Printable Moving Checklist in Fort Myers, FL Movers

Information may not be reliable

Two Months Before Moving

Get Organized

• Create a moving binder and use it to organize receipts, a moving schedule, a list of things to pack, and any other moving information.
• If possible, obtain room and doorway measurements  from your new home and confirm large pieces of furniture will fit inside. Draw up a floor plan and indicate the placement of furnishings to reduce time and frustration.

Purge

• Tour every room of your current home and determine which items should be discarded or donated.
• Consider a garage sale. Our brochure "How to Hold a Moving Sale" will be helpful.
• Plan to use most food items before the move; perishables cannot be transported by Atlas. Remaining non-perishable food can be donated to Move for Hunger.
• J. W. Cole & Sons is not permitted to move aerosols, flammables, ammunition, or bottled gas.

Prepare to Pack

• Before receiving a moving estimate, decide which items to personally pack and which items J. W. Cole & Sons will pack. J. W. Cole & Sons provides high-performance packing materials at reasonable prices.
• Anything J. W. Cole & Sons packing should be left in place. It's easier and safer, for example, to pack glassware right from the cabinet where it's stored.
• Read through the J. W. Cole & Sons brochure "How to Move Your House Plants," and start preparing plants for the move.

One Month Before Moving

Notify and Transfer

• Request the day off from work.
• If moving from an apartment, notify your landlord and request your apartment deposit be sent to your new address. 
• Arrange to connect utilities to your new home and disconnect utilities in your previous home. Services to activate, transfer or cancel:
  • Cable/Satellite TV
  • Electric
  • Gas or Fuel Oil
  • Internet
  • Laundry
  • Lawn Care Service
  • Newspaper
  • Refuse
  • Telephone
  • Water
• Discontinue delivery services.
• Call doctors and dentists. They may recommend a colleague 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 determine if moving is covered. Be sure your new home is protected by transferring fire, theft, and other personal property insurance.
• Fill out a change of address form at the local Post Office or online. Notify magazines to which you subscribe. Note: You must fill out a change-of-address form for each person receiving mail at your address.
• Transfer bank accounts and ask the local credit bureau to transfer records to your new city. If you have pets, request their records from the veterinarian.
• Check and clear tax assessments.
• Update current contact information and send address change notifications.
  • Clubs or Associations
  • Financial Institutions (Checking Accounts, Savings, Loans or Stocks)
  • Friends and Family
  • Insurance Companies (Life, Homeowners, Health, Auto)
  • Internal Revenue Service and/or other Government Agencies
  • Local Credit Bureau and Creditors (Stores, Credit Cards, etc.)
  • Magazines (The Post Office provides free change-of-address cards for publishers.)
  • Post Office

Three Weeks Before Moving

Make Arrangements

• Arrange to have major appliances serviced before moving them. If your move is company-paid, check with your move coordinator first.
• Moving pets? J. W. Cole & Sons Agents offer advice on the best methods to transfer pets and our brochure "How to Move Your Pets" is also helpful.
• Make travel reservations for the trip. Call Atlas World-Class Travel: 800-466-2077 or 812-421-7168.
• J. W. Cole & Sons is not permitted to take down TV antennas or satellite dishes. We can arrange this service for you.
• Cancel your cable/satellite TV service.
• Local service providers will help with the phone, internet, cable, or satellite service for your new home.

Two Weeks Before Moving

Continue Packing Preparation

• Return library books and other borrowed things.
• Collect items you've loaned, and those at the dry-cleaner, in lay-away, in cold storage, in a safety deposit box, etc.
• Protect your shipment from damage by disposing of flammables such as gasoline, fireworks, matches, cleaning fluids, bottled gas, aerosols, acids, and caustic drain cleaners, etc.

Finishing Touches

• Review and complete the Customer Responsibility/High Value Inventory Form to give to the van operator.
• Fill out a "Welcome to Your New Home" card for the new owners.
• Reconfirm travel reservations.

1 Week Before Moving

Things for the Road

• Set aside maps, games, snacks, flashlights, and other items to take in the car.
• Gather medicines and important papers for the trip.
• Start packing suitcases.

Finalize J. W. Cole & Sons Arrangements

• 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 household goods are unloaded at their destination.
• Request the name, address and phone number of your Atlas Destination Agent.

House Cleaning

• Drain gasoline and oil from small gasoline-powered equipment.
• Drain water from all garden hoses.
• Defrost, clean and dry refrigerators and chest freezers.
• Dispose of any personal property or debris left behind after packing.
• Sweep, vacuum, and/or mop floors.
• Clean sinks, tubs, and counters.
• To receive the entire balance of a rental deposit, most landlords require renters to return the property to its original condition with reasonable wear and tear . Check your lease or contact your landlord for more information.

1 Day Before Moving

Finish Packing Preparation

• Put non-combustible cleaning supplies, toiletries and other items in special boxes to be loaded last and unloaded first.
• Finish packing all suitcases.

Moving Day!

• Give the van operator the signed Customer Responsibility/High Value Inventory Form (this form must be signed - even if no items are listed).

• Remain available to answer questions and to sign the Bill of Lading from J. W. Cole & Sons. Confirm your delivery date, new address and phone number where you can be reached.

• Leave the "Welcome to Your New Home" card in a conspicuous place.

• Conduct a final check of every room and storage area. 

• Ensure windows and doors are locked, keys are transferred and lights are out.

• Note: It's a good idea to arrive at your new home a day ahead of the van to make sure utilities are connected and to determine placement of major items.

Southwest Florida's Most Trusted Moving and Storage Company