• Get in touch with us to specify the exact date you want to move and when it will be convenient for us to visually survey your household goods and prepare an estimate.
• If your company is paying for the move, please notify us of any polices you company has regarding moving.  
• Before our representative arrives, tour your house from attic to basement. Include the garage patio and storage shed. Decide what to move and what to discard. Remember that the cost of moving an item may be greater than replacing it.
• Decide whether you want to do any of the packing - or whether you will have it done by our experienced personnel.

Preparing the Family

• Explain the reason for the move to the children in the family. Tell them the advantages of moving to a new city - new things to see and do; new places to visit, new friends to make.

Personal Records and Finance

• Gather information on prescriptions and dates of last examinations. Be sure to check current phone numbers and addresses of your physician, dentist and hospital. This will help you at the destination when transferring health records.
• Ask your dentist and doctor to recommend colleagues in the new city. See if your physician offers a records request form.
• Transfer, sell or resign memberships in clubs or associations.
• Report your move to any lending activity with which you do business. A lender's permission may be required to move personal property in which the lender has an interest.
• Arrange for the closing or transfer of charge accounts. Do not discard present items such as credit cards and hunting/fishing licenses until you are sure they'll have no value in your new home.
• Arrange with the school authorities for transfer of your children's school records and credentials - or secure transcripts of the records from the school, if you prefer to take them along.

Start Packing

• Start collecting suitable containers and packing materials if you plan to do the packing yourself.
• Separate and mark any goods that will be going into storage.

Places to Notify

• Let the post office know when you'll be moving and what your new address will be.
• Send change-of-address cards as soon as you know what the new address will be.
• Prepare a list of friends, relatives, business firms and others who should be notified of your move. The following checklists will be helpful:

Notification Checklist

Utilities Electric Gas Water Telephone Fuel Sewer District Trash Cable Television	Professional Services Doctor Dentist Accountant Lawyer Broker
Insurance Agencies Life Fire Auto Home Health Accident Hospital	Business Accounts Dry Cleaner Bakery Drug Store Diaper Service Department Stores Water Softener Service Lawn Service Dairy Service Stations Laundry Banks Finance Companies Credit Card Companies Automobile Agency Real Estate Agency
Government and Public Offices Veterans Administration Library City Hall - Refuse Service City and/or County Tax Assessor State Motor Vehicle Bureau Social Security Administration State/Federal Income Tax Bureaus Draft Board	Publications Newspapers Magazines Newsletters Professional Fraternal
Miscellaneous Relatives and Friends Business Associates Book and Record Clubs Video and Compact Disc Clubs Organizations and Clubs Schools and Colleges Landlord (if you are a tenant) Tenants (if you are a landlord) Church

Have a Garage Sale

Consider having a garage sale to dispose of unwanted items.  If you donate clothing or household goods to charitable organizations, obtain receipts showing the items' approximate value for possible tax deductions.

Use Up Food

Begin to use up supplies of canned goods, frozen foods and other household items. Buy only what will be used before moving.

Working with the Mover

• Notify us if you add or subtract items from your planned household goods shipment or if there are any changes in dates of the move. Be sure to also supply the destination location, contact address and phone numbers where you can be reached.
• Confirm with any extra steps required to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup or delivery points.

Working with the Mover

• When household goods are professionally packed, the packing is usually done the day before the actual move. Plan to be at home during the packing process to answer questions. You can take advantage of this time by reading, writing letters or catching up on paperwork.

Preparing the Family

• Pack suitcases for the trip to the new home. Put in some extra clothing for emergencies.
• Consider packing a picnic lunch to eat while traveling. Take along some snacks such as fruit and cookies for the children. Include toweletts for a quick cleanup.
• Arrange for a baby-sitter for moving day, or have older children look after the younger ones.

"Instant Aid" Box

• Pack an "Instant Aid" box containing things which may be needed immediately upon arrival at your new home. Package each group of items in a large paper bag and clearly label. Here are some suggestions:

Last Minute Packing

• Check contents of drawers. Remove all spillables, breakables, and jewelry. Soft goods such as blankets, pillows, blouses, shirts and lingerie may be left in drawers. Do not overload drawers by adding sheets and tablecloths because this can damage the furniture during transit.
• Pin clothing to hangers if it will be moved in wardrobe cartons so that vibration or bumps will not cause items to slip off. If your shipment is going into storage for an extended period of time, consider replacing metal hangers with paper-covered or plastic hangers to avoid possible rust damage to your clothing.
• Remove any items left in the attic or other storage areas.
• Empty the refrigerator and freezer so that they can dry at least 24 hours before the movers arrive (not necessary for local moves). Be careful not to overlook the defrost water pan. Failure to have the appliances completely dry can lead to mildew, mold and an unpleasant odor. 
• Be sure the water is emptied from your steam iron.
• Launder all soiled clothing prior to the day of the move.
• Take the telephone directory with you. It can be useful in contacting former doctors, dentists, friends, etc.

Working with the Packers

• Point out to the packers any extra-fragile items needing special attention. Mark items you do not want packed or moved, as well as cartons you will want first when the van arrives at its destination.
• If you are doing your own packing, make sure everything is ready to go before moving day. Upon arrival, the van operator will check to see if boxes have been properly packed.
• Have dishes washed and dried. Leave them in the cabinets. It's easier for the packers to remove and pack them from normal storage areas.
• Collect the things you definitely want packed together, such as children's toys, and place them in separate groups.
• Leave mirrors and pictures on the walls. However, items that have been permanently attached to the premises, such as can openers, drapery rods, mirrors, towel bars or wall-to-wall carpeting, must be detached in advance if they are to be moved.
• Leave beds assembled. Sheets, blankets and spreads should be removed. If a water bed is being moved, you or a third party should drain and disassemble it according to the manufacturer's instructions for safe and proper handling.
• Unplug all television sets 24 hours in advance of a move, if possible, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. Moving a TV set in which heat is still retained could cause internal damage.

Preparing the Family

• You may want to spend your last night before the move at home. However, with everything packed, your family may be more comfortable in other quarters, such as a friend or relative's house or a hotel.
• Check closets, cabinets and storage lockers for any articles overlooked.
• Take pets to transportation agency or boarding kennel. If you take them to your new home in the car, be sure you have food and water dishes for use during the trip.
• Be on hand when the service representative arrives to prepare your appliances for shipment.
• Decide whether or not to let friends help tomorrow. Moving day is a busy one, and too many people trying to assist will cause confusion.

Working with the Mover

 We ask that before the movers arrive, if you have pets, please go through the yard and premises and clean up messes.  The last thing we or you need on moving day is tracking anything in the house or truck.  Thank you.

• Be on hand when the movers arrive. It's important that an adult be authorized to take your place if you are unable to remain or be present while the movers are there. Let us know to whom you have given this authority. Be sure that person knows exactly what to do and which valuation program and amount you have selected. Remember - the person may be asked to sign documents obligating you to charges.
• Accompany the van operator through the house as he or she inspects and tags each piece of furniture with an identifying number. These numbers, along with a good description of your goods and their condition at the time of loading, will appear on the inventory.
• It is your responsibility to see that all your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is completed. After making a final tour of the house to be sure no items have been overlooked, check and sign the inventory. Get your copy from the van operator and keep it.
• Approve and sign the combination Bill of Lading and Freight Bill. It states the terms and conditions under which your goods are moved and is also your receipt for the shipment. Be sure you have completed and signed the declared valuation statement in the space provided on the Bill of Lading.  This is for long distance moves only.
• Check to see that the van operator has the exact destination address. Be specific about where and how you can be reached, including telephone numbers, pending the arrival of your household goods.
• If you want to know the exact cost of your move before leaving town or prior to the arrival of your household goods at destination, tell the van operator. Provide a telephone number where you can be reached and the van operator will see that you are notified.  This is for long distance only.
• Advise the van operator of any elevators, parking restrictions or necessary long carries (more than 75 feet) at destination.
• If applicable, provide the van operator with the telephone number of your apartment or condominium manager.

Preparing the Family

• Be sure the family has a healthy, substantial breakfast. If you spent the last night at home, preplan a special breakfast menu that includes convenience foods. Use disposable serving dishes and utensils.

Last-Minute Details

• Even if you own the telephone in your home, please leave it connected throughout moving day. After the van leaves and you finish last minute calls, be sure to pack the phone in one of your suitcases.
• Leave a note listing your new address in a conspicuous place, so the new occupants will be able to forward any mail inadvertently delivered to them.

A Final Check

• Take a last look around
• Water shut off?
• Furnace shut off?
• Light switches turned off?
• All utilities arranged for disconnection?
• Windows shut and locked?
• Old house keys surrendered?
• Have you left anything?

Best Wishes in Your New Home