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| 6-8
Weeks before move |
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• Organization is the key for a smooth move and this is the time to start
working on the details of your move.
• Check with the movers to
ensure your move is scheduled.
• This is the time to decide what items you wish
to transport to your new home and what you may want
to dispose of. If you decide to dispose of items that
you don’t need you should either donate them
to a charity or consider having a garage sale. Contact
a local charity or pick a date at least two weeks before
the moving date for the garage sale. Advertise the
garage sale locally. Team up with your neighbors who
want to sell some of their old belongings and plan
a large neighborhood "sale".
• Start accumulating the moving and packing supplies
that you need if you plan to do your own packing or partial
packing. You can purchase moving
boxes or packing supplies at your local box
supply stores, moving
companies or even online. All boxes that you
purchase from a van line agent or a moving supply company are specially designed for the moving industry to prevent
any damages to your belongings. Getting boxes from other
sources may create some difficulties when packed in the
van. These boxes may be unusually sized and may not be
strong enough to prevent damages to items packed inside.
• Think about your new home layout and start thinking about where you'll
place the furniture. Create a floor plan of your new home and this will help
reduce the stress of making decisions when your furniture arrives at your new
home.
• Get familiar with your new community. Request information from the local
Chamber of Commerce on schools, community programs, parks and recreation facilities.
• All travel arrangements (hotel, flights, car rental, etc.) for your
family should be made at this time. Try to keep your plan as flexible as possible
to accommodate any schedule changes or delays.
• Keep all receipts for moving related expenses in a designated moving
folder. Many moving expenses are tax deductible.
• Finalize all real estate and rental needs.
• Contact your insurance agent to transfer medical, property, fire and
auto insurance.
• All medical and dental records should be placed in a safe and accessible
place. Be sure to include prescription and vaccination records.
• Plan on taking all important documents, such as wills, stock certificates,
and other one of a kind items (jewelry, coin collection, photos etc.) with
you. Place the items in one easily identifiable and easy to locate folder.
• Return all the things you have borrowed.
• Notify schools in the old and new location and arrange for the transfer
of school records and begin the process of registering in new schools.
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| 4-5
Weeks before move |
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• Contact or visit your local Post Office to
obtain a Change of Address form. You can also obtain
this form online at the postal service website.
You can make copies of this change of address form
or make up your own change of address notice to give
to the following people and businesses.
1. Friends and family
2. Banks
3. Insurance companies
4. Credit card companies
5. Doctors, dentists and any other service providers
6. Clubs or Associations
7. Magazine and Newspaper subscriptions
• This is a good time to take a look at what
you own, and decide what must go and what can be
left behind. All items such as old books, magazines,
broken items and old toys can be left behind. Remember,
adding more weight to your shipment will cost you
more money.
• Organize your move by deciding
and making lists of what items you will not transport,
what items your van line agent will move and what
items you will move yourself.
• Make a decision
on who will do most of or all of the packing. It
is a good idea that you let the van line agent do
most of the packing. The van line agents know the
best methods for keeping items safe and secure as
this is what they do for a living.
• If you do
most of the packing or all the packing please refer
to our packing guide. Ask the van line agent you
use for further details about handling unusual and
delicate items and begin preparing those items that
are not frequently used.
• Get your kids involved in the moving process.
Allow your kids to do some supervised packing. Let
them suggest a layout for their new room. Make it
fun and exciting for them to move.
• Contact utility providers (e.g. telephone,
gas, electric, cable TV and trash collection) at
new and old locations with your moving date to make
arrangements for connection and disconnection.
• Complete banking arrangements in old and
new location and transfer any funds to your new bank
if necessary.
• Check requirements for new drivers license and
auto registration in your destination state.
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| 3
Weeks before move |
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• Notify your van line agent if there are any
changes in the dates of your move. If you will need
any additional accessorial services such as piano
moving, packing and unpacking, or storage you should
inform the van line agent for pricing information.
Also inform the van line agent if you add or subtract
items from your planned shipment.
• Decide how much packing you will handle yourself.
You should inform the van line agent of any items
that you decided for him/her to pack.
• Whether you move your car with the van line
agent or a car carrier, you should make your final
reservation for a car pick up at this time.
• Consider giving your plants to friends or
a charity if you are moving from one state to another.
Some state laws prohibit the moving of houseplants.
• Make transportation arrangements for your
pets. Take your pets to your veterinarian to ensure
proper up to date health certificates and rabies
inoculations. Some states will require these documents.
• You will need to carry all valuable jewelry
with you. If you have any valuables around the house,
be sure to collect them before leaving.
• Return any borrowed items such as library
books. Also collect all items that are being repaired
stored or cleaned (clothing, furs, shoes etc.).
• If you are moving to a building with an elevator
make sure the elevator will be available on your intended
day and time of arrival at your destination.
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| 2
Weeks before move |
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• Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore
in your new city. Clear all your safety deposit boxes.
• Disconnect and disassemble your computer
system before your move. Back up all your computer
files on a disk. Consider taking all back up files
and disks with you in the car or whatever mode of
transportation you will be using to get to your new
home. Remember, exposure to extreme temperatures
can damage your software.
• Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear
your home including closets, basement and attic.
• Dispose of items that represent a hazard
and are not allowed to be shipped. Please refer to
the “items not to pack” section for more
information on what you cannot or should not ship.
• Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are
non-toxic and non-flammable in plastic bags.
• Drain your lawn mower, snow blower and power
tools of all the oil and gasoline to ensure safe
transportation.
• Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation
with a service provider.
• If you need to use outside storage call your
van line agent about storage options available.
• Have your automobile serviced if you plan
to travel by car.
• Cancel newspapers and other regular deliveries
• Clean out gym and school lockers.
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| 1
Week before move |
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• Make
sure to separate out which items you'll take with you
and which items the movers will take. Items you may
wish to take with you could be jewelry and important
documentation.
• Make sure you haven't overlooked anything in the house including minor
repairs
• Mark the boxes to be shipped with the words, "Fragile", "Do
Not Load" and "Load Last" stickers.
• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator,
freezer and clean your stove all at least 24 hours
before moving to let them air out. Try using baking
soda to get rid of any odors. You can also leave
a container of baking soda in the refrigerator.
• Mow your lawn one last time before you move.
• Prepare items you will need while your goods
are in transit. Pack your suitcases and confirm travel
arrangements for you and your family. Try to keep
plans as flexible as possible in the event of unexpected
delays or schedule changes.
• Make sure your agent knows the address and
phone number of your new home. You should also provide
an address and phone number of where you can be reached
until you will get to your new home.
• Arrange for payment to the van line agent.
Contact your van line agent to inquire about methods
of payment accepted. Generally this will be cash
on delivery (COD).
• Verify your insurance you have chosen with
your van line agent. Refer to our “Insurance
and Liability” guide for more information.
• Pick up any dry cleaning and laundry.
• Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants.
• Return videos and library books.
• Prepare your “first night back” and “ready
box”. Your first night box should contain the
clothing and toiletries you will need for the first
night in your new home. See “first night bag
guide”.
• Disconnect and clean any appliances that
will be moving with you and those that will remain.
• Gather keys, alarm codes, garage door openers
and be prepared to hand them over to the new.
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| Moving
day! |
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Move out day and Move in day
• "Work" with the movers and be on hand when the movers arrive.
If you are not able to be present while the movers are there, designate a friend
or family member to help out and make decisions in your absence. Let the van
line agent know to whom you have given the authority. Be sure that your chosen
representative knows exactly what to do and which valuation liability program
and amount you have selected. This person may be asked to sign documents obligating
you to charges.
• Hand over keys, alarm codes and garage door
remote controls to the new owner or real estate agent.
• Provide the new phone number and all other
phone numbers where you can be reached while shipment
is in transit. Make sure to take along the destination
agent's name, address and telephone number.
• Provide the driver with clear directions
to your new home
• Review all paper work and details when the
van operator arrives. Accompany the driver as he
or she inspects each piece of furniture with tags
of identifying number. These numbers along with a
detailed description of your goods at the time of
loading will appear on the inventory.
• Stay home until the last item is packed.
Make a final inspection before the van operator leaves.
Check the mover’s inventory and make sure you
agree with any notations about the condition of your
furnishings. Take pictures if necessary. It is your
responsibility to see all of your goods are loaded.
Leave your phone connected throughout moving day.
After the movers leave, pack your phone in one of
your suitcases for easy access when you arrive to
your new home.
• Clean your house as much as you can before
the moving van arrives. Search every room, closet
and around the house before the moving van arrives.
• The driver will contact you or the destination
agent at least 24 hours prior to expected arrival
time. This allows enough time to locate you and begin
preparation for unloading. It is your responsibility
to contact the destination agent if you cannot be
reached.
• Review your floor plan so you can tell the
movers where to place your furniture and appliances.
Make yourself available for the movers for instructions
on where to place your furniture while unloading.
Stay there in case there are any questions.
• If you cannot be at your home while the van
is being unloaded be sure to authorize a representative
to accept delivery and pay the charges for you. Inform
the destination agent of your representative’s
name. Your representative will be asked to note any
change in the condition of your goods noted on the
inventory at the time of loading, and to note any
missing items at the time of delivery.
• By signing the inventory sheet, you are acknowledging
the receipt of all items listed. Document any loss
or damage on the inventory sheet and report this
to the van line agent at destination, immediately.
Make sure you have your reference number when calling
the van line agent for questions or concerns. You
will also be asked to sign the bill of lading and
pack/unpack certificate.
• Get a baby sitter for your kids during the loading and unloading process.
• Put your pets in a room where they will not
be in the way of the loading and unloading process.
• If you wish to have your goods unpacked you
need to order this service in advance. Limited unpacking
and removal of
cartons may be requested on move in day.
• Do not use your stereos, computers, televisions,
other electronic devices and appliances for 24 hours
after delivery to prevent possible damage. Allow
them to adjust to room temperature.
• Payment is required upon delivery in cash,
traveler’s checks, money order or cashier’s
check. Personal checks are not accepted. Unless other
arrangements were made in advance you are required
by federal regulation to pay upon delivery for interstate
moves.
• Verify that all utilities have been disconnected
in your old home and connected in your new home.
Have your phone connected a day before move-in day.
owner or real estate agent.
• If your old home will be unoccupied for a
period of time after you move, notify the police.
After Moving
Settling In
• Locate your local post office, police station, fire station and hospitals
as well as gas stations near your home.
• Become familiar with your neighborhood shopping
areas. You may need housewares, tools or other items
for your new home unexpectedly.
• Call the department of sanitation in your
new home to find out which day the trash is collected
and what type of recycling programs are available
in your community.
• Get new service providers such as a bank,
pharmacist, cleaner, cable television etc if you
have not already done so.
• Contact your local DMV if you have moved
to a different state to exchange your driver’s
license and register your vehicle.
• Provide your new doctor and dentist with
your medical history.
• Transfer insurance policies to your new agent.
You may also wish to make a detailed list of your
belongings, their value, and
your coverage.
• Get information on schools, libraries, community
activities and emergency calling service from your
local Chamber of Commerce.
• Obtain local library cards.
• Register to vote in your new city.
• Decide which documents must be kept and determine
for how long. File and keep them in a safe place. |
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