moving tips

  
8 Weeks Out: Schedule a free In-Home Estimate

• Go through every      room in your house to sort through what will move with you and what will      not.

· Schedule a free in home estimate.

· You will have to decide if you will be doing the packing or if you want to leave it for us to do.

 6 Weeks Out: Notify Your Utilities and Service Providers

· Notify the post office, water, electric, cable, etc that you are moving. (See Utility links above for links to many websites for easy access) 

· Change your address with your banks, insurance providers, credit cards and magazine subscriptions. 

· Update your information with doctors, lawyers, accountants and any other professional services. 

 5 Weeks Out: Have a Garage Sale or Donate Unwanted Items 

· Have a garage sale or online auction to dispose of any unwanted items.

· Donate your unwanted clothing, furniture or other household goods (pots, pans, dishes, bedding, etc.) to your favorite local charities. Don’t forget to grab receipts showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions.

 4 Weeks Out: Check in with your mover

· Notify us if you add or subtract items from your planned move or if there are any changes in dates.

· Be sure to supply us with the destination address and phone numbers where you can be reached.

 3 Weeks Out: Prepare your friends and family

· Think about what items you’ll need with you for the trip and for your first night in your new home. Set them aside so they don’t accidentally get packed.

· If you’re packing yourself, get a head start now so you aren’t overwhelmed at the last minute. Books, out of season clothes and decorative items are a great place to start.

· Read our packing tips and plan your approach.

· You must dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition and poisons such as weed killer. Drain fuel from your power mower and other machinery and tighten all gas caps. Discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other substances that may be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that may leak. 

· Discard propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.

· Set an appointment with a service technician to prepare your major appliances for shipment, 

· Set a date for having utilities disconnected. If possible, plan to keep utilities in service through moving day.

· Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving because some products might soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.

· Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture could cause mold if furniture must be placed in storage. 

 2 Weeks Out: Plan for your pets

· Make sure you have made travel plans for your pets. If you need to board them or leave them with friends, confirm those plans now.

· Take your pets to the vet and make sure you have any required health certificates or inoculations – every state has different requirements.

· Pick up anything you had cleaned, stored or repaired.

· Empty your locker at the club, gym or bowling alley.

· Return anything you have borrowed from friends or neighbors, including library books.

· Make sure you have not forgotten any of the critical items.

· Have you packed or gotten rid of everything that’s not moving?

 1 Week to go: Last minute details

· Make sure all your appliances have been disconnected 

One Day Away

· Point out any extra-fragile items needing special attention. If certain items should not be packed or moved, mark them appropriately.

· Label any items or boxes you will want first when the truck arrives at your new home (valuables, electronics, etc.).

· If you are doing your own packing, make sure everything is ready to go before moving day. 

· If we are helping you pack, collect things you definitely want packed together, such as children's toys, and place in separate groups.

· Unplug all electronic appliances 24 hours in advance of a move, except plasma televisions, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos and audio/video equipment. 

 Moving day

· Make it a point to be on hand to see that all of your goods are loaded; remain close by until loading is complete. 

 Take a last look around

· Water shut off?

· Furnace and air conditioner shut off?

· Light switches turned off?

· All utilities arranged for disconnection?

· Windows shut and locked?

· Old house keys surrendered?

· Have you left anything?

 Delivery day

· Be on hand to accept delivery. If you cannot be there in-person, be sure you authorize an adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay the charges for you.

· When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including the laying of rugs and setting up any beds disassembled at origin. 

· Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.

· To help avoid possible damage, leave appliances and electronics turned off for about 24 hours while they adjust to new room temperatures.

 Settling in: one week after move

· It is time to make it official! Check in with your new post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to start.

· Check state (and local) requirements for auto registration and a driver's license.