Making
The Move
Countdown
to Moving Day
Planning for a move
means organizing, organizing and more organizing.
If you plan well,
the whole process can be much easier to handle. Take a look at the following
guidelines and note right on these pages anything else you need to remember.
Several Weeks
in Advance
- Arrange for
copies of medical, dental and other professional records to be sent to your
new location.
- Obtain copies
of eyeglass and medical prescriptions.
- Register your
children for school and arrange for transcripts to be forwarded to the new
school.
- Use up any
frozen foods - movers do not ship perishables.
- Open a bank
account and establish credit at your new location.
- Start making
travel plans. If you belong to a club or organization that provides travel
advisory services, contact them soon.
- Make a list of
those you want to notify of your change of address (magazine publishers,
insurance companies, national credit card companies, brokers, attorneys,
relatives and friends).
-
Cancel/transfer memberships in religious, civic, social and fraternal
organizations.
- Have your car
checked for the trip.
- Ask your
veterinarian about shipping pets and get record of inoculations.
Two Weeks
Before Moving
- Close all
local charge accounts and destroy any credit cards you won't need in your new
location.
- Close your
bank accounts. Empty your safe deposit box and transfer contents to your new
bank by registered mail.
- Notify utility
companies of the date you want service discontinued or transferred to new
owner and request refund of any deposits.
- Notify the
post office of your move date and arrange for the first class mail to be
forwarded. Send out change of address cards.
- Find out the
requirements for driver's license and auto registration in your new location,
if you are moving out of state.
- Go through the
garage, basement and attic and dispose of those things you know you won't need
in your new home.
- Discontinue
home delivery of newspapers, milk, etc.
- Return library
books and other borrowed articles. Retrieve any items you may have loaned out.
One Week
Before Moving
- Arrange to
take valuables with you or send ahead by registered mail. Movers will not take
valuables such as money, securities, stamp or coin collections and jewelry.
- Set aside toys
and games children might want to have with them on the trip.
- Set aside
items that you want to be given special handling by the mover.
- Prepare a list
of those things you want to "load last," so you can get them first during
unloading.
- Drain gasoline
from your lawnmower and dispose of any flammable or combustible materials. The
mover will not take materials such as gasoline, paint thinner, ammunition.
- Pick up
articles of clothing at the cleaners.
The Day Before
You Move
- The packing
crew usually arrives the day before the van is loaded. Be sure someone is on
hand to supervise the packing.
- Pack any
valuables you intend to take with you.
- Make sure
fragile items receive special attention. Label cartons as to contents and
where they go in the new home.
- Empty,
defrost, and wash out the refrigerator and freezer.
- Gather keys to
the house and arrange to leave them with the new owners of your home, your
real estate agent, or a trusted neighbor.
- Notify police
if your home will be unoccupied after you leave.
- Notify a close
friend or relative of your itinerary in case of emergency.
The Day You
Move From Your Home
- Plan an early,
simple breakfast.
- Check the
mover's inventory to see that you agree with the mover's judgment on the
condition of your household goods. Take photographs if there is a dispute.
- Make sure you
get a copy of the inventory.
- Load those
things you are taking on the trip, including luggage.
- Search every
room before the van leaves.
- Check the bill
of lading for completeness before you sign it. Retain a copy for your records.
- Find out the
van driver's name and make certain he knows how to reach you at the
destination.
- Turn off the
water heater. Set your thermostat at 55 degrees.
The Day Before
You Move Into Your New Home
- 1. Get there
before the movers. There could be a waiting charge if you are late.
- Contact
utility companies.
- Check
appliances, furnace, and hot water heater, so you can contact a repairman
immediately if something is not working.
- Check
household goods carefully as they are unloaded for loss or damage. List all
lost or damaged items on the inventory form.
- Since you will
probably do some unpacking after the movers leave, make a note on the
inventory "subject to inspection for concealed damage."
- Ask the
mailman if he is holding any mail for your arrival.
After You Are
Settled
- Obtain
necessary licenses: driver's, automobile, dog, etc.
- Contact
newspapers, dairy, etc., for home deliveries.
- Register car
at new address (there may be a penalty if you wait too long).
- Register to
vote.
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