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You're Mov ing !
Moving frequently accompanies some of the biggest moments in life: Setting up your
first apartment. Buying your first home. Upsizing. Downsizing. You’re opening new doors, settling into new places,
moving forward – what’s not to like? Of course, there’s the move itself!
Rest assured, though, the act of moving doesn’t have to overwhelm you. With a little forethought, a bit of due dili-
gence and some good, old-fashioned organization, you can feel in-command and enjoy a successful move.
That’s where this Moving Guide comes in. With the pages designed as “printables” (run them off on your own printer),
this guide has everything you need to create your own project organizer, with sections that break down “the big move”
into tidy, manageable tasks:
3 week-by-week
moving timeline:
A step-by-step master
timeline to keep everything
and everyone on track.
6 moving company
contact sheet
A dedicated place to jot notes on
potential moving companies,
including their estimates and
any special services.
7 whom to notify
when you move
A handy checklist of all the
people, government agencies
and businesses you’ll want to
inform of your move.
9 home inventory
checklist
A room-by-room checklist to
help you take stock of all the
stuff you’re moving.
14 moving labels
Home-printable labels to help
keep boxes organized and
moving helpers on task.
16 making it home
First-night tips on settling in,
and advice on turning your
new place into a home.
Happy moving,
The Allstate Blog Editors
www.allstate.com/blog
Twitter.com/Allstate | Facebook.com/Allstate
Special thanks go out to the blog editors of Coldwell Banker, Moving Insider and MyMove.com, who lent their insights to this
project. We’re all here to help. So, fire up the printer, take your new binder in hand and savor this new chapter in your life.
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MOVING
TIMELINE
There are many steps you need to take prior to your move. To maximize the use of
your time and make your move easier, our friends at Moving Insider created this
moving timeline. Simply print it out and check off each task as you complete it.
8
4
WEEKS
BEFORE
WEEKS
BEFORE
Purge before packing.
Eliminate clutter and get rid of unnecessary items. Consider
having a yard sale, donating to charity, or offloading the items
online.
Create a budget for your move.
Figure the cost of moving supplies, truck rental and any new items for your
home. Create a moving binder to hold all of your moving-related paperwork.
Begin packing.
If you begin packing slowly over the course of two months, you can avoid
trying to pack everything at the last minute, which can be extremely time-
consuming and can create undue stress. Do one room at a time over the weeks leading up to your
move. Pack the bedroom and a box of kitchen and first-night supplies last.
Make reservations.
Call and reserve your moving equipment and schedule your moving helpers, if needed.
Transfer services.
Call your utility, Internet and cable companies to transfer services to your new home.
Notify the appropriate companies of your change of address.
Make sure your mail will be going to the right place. Submit a change of address form online or
stop by your local post office. Don’t forget to change the address that’s on file with credit card
companies, vehicle loans, and insurance agents. (Use our Whom to Notify When You Move
checklist to help with this task).
Cancel local newspapers and other regular deliveries.
Switch magazine subscriptions, newspapers, and catalogs to your new address.
Put items in storage.
If you have large pieces of furniture that will not be going into your new home, and that you don’t
plan to sell or give away, rent a storage unit. Now is the time to pack them away.
MOVING TIP: In addition to
labeling boxes with their contents,
label what room they’ll be going
in. Color coding rooms and their
respective boxes can help too.
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MOVING
TIMELINE
2
2
WEEKS
BEFORE
DAYS
BEFORE
Confirm
everything
.
Call and confirm your truck rental and moving help. Make
sure they will be where you need them at the right time.
Pack a box with essential items.
Most likely, unpacking every box won’t be done by the first night of move-in. Pack a box of
essentials such as shampoo, a change of clothes, a toothbrush, clean sheets and a towel, and
label this as your “First Night” box. This will eliminate the frustration of digging through boxes when
you’re getting ready to go to bed your first night.
Inspect your house and make any final repairs.
The last thing you want to worry about post-move is problems with your old
home. Do a final inspection and walk through the entire place to make sure
everything is in good working condition.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Do laundry.
No one wants to move dirty clothes from one place to
another. Laundry just becomes an extra task for you after
moving into your new home.
Clean your old home.
Now that nearly everything is packed and ready to go, you can get your home ready for the new
residents. Wipe down the windows, sweep the floors and vacuum the carpets.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
MOVING TIP: Small tasks are easily
forgotten when moving. Set important
dates and reminders as alerts on your
phone or on your calendar.
MOVING TIP: Set aside extra time to
pack the fragile items, such as glass-
ware. It will take longer to pack these
items carefully so that they don’t break
during the move. Bubble wrap and cush-
ion foam are some items that will help.
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MOVING
TIMELINE
!
MOVING
DAY
Energize!
Eat a balanced breakfast and have plenty of water and snacks on hand to keep you going. It’s the
big day. You’ll be on the go for the better part of it.
Pick up your equipment.
Go to the location where you have made your moving truck reservation.
Arrive 15 minutes early or check in online to account for potential lines
or delays. If you’ve hired a moving crew, make sure everything is ready
to go before they arrive.
Take care of any children and pets.
Whether you’re dropping them off at a babysitter or keeping them busy
in another room, make sure you have the proper arrangements ready to go
for your children or pets.
Make copies.
Make copies of moving receipts and statements for future reference and taxes. Or just tuck them
away in the pocket of your moving binder.
Keep calm and breathe.
Remember to take your day one step at a time and allow yourself time to take a break if needed.
Keep yourself hydrated and have a positive attitude. This will make sure your move runs smoothly.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Follow this checklist leading up to moving day to ensure that you are prepared for your move. Moving is a multi-step
process; remember to take it in stride and minimize stress by planning efficiently.
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MOVING COMPANY
CONTACT SHEET
There are many decisions you’ll make during a move, including the choice to either hire a professional moving company or
do it all yourself. If you’re leaning toward professional movers, start by asking friends or family for recommendations. Then
use this contact sheet to make and organize your inquiries. (Print out one sheet for each company you reach out to). Don’t
forget to reach out to your insurance agent to make sure you understand your homeowners or renters insurance and what
kind of coverage it may offer during your move.
company name ______________________________________________________________________
Company Contact: ____________________________________________________
Company Address: ____________________________________________________
Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Website: _________________________________________________________________________________________
How long has the company been in business? __________________________________________________________
Are their movers employees, or do they contract out? ____________________________________________________
Are workers adequately insured? _____________________________________________________________________
What is the company’s Department of Transportation License number? ______________________________________
Date of in-home estimate: ___________________________________________________________________________
Estimate: ________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Make note of what is included in the estimate. Whether it’s “binding” (a guaranteed price) and what might warrant additional charges.)
References: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Scheduled/Available Move Date: _____________________________________________________________________
Notes: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
TIP: Do an initial screen of the
company at the Better Business
Bureau, says the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s consumer protection
site, ProtectYourMove.gov
TIP: Confirm a company’s license
at www.protectyourmove.gov. You
can also check complaint records
there, too.
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WhoM to Notify
When You Move
When you move, people will want to know about it—and not just the friends and family who are usually ex-
cited to hear what you’re up to. You’ll also need to notify the service providers, organizations, and government
agencies that rely on the most up-to-date information to serve you best. To make sure you don’t miss any-
body, we asked MyMove.com, the Internet resource for stress-free moving, to put together a handy checklist.
community
Friends and Family
Employer
Schools
TIP: Don’t forget to sign up for new
vehicle stickers and residential parking
permits, if applicable.
Alumni Associations
Charity and Nonprofit
Organizations
Church Clubs and
Organizations
Pet Licensing
(Varies by County)
_____________________
_____________________
professional
services
Attorneys and Accountants
Tax Assessors
Insurance Company
Doctors, Dentists,
Pharmacists, and Other
Medical Professionals
Veterinarian
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
A Change-of-Address Notification Checklist
home services
+ utilities
Telephone, Internet, and
Cable Services
Gas and Electric
Home Security Company
Magazine, Newspaper, and
Periodical Subscriptions
TIP: Most magazines and periodicals
suggest notifying them about an
address change six weeks in advance
of the move to avoid missing an issue.
Other Home Delivery
Services (e.g., Bottled Water)
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
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WhoM to Notify
When You Move
A Change-of-Address Notification Checklist
U.S. Postal Service
TIP: The USPS will forward mail
addressed to your old residence for a
full year. That should be plenty of time
for you to update everyone else!
Internal Revenue Service
TIP: As an additional security measure,
not all post offices forward government
checks. If you move after filing a tax
return but before you get your refund,
you will need to fill out Form 8822 and
send it to the IRS.
Citizenship and Immigration
Services (non-citizens)
Department of Veteran
Affairs
_____________________
_____________________
Voter Registration
TIP: When you change your address,
your old voter registration card won’t be
valid anymore, even if you stayed in the
same state. Make sure you get a new
one so you go to the right polling place
and can vote without any holdups.
Department/Registry of
Motor Vehicles
TIP: Many states require by law that you
notify the Department of Motor Vehicles
about a change of address. Deadlines
vary: Virginia requires notification within
30 days of the move, while California
needs it within 10 days!
Social Security
Administration
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
finances
Banks, Credit Unions, and
Loan Companies
Credit Cards and Charge
Accounts
Finance Companies and Car
Loans
Financial Aid Office
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
government agencies
other
transportation
Airline Frequent-Flyer
Programs
Emergency Road Service
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
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TAKE A
HOME INVENTORY
Taking stock of your possessions is an important part of any move. Doing it with a home inventory can help bring order
to the flurry of purging and packing activities that can otherwise overwhelm the process. Print this list out to help you
catalogue items as you pack up each room. And keep it in a safe place (with receipts, if you have them) once you arrive at
your destination; a home inventory can prove invaluable in the event that you ever have to make an insurance claim. If you
prefer to create a digital inventory, try a smartphone app like Digital Locker, which lets you create a digital inventory and
either save it on your smartphone or back it up to the cloud.
Original Price Year of Purchase Model or Serial #
living room
Carpeting / rugs
Sofas
Coffee table / side tables
Table & chairs
Media center
Shelves
Curtains / blinds
Lamps / light fixtures
Art / clocks / wall décor
Fireplace fixtures
Miscellaneous items
TIP: Take photos
and video of every
room, focusing
on any significant
items.
Original Price Year of Purchase Model or Serial #
bathroom(s)
Cabinets / chests
Mirrors
Room décor
Bath towels
Clothes hamper
Medicine cabinet contents
Hair dryers / curlers
Electric shavers
TIP: Consider
using towels or
other linens to wrap
household items.
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Original Price
Original Price
Year of Purchase
Year of Purchase
Model or Serial #
Model or Serial #
kitchen + laundry
electronics
Cabinets / shelving
Table & chairs
Dishware / flatware / glassware
Pots / pans
Clocks / wall décor
Refrigerator
Stove
Microwave
Dishwasher
Electrical appliances
Washer / dryer
Ironing board
Steamer
Vacuum cleaner
Television #1
Television #2
Camera / video equipment
Computer / laptop
Computer accessories (printer, external hard-drives)
Speakers/stereo system
DVD player
Telephones
Mobile phone
Tablet (iPad, Kindle, etc.)
Video game systems
TIP: Don’t forget
items behind pantry
doors, in cabinets
and in any drawers.
TIP: Take a picture
of how cords are
connected to
electronics so you
can reconnect them
easily later.
TAKE A
HOME INVENTORY
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Original Price
Original Price
Year of Purchase
Year of Purchase
Model or Serial #
Model or Serial #
family room + office
dining room
Art / clocks / wall décor
Carpeting / rugs
Sofas
Curtains / blinds
Table & chairs
Desk & contents
Bookcases
File cabinet
Media center
Lamps / light fixtures
Rug
Table
Chairs
China cabinet / buffet
Curtains / blinds
Silverware
China
Glassware
Tablecloths / napkins
Art / wall décor
Lamps / light fixtures
TIP: Don’t over-
look small but
potentially valuable
items, like personal
collections.
TIP: Tape doors of
cabinets or other
furniture closed for
the move.
TAKE A
HOME INVENTORY
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Original Price
Original Price
Year of Purchase
Year of Purchase
Model or Serial #
Model or Serial #
bedrooms
garage + outdoors
Bedframe
Mattress
Linens
Nightstand
Dresser
Jewelry
Bookcase
Desk
Chair
Mirror
Lamps / light fixtures
Closet accessories
Clothes / shoes
Sporting equipment
Tools
Lawn mower
Ladders
Work bench
Grill / barbecue
equipment
Storage equipment
Lawn furniture
TIP: Check in with
your insurance agent
about valuables –
jewelry, for instance
– to make sure your
coverage limits are
adequate to cover a
potential loss.
TIP: Drain fuel
from any power
equipment before
your move.
TAKE A
HOME INVENTORY
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Original Price
Original Price
Year of Purchase
Year of Purchase
Model or Serial #
Model or Serial #
basement + attic
miscellaneous items
Exercise equipment
Toys / games
Trunks / luggage
Sporting equipment
TIP: Purging senti-
mental toys before
a move may make
it harder for kids to
deal with what might
already seem like a
huge change—the
move itself.
TAKE A
HOME INVENTORY
Creating a visual inventory of all your stu is smart.
And with our FREE
Digital Locker
TM
app it’s a snap.
EASY to use.
ACCESSIBLE via web or mobile.
FREE from Allstate.
Just one more way we help keep you protected.
Go to
DigitalLocker.com,
search for Digital
Locker in the app store
or scan the QR code.
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Template compatible with Avery Shipping Labels, 6 per sheet - 3
1
/
3
x4 inches
CONTENTS
KI TCHEN
Box # ___ of ___
CONTENTS
B ATHROOM
Box # ___ of ___
CONTENTS
DINING ROOM
Box # ___ of ___
CONTENTS
MAS TER BEDROOM
Box # ___ of ___
CONTENTS
LIVING ROOM
Box # ___ of ___
CONTENTS
BASEMEN T
Box # ___ of ___
moving labels
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CONTENTS
Box # ___ of ___
CONTENTS
Box # ___ of ___
CONTENTS
Box # ___ of ___
CONTENTS
Box # ___ of ___
FR AGILE FR AGILE
Template compatible with Avery Shipping Labels, 6 per sheet - 3
1
/
3
x4 inches
moving labels
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FIRST-NIGHT
TIPS:
Congratulations on your new house!
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey
toward making your house a home. Whether
it’s your starter home or your dream house,
this home will likely play a key role in your life,
so here are some tips to help get you started.
By Lindsay Listanski, Coldwell Banker
Settling In and Making Your
New Place Feel Like Home
preparing for the
first day/night
Planning is essential to a successful move.
As you pack up, create two “first day” boxes.
This will save you time and energy that would
otherwise be spent on digging through boxes
looking for first-day essentials.
BOX 1
Fill this box with things to help make your new
home feel clean and “put together.”
• CleaningProducts:Justthebasics(paper
towels, sponge, all-purpose cleaner)
• Tools:Notthewholetoolbox,justthe
essentials (hammer, wrench, screwdriver,
nails)
BOX 2
Box one took care of your house, now box two
is for you! Pack it with human necessities.
• ToiletPaper(tworolls)
• Medicine(medicineyoutakedailyand
over-the-counter drugs you may need, like
ibuprofen)
• AdhesiveBandages(Movingisacontact
sport.)
• Paperplates,cups,plasticcutleryand
napkins. This will make the “traditional”
first night home meal of take-out easy to
clean up.
BOX 1
BOX 2
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FIRST-NIGHT
TIPS:
Settling In and Making Your
New Place Feel Like Home
things to do on your first night
The first night in a new home can be both exciting and exhausting. Resist the urge to pull an all-nighter just to
make a dent in the seemingly infinite number of brown boxes stacked in every room. You will have plenty of time to
get that done.
Some things to do on your first night:
MEET YOUR NEW HOME
It’s time to really “meet” your house for the first time. Take this time to adjust to your new surroundings and
enjoy the freedom of exploring your new house. Listen to the new sounds of your house, play with light
switches, and if you feel a few pangs of sadness thinking about your old home, just know that it is
completely normal.
TAKE PICTURES
Your house will most likely look far different on the day you move in than the day you leave. Make time to
take pictures of it the first day. You and your family will enjoy comparing “now and then” pictures down the
road. They also help you look at a room more objectively and can help you make decorating decisions in
this new space.
RELAX
Before you hit the hay, take a nice, hot shower or draw yourself a bath. After cleaning and moving, a little
“me time” just might be what you need. The warmth of the shower will relax you and will undoubtedly give
you a feeling of settling nicely into your new home.
Once you have met your home and begin to wind down from your first day, get to bed. Tomorrow starts another day
of organizing and personalizing your new space.
making your new house your home
Remember, a house is the place you stay. A home is what this place means to you. It is a
place where memories are made. And, it should be filled with things and people you love.
But while doing things like changing the décor, painting the walls and adding photos of
loved ones will go a long way to giving you a sense of belonging, ultimately, it will be the
time you spend there that will really make you feel you’re home.
Lindsay Listanski is the social media manager for Coldwell Banker Real Estate, a leader in full service real estate sales.