Checklist For Moving

Moving takes lots of time and energy, and can be a stressful experience. Good planning helps. Try to relax and enjoy the adventure. Please remember to call your Berkeley Hills Realty agent if you need moving resources or a reference to a reputable service professional.

Six Weeks before Moving:

• Inventory everything to be moved.
• Collect everything not to be moved for garage sale or charity.
• Contact moving companies for estimates.
• Get cartons and packing materials to start packing.
• Check with employer to find out what moving expenses they will pay.
• Arrange a babysitter and/or pet sitter for moving day.

Four Weeks before Moving:

• Give address change to charge accounts, credit cards, magazine subscriptions, friends and relatives.
• Notify insurance company of new location for coverages; Life, Health, Fire and Auto.
• Check with doctors and dentist for all family records and prescriptions.
• Get children’s school records.
• Check with veterinarian for pet records and immunizations.
• Contact utility companies for refunds of deposits and change of service.

• Collect everything you have loaned out; return everything you have borrowed.
• Service power mowers, boats, etc., that are to be moved. Drain all gas/oil from engines to prevent fires.
• Put all jewelry and other valuables in a safe deposit box or other safe place to prevent loss during move.
• Give away or arrange transportation of house plants. (Some moving companies will not move plants.)
• Use up extra pantry items and frozen foods rather than moving them.

One Week before Moving

• Transfer or close checking and savings accounts.
• Have automobile serviced for trip.
• Plan for special travel needs of infants, children and pets.
• Fill out Post Office change of address forms: moversguide.usps.com
• Check and inventory all furniture for dents and scratches; notify moving company of your inventory and compare on final day.
• Dispose of all combustibles, spray cans, house paint and batteries:
• Alameda County; www.stopwaste.org/home
• Contra Costa County; www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/cd/recycle/options
• Pack a separate carton of cleaning utensils and tools (screwdriver, hammer, wrench, etc.)
• Separate cartons and luggage you will need for personal/family travel.
• Have an ice chest ready to hold food from the refrigerator on moving day.
• Mark all boxes that you pack with the room they will go to in the new home.
• Cancel all newspapers, garden service, etc.

Moving Day

• Plan to be at home for the entire moving day. Before the truck leaves, make sure everything is out of the house.
• Tell packers and/or driver about fragile or precious items.
• Double-check with driver to make certain moving company records show the proper address of your new house, and verify the scheduled delivery date.
• Give the driver your cell phone number in case of a problem.
• Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover cost of moving services and expenses until you make your banking connections in the new city.
• Carry jewelry and documents yourself, or use registered mail.
• Double-check closets, drawers and shelves to be sure they are empty. Clean refrigerator and broom sweep any debris in preparation for new occupant.
• Lock all the doors and windows. Leave old keys needed by new tenant or owner with Realtor or neighbor.

At Your New Address

• Check pilot light on stove water heater, incinerator, and furnace.
• Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, and water.
• Apply for state driver’s license/or have new address recorded on driver’s license.
• Register car within five days after arrival in state, or a penalty may have to be paid when getting new license plates.
• Register to vote: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections
• Register children in school.
• Arrange for medical services: doctor, dentist, etc.