• Notify business, financial, and civic institutions of your impending address change.
• Notify your kids' schools and have their records transferred to their new schools.
• Make hotel and airline reservations if you need them.
• Notify U.S. Postal Service of address change (Check our home page for the online form.)
• Start a special donation box for unwanted items.
• Send out change of address cards to friends and relatives.
• Set aside any tools that you will need in order to set up your new household.
• Discuss with your insurance agent your homeowner’s or renter’s coverage for damage protection during the move. You may already be covered and do not need to purchase an additional policy from your mover.
• Check with the IRS to see if your moving expenses are tax deductible and change your address with form 8822.
• Contact the chamber of commerce or visitor's and tourism bureaus in your new community for information on your new city.
• Begin packing non-essential possessions now. A few boxes per day will save you the stress and chaos of last minute rushing…Really.

8 to 14 days before you move

• Return library books or any other borrowed items.
• Collect all the items you may have loaned out.
• Make arrangements to disconnect gas, electric and other utilities for moving day.
• Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new residence. (Check our home page for a time saving, one-stop online form)
• Reserve elevators at either location if necessary
• Transfer drug prescriptions to your new pharmacist
• Cancel/transfer any recurring deliveries such as news, magazines, water, etc.

2 to 7 days before you move

• Confirm moving date and arrival time with mover.
• Dispose of all flammables. Drain lawnmower and other engines.
• Isolate what you're personally bringing with you between homes.
• Arrange for removal of "installed items" you're bringing with you, like a TV antenna or shelves.
• Pack a suitcase with the clothes and toiletries you'll need the first day in your new home.
• Return any cable equipment.
• Pack a special box with other essentials you'll need for the first few days. (Make sure to mark this box "Do Not Move!”).
• Arrange for cleaning services
• If renting, begin move out checklist for landlord.

The day before Moving Day

• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator. Make sure it has at least 24 hours to air dry (unless local move).
• Clean and air your stove.
• Plan your breakfast.
• Pack your personal belongings except your alarm clock.
• Go to sleep early you'll be glad of it tomorrow.

Moving Day

• Collect all keys to locking items. Put them in a safe place.
• Strip the beds. We will dismantle them if you wish.
• Make sure you're at home when the movers arrive so you can sign inventory, contract, etc.
• Leave forwarding address at your move-out location so new occupants can notify you of any issues.

Arrival Of Moving Crew

• Thoroughly walk through the project with company operations manager and inform him of any special instructions.
• Keep your signed bill of lading, contract, and inventory in an easily accessible place.
• Make sure the operations manager has the correct delivery address and phone number. Make note of manager’s field phone number as well.
• Confirm the expected delivery time with the driver.
• Before you leave, do a final walk through of every room. Check all drawers, closets, cabinets, attic, etc. to prevent any thing from being left behind.
• At the end of the day…If you are happy with your move experience, feel free to offer a tip to your service crew. It is a generous way for you to encourage our efforts at providing Santa Barbara with an extraordinarily enjoyable and economical transition!