇 like to get rid of and determine what鈥檚 worth keeping, and make a list of all of the items you plan to take with you.
- Start a binder of all paperwork, estimates and receipts related to your move. These costs can later be taken as tax credits and deductions.
- Ensure necessary records 鈥� from your child鈥檚 school, your pet鈥檚 veterinarian and family medical, dental and legal documents 鈥� are all obtained and organized.
Six Weeks Before
- Schedule a moving date or reserve a truck if you鈥檙e moving yourself.
- Complete a change of address with your local post office, or do it online at .
- Start packing seasonal clothing and any other items not in immediate use.
- Use up or give away food and supplies that can鈥檛 be moved, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.
- Host a garage or moving sale for the items you decide not to keep, and give away leftovers to charitable organizations.
Four Weeks Before
- Send your new address to friends and family members.
- Notify important parties of your move and provide your new address to your bank, your employer鈥檚 HR department, magazines and subscription services, credit card, insurance and utility companies.
- Schedule disconnection of services at your current home and reconnection at your new house, including phone, cable and internet.
- Contact insurance companies to obtain moving coverage and to transfer policies to your new home.
- Research new medical professionals for you and your family, including family doctors, dentists and veterinarians.
2-3 Weeks Before
- Don鈥檛 leave it in the landfill. Research how you can recycle old electronics, plastics, metals and anything else you won鈥檛 be bringing with you that won鈥檛 naturally decompose.
- Transfer your automobile registration and drivers鈥� license if you鈥檙e moving out of state.
- Create a folder of important information about your house for the next homeowner. Be sure to include your new address so that future residents can forward any mail.
1 Week Before
- Confirm dates and time of packing and moving if you鈥檙e using a mover. If you鈥檙e moving yourself, confirm moving truck arrangements.
- Confirm travel arrangements and pack a travel kit for you and your family members with whatever you need, including cash, credit cards, travel documents, medications, etc. Don鈥檛 forget activities and toys for the kids!
1 Day Before
- Finalize all packing. Double-check that all closets, garage, attic and basement are cleared.
- Complete a house check. Defrost the freezer, drain the water hose, disconnect and prepare any major appliances you鈥檙e planning to move.
- Pack a 鈥淔irst Open/Load Last鈥� box. Include items you鈥檒l need on the first day in your new home.
- Confirm hotel or temporary accommodation, if needed.
- Arrange for childcare and pet services on moving day, if needed.
Moving Day
- Verify the moving truck that shows up is the one you hired. The USDOT number on the side of the truck should match the number on the estimate/confirmation paperwork. Scams can happen!
- Sign the bill of lading/inventory list before the movers leave, making sure to check boxes and note any missing items or damage. Keep a copy in a safe place.
- Be on hand for movers to answer questions and show where furniture and boxes should go.
- Be prepared to pay the mover and have cash on hand to tip workers.