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Best Moving Van Lines – Moving Tips

All items should be completed. Not necessarily in the order listed.

EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE

❑ Obtain a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household goods you want to keep.

❑ Begin an inventory of all household goods.

❑ Seek estimates from several moving companies.

❑ Contact your insurance agent, and ask them about your homeowners, or rental policy to determine whether your possessions are covered when moving.

❑ Establish a file for all moving papers and receipts.

❑ Arrange to transfer child(ren)’s school records.

❑ Choose a mover.

SIX WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE

❑ Begin search for good health-care professionals in your new location.

❑ Fill out post-office change of address cards.

❑ Send your new address to anyone that might need it — insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, etc.

❑ Clean out closets and dispose of all items that you will not be taking with you.

❑ Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.

FOUR WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE

❑ For self moves, reserve a truck or trailer. Obtain necessary moving supplies, boxes, twine, labels, etc.

❑ Start packing!!

❑ If your mover is doing the packing, arrange for it to be done one or two days before loading begins.

❑ Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning as needed.

❑ Gather valuable personal papers that you may need at your final destination location, including medical and dental records, school records, birth certificates, etc.

❑ Make travel plans and arrange any motel or other reservations.

THREE WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE

❑ Arrange to have utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, water, etc.) disconnected in your present home, and connected at your new home.

❑ Ready car registration and insurance records for transfer.

❑ Notify State Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address.

❑ Arrange for child care on moving day.

❑ If necessary, reserve apartment elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE

❑ Arrange to move pets.

❑ Check with mover about moving house plants (some movers will not move plants).

❑ Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammable liquids.

❑ If necessary, have your automobile serviced and ready for the trip.

ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU MOVE

❑ Transfer all bank accounts.

❑ Cancel newspaper delivery.

❑ Have enough medication to last at least two weeks. Have prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your final destination.

❑ Buy traveler’s checks.

❑ Make arrangements to pay for your move.

❑ Withdraw items and close safety deposit boxes.

TWO DAYS BEFORE YOU MOVE

❑ Have mover pack your goods (unless doing it yourself).

❑ Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers to be moved.

❑ Set aside valuable items to carry with you including jewelry, vital documents, money and valuable small items.

MOVING DAY

❑ Be on hand to answer questions and give directions to movers and stay until they are finished.

❑ Accompany driver for inventory of your household goods.

❑ Complete information on bill of lading and carefully read the document before you sign it.

❑ Make sure you have your copies of the bill of lading and inventory.

❑ Keep the bill of lading until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.

❑ Before the van leaves, take one final look through the house to make certain nothing has been left behind.

❑ Give the driver directions to your new home.

❑ Notify the driver and the van line where you can be reached during the move.

DELIVERY DAY

❑ Be on hand to answer any questions and give directions.

❑ You must pay the driver before your goods can be unloaded. This is a Federal requirement for interstate moves.

❑ Supervise unloading and unpacking.

❑ Check carefully for any damaged or missing items.

❑ Note on the inventory any damaged boxes or obvious damage to unboxed items before you sign anything.