Pre-planning is the secret to a good move.

A good moving plan involves setting three important dates…for packing, loading, and delivery to your new home. These three dates form a framework for your plan. If possible, allow a time-span of 30 days. This will let you schedule your activities wisely. Choose your moving day carefully. Avoid peak periods if possible: the first few days of the month, and the last few days of the month. These are the times when everyone wants to move. A good checklist is essential. Start planning early, and you’ll be surprised how smoothly things go.

Pre-Planning

• Have an inventory session. Decide what to move, what not to move.
• Make arrangements for trip (hotel/airline reservations, routing, etc)
• Schedule a moving sale for items you won’t move. Donate other items to charitable organizations (get receipt for tax records)
• Arrange for packing. We recommend you have North American do it for you. If you pack yourself, the special cartons you will need are available from North American.
• Gather personal records: medical, dental, school, birth, baptismal, marriage, etc. Arrange to send transcripts of school records in advance to new schools.
• Close local department store and other charge accounts
• Arrange with employer to forward tax withholding forms.
  

Make Arrangements to discontinue:

• Newspaper delivery
• Water softener service
• Electricity (the day after you move, check for refund)
• Water service
• Gas service (check for refund)
• Telephone service (the day after your goods are loaded)
• Fuel or oil delivery
• Garbage collection
• Diaper service
• Lawn/pool service
• Internet service
• Make advance arrangements for these services in your new location.
  

Notify other of your change of address:

• Post office
• Social Security office (US only)
• Insurance companies
• Credit cards
• Magazines
• Friends and relatives
• Mail order accounts
• Health Canada (Canada only)
• Human Resources Canada ( Canada only)
• Provincial Social Services Ministry ( Canada only)
• Other

Just before you move:

• Fill and transfer prescriptions for family and pets. Pack them to travel with you.
• Arrange for shipment of plants and pets. Get immunization records for pets.
• Safely dispose of or give away all flammables (paints, paint removers, propane tanks, etc.) as they can not be moved due to federal DOT and Transport Canada regulations.
• To prevent possible problems, such as mildew, thoroughly air-dry your refrigerator and freezer. Arrange for disposal of frozen foods (sell, give away, or eat.) Clean oven.
• Transfer checking and savings accounts
• Drain fuel and oil from lawnmowers and other power equipment.
• Drain garden hoses.
• Pack items to be carried in car. Label “Do Not Move”
• Gather valuables from safe deposit box, drawers, jewelry cases, personal records, etc. Valuable items like these should travel with you…not in a moving van.
• Send clothing, draperies, curtains, rugs out for a cleaning and leave in wrapping. Take down curtain rods, shelves, TV antenna.
• Have car serviced for trip and have proof of insurance in car.
• Other

Moving Day

• Remember to pack a box of the basics you’ll need on move-in day (tools, paper products, all-purpose household cleaners, etc) Be sure to have it loaded last so that they will be first off at your new home.
• Pack suit cases for trip
• Remove all bed linens
• Be available to check items on inventory sheet
• Conduct a last minute walk-through with your van operator. Make sure windows are closed, closets empty, lights out and doors locked.
  

Delivery Day

• Be available to check off items on the inventory as they are removed from the van.