PACKING
Eliminate
Everything that you do not want to move. Moving is a great time to sort through the items that you collect.
Dresser Drawers
May remain full with clothes, towels and linens. (Triple dressers, desks, armoires and lateral filling cabinets do, however, need to be emptied.)
First Day Arrival Items
Make sure you use some of your drawers to put a clean set of linens for each bed, and a clean towel and sleepwear for each person. This way you do not have to find certain boxes on delivery day.
UTILITIES, RECORDS & OTHER SERVICES
Obtain Records
Obtain the following records: Children's school records, dental and medical records, veterinary records.
Compile List
Compile a list of names, addresses and phone numbers for those persons you may need to contact once you're at your destination.
Change of Address Forms
Send change of address forms to the Post Office, DMV, insurance companies, finance companies, business contacts, friends and relatives.
Discontinue Utilities
Contact the cable, telephone, water and power companies to discontinue service. Arrange to have the cut off day to be the day after your load date.
Discontinue Other Services
Give dates for discontinuing service for fuel, newspaper, milk, laundry, cleaning, garbage, etc...
Club Memberships
Sell, transfer or resign club memberships
Bank Accounts
Have the bank transfer accounts and get cash/travelers checks for your trip.
Utilities at New Location
Arrange to have utilities turned on the day before move in.
APPLIANCES
Disconnect Appliances
The following appliances should be disconnected by you or the moving company will arrange to have a professional do it for a fee: washer, dryer, refrigerator (ice maker), swing set, pool table, grandfather clocks, waterbed.
Disconnect Stereos, TV's & Computers
You will need to disconnect and reconnect stereos, televisions, VCR's and computers.
NON-MOVABLE ITEMS
Plants
Moving companies cannot assume responsibility for living plants. Drivers may make an attempt to get them to the destination for you, but if any damage is done, the moving company will not take responsibility for it. Keep in mind that it will be dark, with no water available, and there is no controlling temperature inside of the truck.
Flammable Items
Flammable items may not be transported by the movers. Such items are: paint, oil, propane tanks, finger nail polish and remover, matches, batteries, ammunition, and any other items that if spilled, would cause permanent damage to your belongings.
Permanent Attachments
Movers are not allowed to dismantle any items that are permanently attached to your house.
Frozen Foods
Begin to use your frozen food supply. Movers do not move any frozen or refrigerated items. Make sure that you defrost your freezer 24 hours in advance of the mover arriving if you are moving it.
FOR MOVE DAY
Valuable Documents
Transport all valuable documents with you: birth certificates, marriage license, stocks and bonds.
Family Momentos & Albums
Move family mementos and albums with you. If anything catastrophic were to happen to the truck, we can replace furniture, clothes and other items, but family treasures are irreplaceable.
24-Hour Box
You will need to develop a 24-hour box. Inside this box, you should put items that you will need to access in the first 24 hours, such as: alarm clock, phone, VCR, video tapes, bowls, utensils, bathroom tissue, napkins, cereal, coffee pot, etc...
Take It With You
Have all items that you are going to transport in your car out of the house before the movers arrive. The last thing you want is for the movers to load something that they were not supposed to.
"Do Not Move" Signs
Clearly mark with signs any items that you do not want the mover to move.
ON MOVE DAY
Be Ready
To move when the movers arrive. Make sure any packing is completed the day before the movers arrive.
Final Tour
Make a final tour of the premises to be sure everything has been packed and loaded.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
New House Readiness
Make certain the house is ready for occupancy when the van arrives.
UNLOADING AT THE NEW LOCATION
Direct Placement of Each Piece
As the movers unload, direct placement of each piece. They will lay rugs and set up beds and furniture, but they are not allowed to install or attach appliances or fixtures, hang pictures, mirrors, curtain rods or racks.
Check Condition of Each Piece
Check the condition of your belongings as they are unloaded. If any items are damaged or missing, inform the driver- this is important! Make a note, even if boxes are damaged on the outside.