Residential Moving Tips

Packing Tips:

• Mirrors and pictures should be bubble-wrapped or paper wrapped and secured in a carton specially constructed to prevent damage to these fragile items.
  
  
• Book cartons, as with all cartons should be packed tight to prevent shifting during transit.
  
  
• Handling lampshades by the wires protects the shade surface. Lampshades may be nested to conserve space, and generous amounts of paper provide cushioning.
  
  
• Dishes should be individually wrapped and placed vertically in a dishpack for safe transport. Fill the carton to limit movement and be sure to pad both the bottom and top for added insurance.
  
  
• Use a sturdy wardrobe box for clothing suspended on hangers. Your clothing will arrive at your new residence as clean and wrinkle-free as possible. Use a linen box for other clothing.
  
  
• Have our crewmen pad wrap furniture and wood surfaces to avoid scratching and chipping.
  
  
• High value and fragile items such as computers, televisions or appliances should be wrapped in the original packaging. If that packaging is no longer available pad wrap or bubble wrap these products for extra safety.
  
  
• Some of your belongings have unique needs. Large items such as chandeliers and grandfather clocks can be crated and doubly protected with packing material to ensure their safe transit and arrival.

6 Weeks before Moving:

• Contact your agent to start getting the details of your move organized as soon as you can.
  
  
• Create a "move information" file. Using an organizer folder with interior pockets makes it easy to store important information and collect receipts for moving related expenses.
  
  
• Ask the Internal Revenue Service for information about tax deductions on moving expenses and what receipts you’ll need to keep. Give your previous employer your new address so that a copy of your W-2 form can be forwarded.
  
  
• Contact your insurance agent to transfer property, fire, auto and medical insurance.
  
  
• When organizing dental and medical records, be sure to include prescriptions, eyeglass specifications and vaccination records. Keep such items with you during the move.
  
  
• Contact any clubs or associations you are associated with for information on transferring, selling or ending you memberships.
  
  
• Wills, stock certificates and other one-of-a-kind items (jewelry, photos, and home videos) are difficult or impossible to replace. You may want to carry them with you instead of packing them.

4-5 Weeks before Moving:

• Take an objective look at what you own, and decide what must go and what can be left behind. Books you’ve read and will never read again? The pan with the broken handle or the children’s long-forgotten games? Remember – extra weight costs more money. Consider having a garage sale to lighten the load.
  
  
• Sit down and start organizing your move. Make a list with three columns: items to leave behind, items for moving company, and items you’ll move by yourself. If you haven’t done so, consider taking a household inventory for your records and to determine the declared value of the shipment.
  
  
• Prepare a list of friends, family, business firms and others who should be notified of your move. The post office and any billing company should also be made aware of your move.
  
  
• Make arrangements to move any one-of-a-kind or special items. Often times they may require packing materials and procedures that are best left to moving professionals or a third-party specialist.

2-3 Weeks before Moving:

• Make final packing decisions. Start preparing for the move by packing those items you don’t use often.
  
  
• Clean and clear your home, including closets, basements and attics.
  
  
• Properly dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, weed killer, etc.
  
  
• A  list of "non-allowables" is available for your reference.
  
  
• Plan meals that will use up food in your freezer.
  
  
• Backup all of your computer files and take the backups with you in the car, since software is sensitive to temperature extremes.
  
  
• Arrange transport of pets and plants. Secure all records from the veterinarian and see that rabies and identification tags are attached to the pets collar.

1 Week before Moving:

• This is the week to tie up loose ends. Check back through your planner to make sure you haven’t overlooked anything.
  
  
• Arrange to have your gas, electric, cable, phone, etc. turned off at your current residence and turned on at your future home.
  
  
• Mark boxes requiring special attention, fragile handling, and load last preferences.
  
  
• Make sure your mover knows the address and phone number where you can be reached until you get into your new home.  Cell phone or E-mail are excellent ways to communicate during the move.
  
  
• Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator and freezer and clean your stove at least 24 hours before moving.

Move Out Day:

• Strip your beds and make sure the bedding goes into a "load last" box.
  
  
• Be on hand when the movers arrive or make arrangements for someone to be there as your representative.
  
  
• Pack your vacuum last so that you can clean before the furniture is unloaded.
  
  
• Review all paperwork and details with your mover.
  
  
• Take a last minute walk-through to make sure doors and windows are locked, lights are off, old keys and garage door openers are left for future residents, and that you haven’t left anything behind.

Moving In:

• The van operator will contact you 24 hours prior to the expected arrival time in order to make plans for unloading.
  
  
• Be on hand when the movers arrive to answer any questions and check the inventory of your goods upon delivery.
  
  
• If your move is a C.O.D. please have your payment on hand for your moving charges.
  
  
• Confirm that utilities are turned on at your new residence.
  
  
• To prevent possible damage, wait at least 24 hours before turning on major electronics, allowing time for them to adjust to any change in temperature.
  
  
• Examine everything as it's unloaded, you will be asked to sign for its receipt and condition.

On the Move-In Day you will be asked to sign the following documents:

Inventory of Goods – Prepared prior to loading, this document is a description of the condition of your belongings. You’ll be asked to sign it to acknowledge condition and receipt of your goods upon loading.

High Value Inventory - This form lists all items of extraordinary value.  You must show these items to your packers and movers prior to the move.  Any item that is valued greater than $100.00 per pound must be itemized.

Bill of Lading – This is the shipping document that establishes the legal terms of the service.

Pack/Unpack Certificate – This is used to verify the "accessorial services" we performed during your move. Please examine it carefully before you sign it, making sure that you understand what your being charged for.