Get ready. One month before you move.
Set up a calendar for your move.
Make a list of important new phone numbers.
Decide what goes with you, what to sell, and what to give away.
Finalize arrangements with your moving company or make reservations to rent a truck.
Call friends and relatives to let them know where and when you're moving.
Collect and keep important papers handy.
Begin packing seldom used articles.

Get set. Two weeks before you move.
Arrange telephone service for your new home.
Arrange the disconnect/connection dates with local utilities.
Begin packing items you won't need over the next two weeks.
Send change of address cards and leave a forwarding address with the Post Office.
Notify individuals, companies, and institutions that your address will be changing.

The following checklist will serve as a convenient change of address reminder:
Accountant
Physicians
Lending Institutions
Stockbroker
Magazine/Newspaper Subscriptions
Service Contracts (gardener, pool, etc.)
Attorney
Banks
Book Clubs
Catalog Merchants
Charitable Organizations
Church/Synagogue
Credit Cards
Dentist
Employers
Frequent Flyer Programs
Insurance Companies
Investment Companies/IRAs

Moving day
1. At your old residence:
Confirm arrival time with moving company.
Meet the movers promptly.
Keep important documents and keys handy.
Look through closets, attic, basement, and garage.
Have two people separately make a final inspection to be sure nothing is forgotten.
Turn off lights; close and lock windows and doors.
Leave keys with real estate agent or landlord.
Leave home only after the moving truck is on its way.

2. At your new Brandywine home:
Supervise placement of cartons and furniture.
Check circuit breakers or fuse box to be sure everything is on.
Make sure telephones are working.
Leave an extra set of keys with a friend, relative, or neighbor.

TIPS FOR A DO-IT-YOURSELF MOVE
If you are renting a van or truck.
Make your reservation early.
Confirm vehicle size/capacity with the rental company.
Make sure you obtain these necessary supplies: loading ramps, dollies, padding, and boxes.
Verify what additional costs you may be charged.
Load carefully. Dissemble what you can; put pads around your delicate items; load heavy furniture first; secure the load.

If you are moving large furniture.
Measure your furniture to be sure it will fit.
Get measurements of doors and hallways in your new home.
Check sofas, large chairs, and dining tables to see if legs can be removed to fit furniture through narrow doors, halls, or stairways.
Be prepared to remove a window to move in large bedroom furniture, such as a king-size bed. If necessary, arrange in advance for a hoist.
You may want to disassemble shelving units when packing.
Find out if and how you can take the door off of a too large refrigerator or freezer.

Fine furnishings and antiques.
Apply a heavy coat of wax before you move to protect against scratches.
Special antique chairs should be crated.
Remove legs from furniture, if possible, as they are easily broken.

MOVING SPECIAL ITEMS
Electronic equipment.
If possible, pack in original cartons. If not, pack each item separately.
Code wiring with tape for easier reinstallation.
In hot or cold weather, allow equipment to return to room temperature before turning on.
When moving a personal computer, "park" the hard disk using the program often included on the diagnostic diskette. To protect a floppy disk, drive put in an old or blank disk and close the drive. Back-up important diskettes.
When moving a compact disc player, check instructions to secure the laser. Heat can warp compact discs, so don't move them in a vehicle, which may get too hot.
For all electronic equipment, be sure to check your owner's manual for special moving instructions.

China and crystal.
Wrap in soft paper, then pack in shredded newspaper.
Place any cracked, nicked, or scratched pieces in a special box labeled “Extra Fragile.”

Lamps
Remove all bulbs and shades before packing.
Wrap in soft paper, old clothing, or pillowcases.