Start early. Two months early if your schedule permits. This will allow you plenty of time to attend to the details of moving, which we'll help you identify and track below.

Find a Mover
Maybe the mover is you, your family and friends, in which case you'll want to reserve a truck, purchase packing materials and tools, and look into buying moving insurance to cover inadverted damages. More likely you'll be hiring professionals. It goes without saying that you'll want to shop around and compare not only pricing but reputation, service record and professionalism. A call to the Better Business Bureau is a quick way to check the moving company's customer service record. Also, make sure you're clear about the company's insurance coverage and any special service fees associated with packing, loading, or weight limits. When you've found a reputable mover, make your reservation.

Reduce Your Load
Unwanted items can be donated to charity (be sure to document the value of what you give so you can collect your tax benefits next April). Hold a garage sale. Begin to eliminate perishable items. And dispose of all toxic chemicals - that includes motor oil, household cleaners, antifreeze, and paint, to name a few - with your proper waste collection facility.

Begin Packing
Pick up your sturdy cardboard boxes and packing materials. The essentials: marking pen, newspaper, packing tape, and scissors. Begin to box items that you're not currently using. A couple other rules of the road: avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box and clearly label the outside with information about what's inside, whether it's fragile, what room it belongs in.

Change of Address Alert
To ensure there's no disruption in your mail service, give the post office plenty of notice. In the United States, you can submit a Change of Address form online by visiting the U.S. Postal Service Web Site. You can fill out an IRS change of address form by visiting the Social Security Administration's Web Site. You'll also want to notify any institution (banks, clubs, doctor offices) currently reaching you at your current address (checking the "change of address" box on your monthly bill now will save you from a call later). And, finally, you'll want to notify all your family and friends.

Confirm Movers
Verify your dates and start time.

Switch Utility Services
Contact your water, sewer, electrical, gas, home security, rubbish disposal, telephone, and cable companies. Tell them when your moving and when you need your services transferred. You'll find contact information for the utility companies servicing your new home here on pulte.com - just visit your new home's Community page.

Keep Packing
The physical work begins in earnest now, but remember not to pack absolutely everything. There are some items you'll need on your moving day, such as cleaning supplies (which you'll want available for whomever is making the last cleaning rounds in your existing house), toys for your children, and a limited supply of food and clothes. Also, for obvious reasons, make sure important documents such as your contract with the movers don't get boxed.

Final Prep
Empty and clean the refrigerator. Dispose of all perishable food. Set fragile and valuable items aside for special handling. Remove interior doors to make it easier for the movers to maneuver large items around and out of the house. Make sure you've set aside food for the next day (for yourself and even the movers). And also set aside the medicine and toiletry items you may need in the next 24 hours.