Moving Tips

There's no time like the present to start preparing for your move. Here's a TO DO list to guide to through an easier move.

• Mail the Postal Service Change Of Address Form at least 2 weeks prior to moving, if possible. You can get the form from your local post office, or you can download it at www.usps.com.
  
• Schedule a rental truck and/or moving company. Visit the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (USDOT) web site http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm for recommendations for choosing a moving company.
  
• Get packing supplies and pack your "survival kit." Pack a box or bag of items you will need during your move, such as: basic tools, payment for movers, towels, soap, toilet paper, snacks, drinks, disposable utensils, cleaning supplies, eyeglasses, medications, telephone, checkbook, clothes, keys, map, directions to your new home, children's games, pet supplies (including a new ID tag with your new address in case your pet is lost or separated from you during the move). Keep these items separated from those that are to be loaded onto the moving truck.
  
• Contact utility companies at least two weeks prior to your move. Have your new service connected in your name the day before you move in. Have the service turned off at your old address the day after you move. Too often, people have had the service disconnected too soon, and are left without electricity or water in those final moving hours. This is no fun! Look below for utility company links.
  
  

  Water Department	http://www.fortworthgov.org/water/
  Electric Companies	http://www.powertochoose.org/ http://www.reliant.com http://www.txu.com
  Gas Company	http://www.atmosenergy.com/home/index.html
  Phone Companies	http://www.vonage.com AT&T - -– This company also offers bundles.
  Cable/ Satellite	http://www.charter.com/ - This company can do cable, internet and phone service bundles. http://www.dishtv.com

  
  
• Make rental car, airline, and hotel arrangements, if necessary.
  
• Register your kids in their new schools. For Independent School District (ISD) information for specific communities in Tarrant County, go to our Communities page and click on the appropriate city name.
  
• Arrange for new doctors and dentists.
  
• Update or open new bank accounts.
  
• A day or two before closing, call your real estate agent to get the $ amount you will need to bring to closing. The check must be a cashier's or bank check, personal checks are not accepted. Bring your driver's license to closing for identification purposes, and if you know your new phone number, bring that too.
  
• Misc. Toll Free Numbers: