• Get quotes from at least three professional moving companies. Compare prices, terms, liabilities, and extra charges. Choose one and reserve the date for your move. Some moving expenses are tax deductible, so keep accurate records.
  
• Get rid of unwanted items through a yard sale or donations to charities. Why pay to move items you no longer desire or need?
  
• Collect boxes and packing materials.
  
• Notify magazine and newspaper subscriptions of your new address.
  
• Notify the post office of your impending move.
  
• Notify friends, family, and businesses of your impending move.

Two Weeks Before:

• Call your insurance company and arrange coverage of your new house and cancel your existing home insurance effective the day of closing.
  
• Call utility companies (gas, electric, telephone, cable, etc.) and arrange cancellation or transfer of services effective the day of your move.
  
• If you are moving out of your current neighborhood, close all local charge accounts and destroy any charge cards you won't be using in your new location.
  
• Empty your safe deposit box and transfer your bank accounts.
  
• Develop a plan for packing -- pack last the items you use the most.
  
• Arrange transfer of children's school records if applicable.
  
• Purchase moving insurance. In general, a mover's liability for lost or damaged items does not equal their replacement value.
  
• Arrange for special movers to take care of items such as pianos or pool tables.
• Have valuable items such as antiques and artwork appraised before the move and get them insured.
  

One Week Before

• Cancel or transfer delivery of newspapers, garbage collection, and other services.
  
• Pick up personal items that may have been left at the photo shop, dry cleaners, and other local businesses.
  
• Pack old phone books to help you contact old friends and tie up any unfinished business.
• Draw up a floor plan and indicate where you want your furniture to be placed so the movers clearly understand where each item belongs in the new house. Also number the boxes and give the movers a list of box numbers that belong in each room of the new house.
• If you are moving out of town, plan your itinerary and make reservations in advance.
• Retrieve spare house keys from neighbors.
  

Day Before the Move:

• Confirm the moving company arrangements.
  
• Fill your car with gas and check oil and tires.
  
• Get a good night's rest.
  

After the Move:

• Notify the sender of any mail forwarded to you of your new address.
  
• Register to vote in your new neighborhood.
  
• Get a change of address on your driver's license if you have moved within the state, and complete an application for one if you have moved out of state.
  
• Have your medical records transferred to new doctors and dentists.
  
• Make a list of emergency numbers such as fire, ambulance, hospital, poison control, etc.
  
• Locate new service providers such as banks, pharmacies, cleaners, etc.