Moving is a serious undertaking, whether you’re heading down the road or across the country. Get prepared with the following checklist of items to contend with two months before moving.

Two Months Before Moving:

• Start a file for all paperwork related to the move, such as estimates and receipts.
  
• Get estimates from moving companies, or from truck rental companies, and select one.
  
• Create a floor plan of your new home to determine furniture and appliance placement.
  
• Inventory your household items.
  
• Remove clutter, unwanted and unused items. Consider organizing a garage sale or donate goods.
  
• Arrange to transfer school records.
  
• Coordinate contractors to help you get your new home ready, such as painters, carpenters, plumbers, roofers, etc.

One Month Before Moving:

• Fill out a Change of Address Form for the post office.
  
• Fill out an IRS change of address form.
  
• Make arrangements for storage, if necessary.
  
• Make travel arrangements, if necessary, with airlines, buses, car rental agencies and hotels.
  
• Obtain medical and dental records. Ask your doctor and dentist for referrals. Transfer prescriptions.
  
• Set up a checking account in your new city.
  
• Check into the laws and requirements of your new city regarding home-based businesses, professional tests, business licenses and any special laws that might be applicable to you.
  
• Take inventory of your belongings before they're packed, in the event you need to file an insurance claim later. If possible, take pictures or video tape your belongings. Record serial numbers of electronic equipment.
  
• Make arrangements for transporting pets.
  
• Start using up food items, so that there is less left to pack and possibly spoil.
  
• Use cleaning supplies that cannot be moved and dispose of items that can’t be moved, such as flammable liquids.
  
• Disconnect all utility services at your old home (have them disconnected the day after you leave) and schedule utilities to be connected at your new one (have them connected the day before you arrive). Request any refunds due to you from the disconnections at the old house.
  
• Buy moving boxes, or ask your local supermarket if they have any ones in the back they aren’t using, and start packing.
  
• Collect all important records, such as birth certificates, passports and insurance documents.
  
• Transfer your auto registration if moving to another state.
  
• Have your garage sale-moving sale.

Use this moving checklist as a guideline for tasks to complete two months before moving.