Creating a moving
schedule in advance can be a good aid in preparing your family and
yourself for the move. City Moving Company has created a
"Checklist" of helpful reminders and suggestions that can assist you
in doing so. It will guide you to complete tasks in a
timely manner so you don't become overwhelmed by the enormity of the
job at hand. Review this section for a guide in establishing your
personal moving checklist.
Organization is the key for a smooth move and this is the time
to start getting the details of your move in order.
This is the time to decide what items you wish to transport to
your new home. 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 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 collecting suitable moving and packing supplies if you
plan to do your own packing or partial packing. You can purchase
all these materials from any moving Company or a moving supply
company. All boxes that you purchase from a moving company 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 unusual sizes and they 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
that will prevent 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 neighborhood schools, community
programs, parks, and other recreation services.
All travel arrangements (hotel, flights, car rental, etc.) for
your family should be made at this time. Try to keep your plan
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. Obtain
an IRS Change of Address form, Form 8822, by calling (800)
829-1040 or visiting the IRS website. You will be able to
download and print form 8822 and most other IRS tax Forms &
Brochures; e.g., Form 3903 to help deduct moving expenses.
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, vaccination
records and eyeglass specifications.
Plan on taking all important documents, such as wills, stock
certificates, and other one of a kind items (jewelry, coin
collection, photos etc.).
Contact the Post Office for the Change of Address form to tell
of your move. Give your new address to:
1. Friends and family
2. Banks, insurance companies, and other institutions
3. Credit card companies
4. Doctors, dentists and other service providers
5. Any clubs or associations memberships.
6. Local government agencies, Federal agencies and IRS
7. Magazine and newspaper subscription
It is the 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, old toys can be left behind.
Remember-adding more weight to your shipment costs more money.
Organize your move by deciding and making lists of what items
you will not transport, what items your moving company's agent
will move and what items you will move yourself.
Make a decision if the items not going will be sold at a garage
sale, picked up by a charity or discarded.
Make a decision on who will do most of the packing or all the
packing. It is a good idea that you let the moving company's
agent do most of the packing. The moving company's agents know
the best methods for keeping items safe; that's what they do for
a living.
If you will do most packing or all the packing please refer to
our packing guide. Any one of a kind item must get special
attention. Please ask the moving company's agent you use for
further details about handling unusual and delicate moving
situations. Start preparing those items not used often for your
move.
Get your kids involved with the moving process. Let your kids do
some packing and let them suggest a layout for their new room.
Make it fun and exciting for them to move.
Notify your moving company's agent if there are any changes in
the dates of your move. If you will need any additional
accessorial service such as piano moving, packing and unpacking,
storage you should inform the moving company's agent for pricing
information. Also inform the moving company's agent if you add
or subtract items from your planned shipment.
Decide how much packing you will handle yourself. You should
inform the moving company's agent of any items that you decided
for him/her to pack.
Whether you move your car with the moving company's 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.).
Transfer all prescriptions to a drugstore in your new city. Call
your bank and arrange for the transfer of your accounts. Clear
all your safety deposits boxes.
Disassemble and disconnect your computer system before your
move. Back up all your computer files on a disk. Consider taking
all back up files disks with you in the car. Exposure to extreme
temperatures can damage your software.
Make final packing decisions. Clean and clear your home
including closets, basement and attics and list the items that
you will take.
Dispose of items that represent a hazard and are not allowed to
be shipped. Please refer to
items not allowed to be shipped section for more
information.
Tape and seal all cleaning fluids that are non-toxic,
non-flammable in plastic bags.
Drain your lawn mower, snow blower, 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 store anything call your moving company's agent
about storage options available.
Inform gas, electric, cable, and telephone services of your
move. Arrange to have them disconnected from your present home
the day after your scheduled moving day. Sign up for services at
your new address and connect them on your moving in day.
Have your automobile serviced if your travel is by car.
Make sure to mark which items you'll take yourself, so the
movers won't take them or have any questions.
Make sure you haven't overlooked anything in the house.
Mark your boxes to be shipped with "Fragile", "Do Not Load",
"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.
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 delay or schedule change.
Make sure your agent knows the address and phone number 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 your moving company's agent. Contact your
moving company's agent to inquire about methods of payment
accepted.
Inquire with your moving company agents about protecting your
goods. Please refer to protection options available during your
move.
Work with the movers. Be on hand when the movers arrive. If you
are not able to be present while the movers are there designate
an authorized person who will be authorized to take your place.
Let the moving company's 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.
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.
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. 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.
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 and his or her 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 moving company's agent at
destination, immediately. Make sure you have your reference
number when calling the moving company's agent for questions or
concerns.
Get a baby sitter for your kids during the unloading process.
Put your pets in a room where they will not be in the way of the
loading process.
Unpacking of containers service is available but must be made 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
expected to pay upon delivery.
Make sure all utilities have been connected.
Have your phone connected a day before move-in day.
You will be asked to sign the inventory sheets, bill of lading
and pack/unpack certificate.
Locate your local post office, police, fire stations and
hospitals as well as gas stations near your home.
Get familiar with your neighborhood shopping areas. You may need
house wares, 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.
Contact your local DMV if you moved to a different state to
exchange your driver's license.
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.
