A Complete Moving Checklist from Atlas Van Lines

Simplify your move. Ease the adjustment.

Here at Atlas, we want to make sure that you are prepared for your big move! In this checklist, you will find a few tasks you can do each day to help simplify your move and ease the adjustment to your new home. You can also find a personalized day-by-day checklist and calendar from Atlas, by clicking here.

4 weeks before moving:

•  Walk through your house and decide which items should be discarded or donated to charity.
• Call doctors and dentists. They may recommend a provider near your new home. Get copies of renewable prescriptions and request medical and dental records.
• Arrange transfer of school records. Transfer personal insurance records.
• Check homeowners’ insurance policies to see if moving is covered. Be sure your new home is protected by transferring fire, theft, and other personal property insurance.
• If moving from an apartment, notify your landlord and request apartment deposit back.
• If you have house plants to move, read through the Atlas “How To” brochures and start preparing your plants for the move.
• Before your moving estimate, decide which items you’ll pack, and which you’d like Atlas to pack. We can provide the finest packing materials at reasonable prices.

3 weeks before your move:

• Plan to discard or use up most food items before the move; perishables cannot be transported. Whenever possible, recycle your empty containers. Atlas also participates in Move For Hunger, a non-profit organization that gathers non-perishable food items, and delivers them to local food banks. On the day of your move, your Atlas Agent will collect the items you wish to donate.
• Check and clear tax assessments.
• Arrange to have major appliances serviced before you move them. If this is a company-paid move, check with your Move Coordinator first.
• Atlas can’t take aerosols, flammables, ammunition or bottled gas. It’s best to use them up or give them away before you move.
• If you have pets to transfer, your Atlas Agent can give you advice on the best methods, and our “How To” brochures will also be helpful. Request pets records from the veterinarian. See more information on Atlas “How To” page.
• Notify the post office and get change-of-address forms. Notify magazines to which you subscribe. Note: you must fill out change-of-address form for each person receiving mail at your address.

2 weeks before your move:

• Make your travel reservations for the trip. Call Atlas World-Class Travel: 800-446-2077 or 812-421-7168
• Review and complete the Customer Responsibilities/High Value Inventory Form to give to the van operator.
• Return library books and other things you’ve borrowed. Collect things you’ve loaned, and items in the dry-cleaners, lay-away, cold storage, safety deposit box, etc.
• Arrange to discontinue utilities and delivery services.
• Protect your shipment from damage by disposing of flammables such as gasoline, fireworks, matches, cleaning fluids, bottle gas; or aerosols, acids, and caustic drain cleaners, etc.
• Arrange connection of utilities in your home. Draw up a floor plan of your new home, and indicate placement of furnishings. It makes moving in much easier.
• We are not permitted to take down satellite dishes. We can arrange this service for you. Arrange for cable/satellite TV disconnection.

1 week before moving:

• Transfer bank accounts, and ask your local credit bureau to transfer your records to your new city.
• Reconfirm travel reservations.
• Unless another means of payment has been prearranged, e.g., credit card, personal check, or company paid – payment is due in cash, cashier’s check, or postal money order before your household goods are unloaded at their destination.
• Set aside maps, games, snacks, flashlight, and other items you’ll take in your car. Gather medicines and important papers for the car trip.
• Your local service provider can help you with phone, internet, and cable or satellite service for your new home.
• Drain water from all garden boxes.
• Start packing suitcases.
• Get name, address, and phone number of your Atlas Destination Agent.
•  Drain gasoline and oil from small gasoline-powered equipment.
• Anything we’re packing should be left in place. It’s easier and safer, for example, to pack glassware right from the cabinet where it’s stored.

1 day before moving:

• Put non-combustible cleaning supplies, toiletries and other items you may need first in special boxes to be leaded last, unloaded first.
• Finish packing all suitcases.
• Defrost, clean and dry refrigerated and chest freezer.
• It’s helpful to update current contact information for friends and local businesses before the big move.

Moving Day:

• Remember to give the van operator your signed Customer Responsibility/High Value Inventory Form (this form must be signed even if no items are listed.) Be on hand all day to answer questions and to sign the Bill of Lading. Confirm your delivery date, new address and the phone number where you can be reached.
• Make final check of every room and storage area.
• Make sure windows and doors are locked, keys are transferred and lights are out.

Moving In:

• It’s a good idea to be at your new home a day ahead of the van so you can make sure utilities are connected, and plan placement of major items in your home.