FOUR WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE:

• Notify the post office, magazines, credit card companies and friends and family of your change of address. The U. S. Postal Service offers a kit to make this process easier.
  
• Contact utilities (gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV) to schedule disconnection of services on the day following your move. You'll want to have utilities on while you're still in the house. Call the utilities in your new town to arrange for service to start the day before your move so that you have service when you arrive at your new home. And don't forget to arrange for an expert, if necessary, to install fixtures upon their arrival at your new home.
  
• Complete any repair work on your old home, and arrange for any critical services needed at your new home.
  
• If packing yourself, start packing seldom-used articles like fancy dishes and glasses, specialty cookware, nonessential clothing, curios, art, photos, and decorative items.
  
• As you pack, remember to keep each box light enough to be handled by any of the members of your family - not just the strongest person. Heavier items go in smaller boxes, lighter items in larger boxes.
  
• If you are planning a garage sale, pick a date at least a week before the move, and advertise it locally. Think about teaming up with neighbors who want to sell some of their old belongings, and plan a neighborhood "super sale."
  
• Get an itemized list of all moving related costs and review with mover, including packing, loading, special charges, insurance, vehicles (if needed), etc.
  
• Contact all current and new location utility companies (gas, water, electric, cable TV, phone & trash collection) to set connect/disconnect dates. Remember to keep current utilities hooked up until move day.
  
• Make arrangements for relocation of pets and plants.
  
• Move valuables to safe deposit box to prevent loss during move.
  
• If you are packing yourself, acquire packing materials/boxes and pack items you won't need for the next month.
  
• If professional mover is packing your goods, schedule packing day(s) 1 or 2 days before move.
  
• Prepare any mowers, snow blowers, boats, snowmobiles (or other vehicles you won't be using before the move) for the move by servicing and draining gas and oil, to prevent a moving van fire.
  
• Repair, send out for re-upholstery, or clean furniture, drapes, carpeting as needed.
  

THREE WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE >