A few weeks before moving day, start getting things in order. Create a move file using an organiser folder with interior pockets, this makes it easier to store important information and collect receipts for related expenses.

Now is a good time to begin to contact people such as your insurance agent to transfer property, fire, auto and medical insurance. Organise dental and medical records, including prescription and vaccination records. Plan to carry with you wills, stock certificates and other one-off items (jewellery, photo negatives, video tapes etc.) that are difficult or impossible to replace. A little closer to moving day take a look at your things with an eye toward what you really need to take and what you can dispose of.

Start to include your children at this point. Make it exciting by having them do some of their own packing, and let them suggest layouts for their new rooms. The week before move out is the time to tie up loose ends. Arrange to have your utilities turned off a day or two after your move and call ahead to have them turned on in your new home if possible. Place the "Do Not Load" stickers provided by Relogulf on all the items that are not being moved or that you will move yourself.

The "Fragile" stickers should be placed on items that need special care. Try to keep your travel plans as flexible as possible in the event of an unforeseen schedule change or delay. Make sure Relogulf knows the address and phone number where you can be reached until you get into your new home.

Start to clean out things you won't bring. Plan a yard sale to sell it. It's not free to ship, so if you don't need it, get rid of it! Clothes, old school projects, and strange gifts from ex's all fall into this category.

Insurance. Begin your insurance inventory listing, this can be a lengthy process.

Start talking to young children about the impending move. Moves to new locations can be traumatic for young children. Preparing them in advance gives the child plenty of time to prepare for the move.

 

Notify all professional bodies. Remember to save your last bills - they have crucial information like account numbers and customer service telephone numbers that will help you change your utilities, accounts, insurance policies, credit cards, magazine subscriptions, etc.

Get a copy of medical records. We've just heard too many horror stories of people losing medical records because they don't see a physician or dentist for a while, etc. Get a copy of your medical records and transfer them to a new physician in your new location. This is also a good time to get copies of medical records for pets from your veterinarian.

Cancel your local newspaper/ milkman/ provisions delivery services.

Notify all financial accounts of your move. Banks, credit cards, brokerages, personal stocks/mutual funds, other investments all need to know your new address. Make a list and call/write them all!

 

Disconnect major appliances. Refrigerator, washer and dryer, etc. should all be disconnected, defrosted, and dried out.

Empty your freezer and plan use of foods. Defrost the freezer and clean the refrigerator, use baking soda or vanilla essence to dispel odours. Set aside operating manuals and instructions and have them packed for easy access at the new destination. Clean rugs and carpets before moving. Organise at least one room in the house for the packers to work freely.

Valuables. There are a small number of things that you'll probably want to carry with you or in a personal suitcase. Passport, jewelry, cash, house deeds and other important documents should be set aside and stored in a safe place.

Whilst Travelling. Separate and pack personal and family needs for travelling.

 

Enjoy! Since you've prepared so well, just relax and sit back while Relogulf pack and load for you.

Make a final tour of the entire house - double check closets, drawers and shelves to be sure they are empty.

 

Don't reuse any boxes that have been used many times and are starting to wear. Keep in mind that that the box you pack could easily end up on the bottom of a large stack.

Pack all boxes TO capacity. Boxes that are under-filled are more likely to be crushed and boxes that are overfilled can tear or fall apart

Label all boxes as soon as you're done packing them (e.g. "Bathroom", "Bedroom", "Kitchen"). When labeling, draw an arrow on the box to indicate which side is the top of the box and write the room label on multiple sides. This will save you a ton of time unpacking (or trying to find that one item that you need) and will help ensure the safety of your property while it's being shipped.

Don't be afraid to start early! If you're moving in the summer, there's no reason that you can't pack your winter clothes two months before your move date.

Don't pack it if you don't need it! The cheapest way to pack and ship something is to NOT do it. If you don't need something in a new location, sell it at a garage sale before you move. We see lots of people pack and ship items that they later realize they don't need--what a waste!

NEVER pack explosives, combustibles (gasoline), food of any kind, liquids, or pets. These could cause damage and will void your insurance.

Use space bags for pillows and blankets and off season clothes, they shrink down to practically nothing.

If you have a floor plan, draw how you want each room to be set up and put it on the door of that room, so you can be free to do other things than direct traffic. Labels bedroom furniture room 1, 2 and so on.

Here's hoping you have a very smooth move!