Moving an entire household from one place to another can seem overwhelming. How will you get it all done, or even keep track of everything that must be done? With this countdown checklist, you’ll have the security of knowing exactly what you must do and the pleasure of ticking off each item as you accomplish it.

TWO MONTHS BEFORE YOUR MOVE

1. Make up a budget. Estimate the cost of your move and make a file for all moving-related paperwork (and receipts for expenses, if your move is tax deductible).

2. Select a moving company. Meet with your mover to go over every detail of the move, including scheduling, packing, loading, delivery, insurance coverage, claims procedures, and all costs.

3. Weed out your belongings. Now is the time to sort through books, clothes, furnishings, or other household items that you no longer want or need. Hold a garage sale or donate them.

4. Repair, refurbish, dry-clean. Send out drapes for cleaning, have carpets shampooed, repair any broken furniture or other items you’ve been meaning to mend.

ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR MOVE

1. Notify your doctor, dentist, and veterinarian of the move and have records and prescriptions transferred to your new city (or copied and given directly to you).

2. Arrange for a records transfer for anyone in the family attending school.

3. If pets are being shipped, call airlines and select the one you’ll use; ask about required vaccinations and make a checkup appointment with the vet. If pets aren’t being shipped, consider boarding them during the move.

4. Notify your bank. Ask if they can transfer your account to your new location or ask for banking recommendations in your new city.

5. Cancel newspaper and stop other deliveries.

6. Send change of address cards to your post office, and to magazines, creditors, friends, accountant, attorney, employers, etc.

7. Notify insurance companies (auto, homeowner’s, health, etc.) of the move.

8. Call the Department of Motor Vehicles in your new city to ask about auto registration and licensing requirements.

9. Call local utility companies to request disconnection. Plan to leave all utilities, including the telephone, turned on until the house is empty and cleaned up. Give companies your forwarding address for any refunds due you.

10. Arrange to have utilities connected in your new location.

THREE WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE

1. Gather moving supplies.

2. Empty your safe deposit box. Pack the contents in a box or file you will carry yourself.

3. Start packing. Work on one room at a time and begin by packing the items you use least often. Label boxes clearly, indicating the room and noting the contents. Put heavy items (like books) in small boxes and light ones in large.

4. Eat up perishables. Invite neighbors or friends over for a “leftovers” party. Serve a few drinks, as movers won’t transport open liquor bottles.

5. Dispose of flammable and combustible material. Movers won’t take these.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR MOVE

1. Make a floor plan of your new house for the movers. A drawing that shows them where you want the furniture will make their job go more smoothly and free you to attend to many other details.

2. Make arrangements for a place to stay the night your household is loaded and trucked off by the movers.

3. Return library books and videos. Also return neighbors’ house keys and any items you may have borrowed.

4. Arrange to have your house and yard maintained. If the place will stand empty for any length of time, ask a neighbor to water the yard and keep an eye on the house. Notify the local police department that the home will be empty.

5. Call gas company and other necessary serviceman to disconnect appliances and prepare them for the move. Arrange to have them reconnected at your destination.

6. Find homes for houseplants. If you’re making a long-distance move and can’t take plants with you, distribute them to friends and neighbors.

THE WEEK OF THE MOVE

1. Back up your computer and carefully pack your diskettes. Disassemble the computer, labeling cables, wires, and ports.

2. Pack your family’s “survival kit.” Label this box “Last On First Off” so the movers will know what to do with it.

3. Pack suitcases. Pack clothes you’re not sending with the movers.

4. Clean the refrigerator, stove, and oven. Defrost and dry the refrigerator if it’s being moved. Put charcoal or baking soda in the dishwasher and refrigerator to prevent mildew.

5. Give movers your new address and phone number.

6. Label items that will stay in the old house. Your movers may give you red tags for these items. If you’re making the labels yourself, make sure they stand out clearly.

7. Reconfirm arrangements for kennel, baby-sitter, pet shipping.

8. Buy drinks and snacks for friends, family, and helpers on moving day. Don’t forget disposable cups.

9. Obtain payment for movers. Depending on the terms, you may need to pay the movers with cash or traveler’s checks before they unload your belongings. Have tens and twenties on hand if you plan to tip them.

MOVING DAY

1. Be ready to direct movers when they arrive.

2. Do a final walk-through of your home to be sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

3. Put out the trash. After the movers leave, walk through the house again and pick up anything left behind. Put trash out on the curb.

4. Make sure the doors and windows are locked.