Moving Tips
If you decide to hire a mover, get bids early; at least six weeks before your preferred
move date. The more lead time you give, the more likely the mover can meet your delivery schedule.
Get bids from at least three movers. Some will bid based on weight, some on time and
others based upon number of items. Local moves tend to be based upon time and distance. Make
sure you know how the mover prepares a bid so that you can keep the cost to a minimum.
Request a guaranteed price. Your move may refer to this as a "binding estimate" or
"binding cost of service". This kind of estimate specifies in advance the precise cost of the
move based on the services requested. Make sure you know what the estimate covers, i.e., packing,
loading, storage en route, unloading and unpacking. Make sure that the estimate you receive covers all
the services you need, or you may be surprised with a much higher bill on the move date.
Use this format to gather information and compare bids:
Try not to make your move during the summer. The
summer months are the "peak" moving season, making it the most expensive time
to move. Also, the first and last days of the month are the busiest days of the month, and
Friday is the busiest day of the week. Avoiding these days can reduce the mover's charges.
Before asking a mover to give you a bid, tour your house from attic to
basement. Decide what to move and what to discard. Make sure you show the mover everything
that is to be moved, and clearly identify items that you will move or discard prior to
the move.
Mark each box with its contents and destination room. That way, you and
your mover will know where each box belongs at your new home.
Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches and
aerosol cans. Drain fuel from the power mower and other machinery, and discard partly used
cans of oil, paint, bleach or any substance that may leak. Be sure the water is emptied
from your steam iron.
Obtain a written appraisal of unique, expensive or antique items to verify
the value. Ask the mover how these items are covered under the mover's policies. All
articles of "extraordinary value" (usually items having a value of more than
$100 per pound) should be listed on the "High-Value Inventory" form. The best
advice is to carry irreplaceable and expensive articles with you, or make other arrangements
for their transport.
Wooden antique and fine wood furniture may require special handling. Do
not apply wax or oils before moving. Some products may soften the wood and furniture pads
could then leave marks.
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
retained could cause internal damage.
If hiring a mover for a long distance move, make a note of your shipment
registration number. This is usually found on your bill of lading. Keep it with you in
case you need to call your mover with questions about your shipment.
Understand when payment is required. Some movers require that all charges
be paid before you shipment is unloaded at your destination. Others do no require payment
until unloading is complete. Try to bargain for holding some portion of the charges until
your goods are unloaded, then do not pay until you have inspected your goods for damages
and to make sure everything has arrived.
Make sure you know the acceptable method of payment. If you want to
charge or use an out of town check, make sure these are okay.
The mover's obligation to reimburse you for damages depends upon the
mover you deal with. Most movers offer the options of "Full-Value Coverage"
or "Depreciated Coverage". The liability of a carrier for loss or damage is
based upon the carrier's tariffs, as well as federal laws and regulations. There are
certain limitations and exclusions. This means that valuation is not insurance. It is
simply a stated liability for damages based upon the applicable tariffs. If you desire
protection afforded by an insurance policy, contact your insurance agent about coverage
provided by your homeowner or renter's policy.
Most refrigerators, washers, dryers and other electrical or mechanical
appliances require special servicing to assure safe transportation. Any moving parts such as
motors on major appliances, washer drums and icemakers may need special attention. Gas
appliances should be serviced and disconnected by your local gas utility. After you've
thoroughly cleaned and dried the inside of your refrigerator, put a handful of fresh
coffee, baking soda or charcoal in a sock or nylon stocking and place it inside to keep
the interior smelling fresh. Before packing medicine and toiletry items, make sure that
their caps and lids have been tightly secured.
Most movers will not guarantee the safe and healthy arrival of your pets
and plants. You will likely want to transport these items yourself. Also note that some
states prohibit the entry of all plants, while other states will admit plants under certain
conditions. Be sure to check the regulations of the state to which you're moving.
Pack items you know you'll need (sheets, towels, toiletries, tissues and
a change of clothes) in your clothes hamper on moving day and you'll know just where to
find them when you arrive.
Pack a box full of items you will need on arrival. Toilet paper, telephone,
toothpaste and brushes, snacks, coffee and coffee pot, soap, flashlight, screwdriver,
pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a couple of pans and paper towels are
some of the essentials you may need upon arrival at your new home. Move this yourself, or
ask the mover to load it last so that it will be unloaded at your new home first.
Moving Checklist
Eight weeks before you move
Contact movers for estimates or reserve moving van.
Clean out
your attic, basement, storage shed and other big storage areas.
Start to
use up things you can't move such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies.
Contact
the Chamber of Commerce, your real estate agent, or visitor's and tourism
bureau in your new community for information on your new city.
Six weeks before you move
If
you're moving at an employer's request, verify what
expenses may be reimbursed.
For out
of town moves, contact the IRS or your accountant for information on what
moving expenses may be tax deductible.
Inventory
and evaluate your possessions to determine if anything can be sold or
donated.
If some
of your goods are to be stored, make the necessary arrangements.
Contact
schools, doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants and obtain copies of your
personal records or request forwarding to new contacts.
Four weeks before you move
Make
Change of Address notifications.
Arrange
special transportation for your pets and plants.
Contact
utility and related companies (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and trash collection) to
establish service at your new home. Contact current vendors, but remember to keep telephone and utilities
on through your moving date.
Contact
insurance companies (auto, homeowners or renter's, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your
new home.
If
you're packing yourself, purchase packing boxes from your local mover. Pack items that you won't
be needing in the next month.
Plan
a garage sale to sell unneeded items or arrange to donate them to charity.
Arrange
for transportation of autos you will not drive yourself. Make sure they are
ready for the climate in your new home.
Transfer
all medical prescriptions to a pharmacy in your new location.
Three weeks before you move
Make
sure travel arrangements and reservations are in order.
Arrange
to close accounts at your local bank and open accounts in your new locale.
Don't forget automatic deposit and payment items.
Two weeks before you move7
If
moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact
the building management to schedule use of the elevators.
Contact
the moving company to review and confirm the arrangements for your move.
One week before you move
Withdraw the contents of your safety deposit box, pick up any
dry cleaning, return library books and rented videotapes, etc.
Take
pets to the veterinarian for any needed immunizations. Get copies of pets' veterinary records.
Drain
gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc).
Give
away plants not being moved.
Prepare
specific directions to your new home for your moving company. (Include your itinerary, emergency
numbers, etc.).
Two or three days before you move
Defrost your freezer and refrigerator. Block doors open so
they can't accidentally close on pets or children.
Disconnect
major appliances and prepare for the move. You should request the gas company to disconnect your gas
dryer, oven and any other gas appliance.
Pack
a box of personal items that will be needed immediately at your new home. Ask the movers to load
this box last or transport it yourself.
Set
aside those things that you are transporting yourself so that they are not
mistakenly loaded by your mover.
Contact
your mover to confirm arrival time of the moving van.
Moving day
Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).
Keep contracts, bills and
other moving papers in a safe place until all changes have been paid and all claims have been settled. |
