TOOLBOX

Moving takes lots of time and energy, and can be a stressful experience. Good planning helps. Try to relax and enjoy the adventure. Please remember to call your Berkeley Hills Realty agent if you find yourself in need of moving resources or a reference to a reputable service professional.

Six Weeks before Moving:

• Make an inventory of everything to be moved.
• Collect everything not to be moved for garage sale or charity.
• Contact moving companies for estimates.
• Get cartons and packing materials to start packing.
• Check with employer to find out what moving expenses they will pay.
• Arrange a babysitter and/or pet sitter for moving day.

Four Weeks before Moving:

• Give address change to charge accounts, credit cards, magazine subscriptions, friends and relatives.
• Notify insurance company of new location for coverages; Life, Health, Fire and Auto.
• Check with doctors and dentist for all family records and prescriptions.
• Get children’s school records.
• Check with veterinarian for pet records and immunizations.
• Contact utility companies for refunds of deposits and change of service.

	ATT	PG&E	Water	Garbage	Cable TV
Albany	800-310-2355	800-743-5000	866-403-2683 (EBMUD)	613-8710 (Waste Mngmnt of Alameda Co.)	800-COMCAST (Comcast 800-266-2278)
Berkeley	800-310-2355	800-743-5000	866-403-2683 (EBMUD)	981-7270 (Berkeley Finance Dept., Billing Unit)	800-COMCAST (Comcast 800-266-2278)
El Cerrito	800-310-2355	800-743-5000	866-403-2683 (EBMUD)	237-4321 (East Bay Sanitary)	800-COMCAST (Comcast 800-266-2278)
Kensington	800-310-2355	800-743-5000	866-403-2683 (EBMUD)	237-4614 (Bay View Refuse)	800-COMCAST (Comcast 800-266-2278)
Oakland	800-310-2355	800-743-5000	866-403-2683 (EBMUD)	613-8710 (Waste Mngmnt of Alameda Co.)	800-COMCAST (Comcast 800-266-2278)
Piedmont	800-310-2355	800-743-5000	866-403-2683 (EBMUD)	613-8710 (Waste Mngmnt of Alameda Co.)	800-COMCAST (Comcast 800-266-2278)
Richmond	800-310-2355	800-743-5000	866-403-2683 (EBMUD)	262-1600	800-COMCAST (Comcast 800-266-2278)

• Collect everything you have loaned out; return everything you have borrowed.
• Service power mowers, boats, etc., that are to be moved. Drain all gas/oil to prevent fire.
• Remove all jewelry and other valuables to a safe deposit box or other safe place to prevent loss during move.
• Give away or arrange transportation of house plants (some moving companies will not move plants.) 
• Use up extra pantry items and frozen foods rather than moving them.

One Week before Moving

• Transfer or close checking and savings accounts. 
• Have automobile serviced for trip.
• Plan for special travel needs of infants, children and pets.
• Fill out Post Office change of address forms: moversguide.usps.com
• Check and make inventory of all furniture for dents and scratches; notify moving company of your inventory and compare on final day.
• Dispose of all combustibles, spray cans, house paint and batteries:
• Alameda County; www.stopwaste.org/home
• Contra Costa County; www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/cd/recycle/options
• Pack a separate carton of cleaning utensils and tools (screw driver, hammer, etc.)
• Separate cartons and luggage you need for personal/family travel.
• Have an ice chest ready to hold food from the refrigerator on moving day.
• Mark all boxes that you pack with the room they will go to in the new home.
• Cancel all newspapers, garden service, etc.

Moving Day

• Plan to be at home for the entire moving day. Before the truck leaves, make sure everything is out of the house.
• Tell packers and/or driver about fragile or precious items.
• Double check with driver to make certain moving company records show the proper address of your new house and verify the scheduled delivery date.
• Give the driver your cell phone number in case of a problem.
• Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover cost of moving services and expenses until you make your banking connections in the new city.
• Carry jewelry and documents yourself, or use registered mail.
• Double-check closets, drawers and shelves to be sure they are empty. Clean refrigerator and broom sweep any debris in preparation for new occupant.
• Lock all the doors and windows. Leave old keys needed by new tenant or owner with Realtor or neighbor.

At Your New Address

• Check pilot light on stove water heater, incinerator and furnace.
• Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity and water.
• Apply for state driver’s license/or have new address recorded on driver’s license.
• Register car within five days after arrival in state or a penalty may have to be paid when getting new license plates.
• Register to vote: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections
• Register children in school.
• Arrange for medical services: Doctor, Dentist, etc.