MOVING GUIDE

We have prepared checklists to help keep you organized Week-by-Week, Moving Day and After Your Move. Remember, if you have any questions contact us. We might be able to help.

Week by Week

6-8 weeks before your move:

What items will make the trip?
Now is the time to determine which items you wish to take to your new residence. Items that you don’t need should either be donated to charity or sold at a garage sale. You may consider teaming up with your neighbors who want to sell some of their belongings, and plan a neighborhood "sale".

Boxes, tape, packing paper…
If you plan on packing your own items, start collecting suitable packing supplies. You can purchase all these materials from any van line agent or a moving supply company. The boxes you purchase should be specially designed for moving household goods to prevent damage to your belongings.

Everything has a place…
Think about the layout of your new residence and where you'll place the furniture. Create a floor plan that will ease the stress of making decisions once the furniture arrives.

What’s it like where you are moving to?
Get familiar with your new community. Request information on schools, community programs, parks and recreation from the local Chamber of Commerce.

Will you need any travel arrangements?
Now is the best time to make your travel arrangements (hotel, flights, car rental, etc.). Try to keep your travel plans flexible to accommodate any last-minute changes or delays.

Save your receipts…
Keep all receipts for moving related expenses in a designated moving folder. Many moving expenses are tax deductible.

Don’t forget your records…
Insurance, medical and dental records should be placed in a safe, accessible place. Also include prescription, and vaccination records. Plan on taking all vital documents such as: wills, stock certificates and other one-of-a kind items (jewelry, coin collection, photos, etc.) separately.

4-5 weeks before your move:

Apartment or condo…
If you live in an apartment or condo complex, contact your property or building manager and inquire about scheduling your move date and time. Certain buildings may have date and or time restrictions as to when moving can be done.

Are you set?
Contact your Moving Coach and schedule your move date, it is always easier to change your move date than to reschedule at the last second.

Mr. Postman…
Fill out a Canadian Postal change of address form at your local Post Office.

Odds and ends…
Close any local charge accounts.

• Notify insurance companies of your move and transfer all insurance on your home and possessions.
• Contact utilities for disconnection or transfer and possible refunds. Since you will want to have your utilities still connected on moving day, arrange to have them disconnected after you are moved out.
• If necessary, arrange for a baby-sitter to watch your children on moving day. You may need someone to keep your children occupied and that they remain safe during the loading process.
• While sorting through your belongings, remember to return anything else you have borrowed.
• Remember to collect items that are being cleaned, stored or repaired.

2-3 weeks before your move:

Do you have power?
Call ahead to have utilities connected at your new home.

What about packing?
Make final packing decisions. Start packing items you don't use often.

You've gotta do windows…
Clean and clear your home, including closets, basements and attics.

Bank accounts…
Call your bank to find out how to transfer your bank accounts.

Got any safety deposit boxes lying around?
Each year people move without clearing out their safety deposit boxes. Don't be another statistic.

Secret hiding spots…
If you've hidden any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving.

A reminder about moving plants…
Some laws prohibit moving house plants. Consider giving your plants to a friend or local charity.

Miscellaneous stuff…

• Plan meals that will use up the food in your refrigerator and freezer.
• Have your automobile serviced if you're traveling by car.
• Transfer all current prescriptions to a drugstore in your new town.
• Dispose of flammable items such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, paint, ammunition and poisons such as weed killer.
• Drain all the oil and gasoline from your lawn mower and power tools to ensure safe transportation. Refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions.

1 week from your move:

Loose ends…
This is the time to tie up any loose ends. Check through this guide to make sure you haven't missed anything.

Labels…
Your moving company should have provided you with various labels for your goods. These can include "Do Not Load", "Load First", "Load Last", and "Fragile". Take special care to label your goods appropriately.

Confirm travel arrangements…
Pack your suitcases and confirm your familys travel arrangements (flights, hotel, rental cars, etc.). Try to keep your plans as flexible as possible in the event of a change of schedule.

Your new address…
Contact your Moving Coach and make sure the movers have the address and phone number where you can be reached if your are not going directly to your new home.

Clean out the fridge…
At least one day before moving, empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator and freezer. If necessary, prepare your stove to be moved. Try using baking soda to get rid of any odors.

Prepare your Travel Kit
This kit can contain items such as snacks, beverages and games for the kids to keep them occupied during the move. If your are stopping overnight be sure to pack essentials you'll need while your belongings are in transit.

Move day:

Bedding…
Strip your beds, and make sure the bedding goes into a "Load Last" box.

Are they here yet?
Make sure you are on hand when the movers arrive. It's important to have an adult be authorized to take your place if you are unable to be present at any time while the movers are there. Let the agent know to whom you have given this authority.

Spend time with the movers…
Always try to spend as much time with the mover as possible. If you have special instructions make sure it is explained to your mover. Communicate well with the movers.

They’ve arrived!!!
Once the van operator arrives, review all details and paperwork. Accompany the driver as he or she inspects and tags each piece of furniture with an identifying number. These numbers, along with a detailed description of your goods and their condition at the time of loading, will appear on the inventory.

Are they done yet?
It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is completed. To insure that nothing gets left behind always do a final inspection of the premises. Do not sign any releases without completing this inspection.

Where is a vacuum when you need it?
Since you'll probably want to clean before the furniture is unloaded, make sure your vacuum is packed last, so it can be unloaded first.

After your move:

Got power?
Check to make sure the utilities have been connected, and follow up on any delays.

Do you have a connection?
Make sure your phone is connected. Ideally, the phone company should hook it up the day before "move-in day."

Where are the pets?
Confine your pets to an out-of-the-way room to help keep them from running away or becoming agitated by all of the activity.

Note: To prevent possible damage, televisions, stereos, computers, other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery, allowing them time to adjust to room temperature.

Lastly…
Your Moving Coach will be contacting you soon to go over any concerns and answer any questions you have. You will also be invited to complete a survey on your overall moving experience.

Important paperwork:

Nobody likes to mess with paperwork; however, these items are critical to making sure you are entitled to every benefit as well as your savior in case something doesn’t go as planned.

Order for Service…
Moving companies are required to prepare an order for service on every shipment transported for an individual shipper. You are entitled to a copy of the order for service when it is prepared.

The order for service is not a contract. Should your move be canceled or delayed or if you decide not to use the mover, you should promptly cancel the order.

Should there be any change in the dates on which you and the mover agreed that your shipment will be picked up and delivered, or any change in the non-binding estimate, the mover may prepare a written change to the order for service. The written change should be attached to the order for service. You and the mover must sign the order for service.

Bill of Lading…
The bill of lading is the contract between you and the mover. The mover is required by law to prepare a bill of lading for every shipment it transports. The information on the bill of lading is required to be the same information shown on the order for service. The driver who loads your shipment must give you a copy of the bill of lading before loading your furniture.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ THE BILL OF LADING BEFORE YOU ACCEPT IT. The bill of lading requires the mover to provide the service you have requested, and you must pay the charges for the service.

THE BILL OF LADING IS AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT. DO NOT LOSE OR MISPLACE YOUR COPY. Have it available until your shipment is delivered, all charges are paid and all claims, if any, are settled.

Inventory…
At the time the mover's driver loads your shipment, he or she, although not required to do so, usually inventories your shipment listing any damage or unusual wear. The purpose is to make a record of the condition of each item. If the driver does not make an inventory, you should make one yourself.

After completing the inventory, the driver will usually sign each page and ask you to sign each page. It is important before signing that you make sure that the inventory lists every item in your shipment and that the entries regarding the condition of each item are correct. You have the right to note any disagreement. When your shipment is delivered, if an item is missing or damaged, your ability to recover from the mover for any loss or damage may depend on the notations made. The driver will give you a copy of each page of the inventory. Attach the complete inventory to your copy of the bill of lading. It is your receipt for the goods.

At the time your shipment is delivered, it is your responsibility to check the items delivered against the items listed on your inventory. If new damage is discovered, make a record of it on the inventory form. Call the damage to the attention of the driver and request that a record of the damage be made on the driver's copy of the inventory.

After the complete shipment is unloaded, the driver will request that you sign the driver's copy of the inventory to show that you received the items listed. Do not sign until you have assured yourself that it is accurate and that proper notations have been entered regarding any missing or damaged items. When you sign the inventory, you are giving the driver a receipt for your goods.