Clean out your closets, cupboards, toy chests, shelves, attic, garage and basement. It is a good idea to discard anything you do not want or need. A rule of thumb is if you did not use something in the last year or two, chances are you do not really need it. Consider having a garage sale, gift unwanted items to friends and neighbors or donate them to charities. You may be able to collect a tax receipt on the value of your donation.
Arrange to collect any advance or security deposits on utilities or rentals. These could be a nice addition to your tight relocation budget.
Evaluate whether to ship your appliances and old furniture. Consider how old they are and how well they will fit into your new decor. Make sure you do not bring a gas stove into an electric home. Also, if your refrigerator, washer or dryer will not fit in your new home, consider leaving them behind.
Make a complete list of items to be moved. Decide which plants will come with you and which will stay behind.
Use up your food. Frozen foods can not be shipped safely. It is likewise unnecessary to carry a heavy load of canned or packaged foods with you.
Notify the security company and all other regular service providers such as lawn or snow removal companies of your moving date.
Notify your post office, subscription publications, and other correspondents of your moving date and provide them with your new address.
Check your homeowner’s insurance and make arrangements to renew your policy. You should contact an insurance company at your destination.
Check the status of your club memberships. The money you paid in advance may be refunded or you might consider transferring the membership to a friend.
Consult your veterinarian regarding your pet’s travel needs and make the necessary preparations
Collect the items you lent to your friends such as books and CDs and give back all the items you borrowed. Do not forget to return library books and video rentals.
Research schools in your new neighborhood and register your children. Make arrangements to transfer all necessary school records.
Check your checking and savings accounts. Plan for transfer of deposits so you will not lose interest. If needed, your bank or Credit Union can be used as a credit reference.
Plan your moving date and take into consideration your travel plans and the closing date of your new home.
How to Disassemble a Dresser Drawer
When the time comes for relocation, you may have concerns about how you’re going to fit everything into the moving vehicle. You can make space by taking apart items that don’t take much effort to reassemble. To begin shrinking things like armoires and dressers, you start by disassembling the drawers; when you arrive at your destination, you can put them back together in no time.
Slide the drawer completely out of the dresser. Lay it on a carpeted floor or a soft mat, so you can work on it without damaging the parts.
Remove the slide bars (the bars on the side of the drawer that have wheels on them) by taking the screws out.
Twist the retaining screws (a circular screw that locks another dow pin in place) to release the dow pins that secure the front of the drawer.
Pull off the front of the drawer. You may need to apply some force. Gently tap the inside of the front of the drawer with the hammer or rubber mallet until it’s loose enough to pull off.
Slide out the bottom of the drawer, leaving the two sides and the back.
Remove the two sides by tapping them gently with the hammer or rubber mallet. They are secured by dow pins. Tapping the sides will loosen them, just like the ones in the front of the drawer. Once they’re loosened, pull them off.