• Set the date for your move. Consider timing your move to coincide with 'off-peak' moving periods. Mondays, Fridays and first and last days of each month are the busiest times for professional movers and truck rental.
• Decide whether you will use a professional mover or move everything yourself.
• If using a mover, obtain estimates from at least three professional moving companies as well as recommendations from friends before making your selection.
• If moving yourself, obtain estimates for the hire of moving trucks, etc. Make a booking to hire your selected vehicle/s for the moving day/s.
• Sketch a floor plan of your new home. Photocopy this plan and then draft onto it the layout for your furniture. Will everything fit? Perhaps some furniture may need to be sold or given away.
• Start using up food from your freezer to save it from spoiling during the move.
• Clean out clutter. Perhaps hold a garage sale or donate items to charity.
• Start developing a list of all the people who will need to learn of your new address. As mail is received, check that the sender is on your list of people to inform. This will include friends, relatives, banks, any subscriptions or catalogues, etc.

Five Weeks Before the Move

• Discuss the moving details with your mover, including all costs and insurance cover. When you are completely satisfied with the details, book the mover for the day of the move. Also collect as many packing boxes as the moving company is willing to provide.
• If you are moving yourself, start collecting boxes. You could gather used boxes from supermarkets or friends. Make sure these can withstand the rigors of moving. Alternatively buy sturdy moving boxes from professional moving companies.
• Develop an inventory of all your possessions. This will come in handy not only for organizing your move, but also as a record of your assets for insurance purposes.
• Arrange for the transfer of your children's school records to their new school.
• Start notifying others of your forthcoming change in address. This is especially important for any businesses you may deal with as it can often take time to update your address on their systems. Why not produce a moving notice and photocopy this for distribution?
• Fill in a form at the post office to have your mail redirected. You should elect to have your mail forwarded to this new address for at least two months following your move.

One Month Before the Move

• If you need to organize storage, do this now.
• Using your inventory list, start organizing how you will pack your possessions. How many boxes will you need? Which items should be packed last and unpacked first?
• If you have pets, consider how these will be moved. Perhaps ask your vet to recommend companies who specialize in the safe transport of pets.
• Arrange for final readings of your services, i.e. gas, water and electricity, to be performed just prior to your move. Also organize for these services to be connected in your new home prior to your arrival.
• Make sure that your telephone is connected at both your new and old addresses during the move. This will allow for communication between the two places should this be necessary. Alternatively, borrow two mobile phones if you don't have them.
• If you are going to need temporary accommodation, make the necessary hotel/motel bookings.

Three Weeks Before the Move

• Gather together all the packing materials you will need. This includes:
• Packing tape
• Bubble wrap
• Styrofoam 'beads'
• Old newspapers
• Scissors
• Utility knife
• Packing string
• Rope
• Labels
• Marker pens
• Hand truck and/or dolly
• Plenty of boxes
• Start packing the items that you will not need over the next few weeks, i.e. extra linen or spare dishes.

Two weeks before the move

• Transfer all your bank accounts to new branch locations.
• Cancel all deliveries.
• Check on the arrangements for the new telephone service and other connections.
• Consider storing jeweler and valuables, including certain legal documents, at your bank during the move. Alternatively, set these aside to carry with you on the day of the move.
• Call about garbage pick-up at your new home.

One week before the move

• Return all library books, and rented videos. Pick-up dry cleaning.
• If necessary, arrange a babysitter for the day of the move.
• Tidy up the garden and outside area.
• Arrange for new locks to be installed on the house you are moving into.
• Finalize all packing. Number each box and take notes on their contents. Also, keep items from different rooms in separate boxes.
• Keep in mind that heavier items deserve smaller boxes.
• Mark any items that should be hanuled with care.
• Pack bags of clothing and toiletries to take with you rather than send with the mover.
• Have the carpet steam cleaned.
• Also put together a box of items which could be useful for the day of the move. This might include such items as scissors, a utility knife, paper plates and towels, toilet paper, drinks, cups, soap, band aids, headache tablets, garbage bags and small toys for children.

Moving Day

• Remove all remaining food from your refrigerator and freezer.
• Clean out cupboards, sweep the floors and ensure the house is tidy for its next inhabitant.
• Double check rooms, cupboards, drawers, shelves, outdoor areas and the garage to make sure you've taken everything.
• Turn off all services, including the main switch and taps.
• Lock all windows and doors securely.
• Leave the old house keys with the real estate agent for collection by the new inhabitant.
• Check to see if all the services are on and appliances are working in your new home.
• Check off each box as it comes off the truck.