Obtain a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep in which room or area of your new home.

Begin an inventory of all your household goods that you currently possess. This is a great time to donate items that you will no longer need.

Contact your insurance agent and ask them about your homeowner's policy to determine whether your possessions are covered while moving.

Establish a file for all moving papers and receipts and keep these documents together and have these available .

Arrange to transfer your children's school records.

Begin searching for good health-care professionals in your new location.

Fill out post-office change-of-address cards.

Submit your new address to insurance agencies , credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, etc.

Hold a moving/garage sale and donate all unsold items to charities.

Obtain necessary moving supplies: boxes, tapes, labels, etc. Start packing!

If you hired a moving company to  pack, make moving arrangements one or two days before loading begins.

Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning if necessary.

Keep valuable personal papers that you may need upon arrival at your destination, including medical and dental records, school records, birth certificates, etc.

Make travel plans and arrange any motel or other reservations.

Arrange to have utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, water, etc.) disconnected in your present home and connected at your new home.

Prepare all vehicle registrations and insurance records for transfer. Notify State Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.

If necessary, reserve apartment elevator for pickup and/ or delivery dates.

Arrange to move pets. If you are relocating via airplane, most airlines need your pet to be certified and cleared for air travel within these 2 weeks of your flight.

Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammable liquids.

Transfer all bank accounts.

Cancel newspaper delivery.

Have enough medication to last at least two weeks. Have prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your new destination.

Make arrangements to finance your move. Withdraw items and close safety deposit boxes.

Have the moving company pack your goods (unless doing it yourself).

Set aside valuable items to carry with you, including jewelry, vital docs, money and other small important items.

Complete information on bill of lading and read the document thoroughly before you sign it.

Before the moving vehicle leaves, take one final look through the house to make certain nothing has been left behind. this is a great time to give the driver directions to your new home.

Notify the driver and the van line of how you can be reached during the move by exchanging cell phones etc.

Supervise unloading and unpacking.

Check for any damaged or missing items.

At the end of the move, check the truck and make sure it's empty and that there was nothing left behind.

Be sure you have your copies of the bill of landing on hand.