The Essential Timeline for Moving Out of Your First Place

Moving out of your home will require a great deal of planning and preparation. The best way to conduct an efficient move is to know what tasks you have ahead of you before you begin. A move out checklist will assist you with managing your move during a very hectic time in your life. So before you begin packing up all of your belongings, take a look at the move out check list below. You will be glad that you took out the time to accurately plan your upcoming move.

Four Weeks Prior to Moving Out

Select a relocation company. When it’s time to relocate out of your home, you will likely need the assistance of a professional moving company. Because of this, locating a mover should be the first thing on your to do list. Before you give anyone a call, you should first know what you are looking for in a company. Once you have figured out this vital piece of information, you will be in a better position to secure a move to fit your unique moving needs.
Create a plan of action. Now that you have obtained a mover to complete your relocation, you will now need to create a moving out plan of action. Sit down and really think about what tasks need to be completed prior to your move out date and determine which items are time sensitive. Once you have gathered this information, determine how you can successfully execute your move.
Make a moving budget. Moving can get a bit pricy. Therefore, you will want to save as many pennies as possible. One way to do this is by making a budget for your move and sticking to it. This will eliminate the possibility of spending way more money than you planned. Determine how much money you can comfortably spend on your move and make sure you stay within the financial plan you have set forth. This will help you keep your eye on the prize and avoid purchasing unnecessary products or services.
Have a garage sale. Prior to moving out of your home, you may need to eliminate some unnecessary items. Before you throw out all of your belongings or give them away, consider selling them in a garage sale. This will be a two-fold plan. Not only will you be able to get rid of unnecessary items before you move out, but you will also make a little extra money on the side. During a move, any extra money you can come across is always a plus.

Three Weeks Prior to Moving Out

Change your address. Before things get really hectic, you should make sure that you have taken the necessary steps to properly change your address. You can do this one of two ways. You can change your address by visiting your local post office and filling out a change of address form. You can also complete this task by going online at USPS.gov. On the official website, there is a change of address form that will lead you in the right direction. The change of address only lasts for 12 months; therefore, you will need to notify a number of businesses to alert them of your new address.
Purchase moving supplies. Now is the time to start your packing process. Identify what materials you will need to successfully pack up your entire home. Decide if you will order these items online, purchase them from your contracted mover, or buy them from your local big box store. Whichever option you decide, make sure that you weigh the pros and cons of each decision. For example, if you order your materials online will they arrive in enough time for you to pack? Will the price be cheaper if you purchase them from a store? Asking yourself questions such as these will help you make a more informed decision.
Locate a new school for your children. If you are moving to a new school district, then you will need to determine what school your children will attend.
Create an inventory list. As you begin packing, make sure you take inventory of all your belongings. Keep a list of everything you have packed along with their condition and value. Doing this will protect you in the event that something is damaged or misplaced during the move. It would be wise to have a different inventory sheet for each room in your home.
Begin using or discarding perishable food items. It is likely that you will not be taking any perishable food items along with you for the ride. Because of this, you will need to either use these items, donate them to your local food bank, or throw them away. Doing this ahead of time will definitely cut back on the amount of stress you feel as your moving day draws closer.

Two Weeks Prior to Moving Out

Contact your moving company. As your move gets closer, you will need to contact your moving company to touch basis. On this call, make sure that you confirm what time they will arrive on moving day, the price they quoted you, and the names of the movers that you should expect. Doing this will clear up any final misconceptions that either you or the moving company may have had.
Schedule a time to have your utilities disconnected. The last thing you want to do is pay for utilities that you are no longer using. To avoid this, make sure to contact all of your service providers and arrange a time to have your services disconnected prior to your moving day. Once you have settled into your new home, call them and confirm that the task has been completed.
Hire a professional cleaning service. Before you move out, you should have your home thoroughly cleaned so it is ready for the new owners. Contact a professional cleaning service to come in and conduct a deep cleaning of the entire home. By hiring a company to complete this task, you will not have to worry about finding the time to clean the home yourself. This is indeed an expense worth paying.
Ask for help. Your move out day is drawing even closer. On moving day, you will likely need some extra help. Therefore, you should contact your friends and family and see if they would be willing to lend a helping hand. Giving them a two week heads up will increase the probability that they will agree to help you out.

One Week Prior to Moving Out

Create an essentials box. When you arrive in your new home, there will be boxes everywhere. This will make it extremely difficult to find all of the essentials that you will likely need on day one. To avoid this happening, you should pack a box that will include everything you will need during the first few days in your new home. Doing this will help you to conduct a normal daily routine with limited confusion.
Defrost your freezer and clean out your refrigerator. Chances are by this time in your move, you will be eating quick, fast food on a regular basis. Thus, there is no need for your freezer and refrigerator. This is the perfect time to prepare it for moving day. Doing this in advance will ensure that it is completely defrosted before your move out day arrives.
Make copies of all important documents. Moving out of your home can get pretty hectic. Therefore, it is essential that you make a copy of all your significant documents. In the event that you lose the original document, you will have copies.

Move Out Day

Designate someone to be home. On moving day, someone should be in your home at all times. The movers may have questions that need to be answered, something could get damaged, or some items may get left behind if they have no one to direct the flow of the day. So, if you are not able to be home when the movers arrive, ask someone that you trust to step in for you.
Perform a final walk through. Before you leave your home behind, make sure that you conduct a final walk through. This will help you eliminate the likelihood of leaving something behind. This is also a time to check the home and see if anything has been damaged during the move.

Moving out of your home is a major life change. There are a number of tasks that need to be completed in a timely manner. This move out checklist will help you keep track of everything that needs to be done and at what point in your move it should be completed. So before you start packing up your boxes, review this checklist to give yourself a better idea on what to expect during the upcoming weeks.