Choosing a Professional Mover

MOVING CHECK LIST

Ask family or friends for recommendations. If in doubt check with the better business bureau.

Determine the size, distance and timing of your move.

Obtain a written cost estimate.

Review insurance coverage. There are three types:

Standard coverage
Assessed Value coverage
Full replacement coverage

Choose between a "self Service" move (you pack and unpack) or a "full service" move (the moving company packs and unpacks).

Important Checklist Items

Notify this list of businesses about your move:

Electric Power Co

Water Co

Natural Gas Supplier

Local telephone Co

Long Distance Telephone Co

Television Co

Magazine Subscriptions

Religious Organizations

Investment Adviser

Insurer

Credit Card Co

Bank

Stock Broker

Sports Club

Arrange the timing of the shut-off and Start-up of utilities so that you will be sure not to be without electricity, water, gas, or phone service. Give yourself one or two days on both ends to compensate for potential delays.

Send out change of address notices to friends and family.

Common things that people forget to do:

Advising subscriptions
Cleaning supplies for cleaning after movers have loaded everything
Garage door openers (remember to leave it behind)
Keys (gather up all house keys and leave for new home owner)

PACKING CHECKLIST

Packing Materials

Sturdy boxes
Packing tape
Styrofoam packing peanuts
Bubble wrap
Use newspapers, old blankets, pillows, and clothing to serve as a buffer between breakable objects.

Packing Techniques

Pack one room at a time, labeling each box with a description of its contents and it destination (e.g. kitchen, bathroom). Mark the room destination on the top and at one side of every carton. Be as specific as you can to make unpacking easier. Follow this up at your destination home by taping an identifying tag on each room, e.g. Bedroom 1, Bedroom 2.
Put heavy items in small boxes to make them easier to carry.
Don't apply tape directly to polished or painted wood finishes. Removing the tape could ruin the surface.
Double-box fragile items and add plenty of cushioning.
Do not pack valuables such as jewelry, money, or important legal documents. Take them with you in you car.

Priority Items

Make sure the items you need most are loaded LAST.
Pack essential items that you will need for the first 24 hours in your new home and take them in your car. For each person: a change of clothes, a towel, prescriptions, toothbrush and other personal items. For everyone: food, plastic eating utensils, toilet paper, soap, local phone book, aspirins, pen/pencil and paper, snacks, beverages, coffee, and trash bags.

ON MOVING DAY

Moving Checklist

Have a notepad or clip-board handy to jot down reminders.
Have everything packed and ready to go by the time your helpers arrive.
Make sure the movers have clear directions to your new home and that someone will be there to greet them.
Make sure the moving van has a convenient place to park. Mark off the parking area with cones or other suitable objects.
Make sure the moving truck does not block the neighbor's driveway.
When loading and unloading make sure that the movers don't walk over the neighbor's lawn.
Try not to move too early or late in the day.
Confine your pet or arrange for a friend or family member to care for your pet during the move. Another alternative is to take your pet to the groomer for the day.
Food and refreshments for your family and the movers.
Leave your old house as clean as you would like to find your new house. Clean as much as you can before moving day, and then make a final check after everything is out.
Stay around until the movers are finished loading. You will be asked to sign a bill of lading and to check an inventory sheet. Read the documents carefully before signing.
Remember the last walk-through of all rooms.
If the movers have done a good job for you, it is customary to tip them around $20.00 each, depending on the difficulty of the move.

Unpacking

It will be less stressful if you know that you don't have to unpack everything in one day or even in one week.
If you have prepared well, furniture and boxes can be unloaded directly into the correct rooms.
Focus on one room at a time, beginning with the kitchen, followed by the bathroom.

cdking@telusplanet.net