A moving checklist

• Call us. Set a date for an agent to visually survey your home and prepare an estimate.
• If your company is paying for your move, refer to their moving policy to determine the services the mover will be authorized to perform.
• Do you want to do any of the packing -- or will you have it done by our experienced packers? Your agent will be happy to discuss packing services with you.
• Show the agent everything that is going to be moved, including items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc.
• Any items you fail to disclose or that are added later to the shipment will increase the cost, even if you have been given a binding estimate.
• Make certain that you fully understand the extent of the carrier's liability and if you have any questions, ask your agent to explain.

• Start using up the things you can not move. For example, frozen foods and cleaning supplies.

• If you are moving at an employer’s request, verify what expenses and responsibilities are theirs and which are yours.
• Make a list of those you need to notify of your move.
• Contact the IRS for information on what moving expenses are tax-deductible.
• Begin deciding what possessions can be donated or sold.
• Consider getting a mail subscription to the local paper in your new community to familiarize yourself with the local government, news, and activities.
• Contact schools, doctors, dentists, accountants, and lawyers to obtain copies of your personal records. Ask for referrals as well.

• Submit a change of address form to the post office.
• Contact utility companies for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. Remember to keep the phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day.
• Arrange for special transportation for your pets and plants.
• Contact insurance companies to arrange coverage in your new home/community.
• If you chose to pack yourself, purchase packing boxes from your local mover and pack the items you won’t need for the next month.
• Start planning a moving sale to sell unneeded items and arrange items to be donated to charity.

• Notify your agent if you add or subtract items from your planned move or if there are any changes in dates. Be sure to supply your agent with destination address and phone numbers where you can be reached. And review/confirm all arrangements for your move.
• Confirm any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup or delivery points.
• If your car is being moved, be prepared to drive it to a suitable loading site. Also be prepared to pick up your car at a suitable destination location.
• If you are moving into our out of a building with elevators remember to contact the building management to schedule use of the elevators.

• Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.
• Have a going-away party for the children and their friends.
• Have some fun for yourself...an open house or an informal dinner or barbecue. Keep it simple.
• Make family travel plans. Reserve hotel rooms and airline tickets as needed. However, don’t make plane reservations for the same day that you are moving out. House closings are often delayed, and other unexpected situations arise.
• If driving, have your car serviced for the trip (check tires, brakes and windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.)
• Collect all important papers (insurance, will, deeds, stock, etc.).
• Arrange to close accounts at your local bank and open an account in your new community.

• Federal law requires that you dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Drain fuel from your power mower and other machinery. Discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach, or any other substances that may be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that may leak. Please read the complete list of non-allowables.
• Discard propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.
• Set an appointment with a service technician to prepare your major appliances for shipment — or as us to send someone out who is authorized to perform this service.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.
• Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving because some products might soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture could cause mold if furniture must be placed in storage.

• Decide what to do with house plants. United cannot safely move your plants because they may suffer from lack of water and light as well as probable temperature changes while in the van.
  
  Alternatives:
  
  • Give them to friends or relatives.
  • Donate them to a hospital or other organization.
  • Include them in a moving sale.

• Some states permit the entry of all house plants; others admit them in accordance with specific rules and regulations.
• Take pets to the veterinarian. Most states require health certificates and rabies inoculations. See that identification and rabies tags are securely attached to your pet's collar.
• Arrange for transportation of pets. Take them in the car or send via air. Consider boarding pets either at destination or at a kennel near your present home until you are settled in the new city.

• Collect all items that are being cleaned, stored or repaired (clothing, furs, shoes, watches, etc.).
• Empty your locker at the club, bowling alley or gym.
• Return library books and anything borrowed from friends or neighbors, and collect things you may have loaned.

• Settle outstanding bills with local merchants and utilities.
• Don’t forget to withdraw contents of your safety-deposit box, pick up any cleaning, return library books, and rented video tapes, etc.
• Take pets to the veterinarian for any needed immunizations. Get copies of pet’s records.
• Prepare specific directions to your new home for the moving company. Include your itinerary and emergency numbers.

• Point out to the packers any extra-fragile items needing special attention. Mark appropriately any items you do not want packed or moved, as well as boxes you will want first when the van arrives at 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.
• Collect things you definitely want packed together, such as children's toys, and place in separate groups.
• Unplug all electronic appliances 24 hours in advance of a move, except plasma televisions, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos, and audio/video equipment.

• Check closets, cabinets, and storage lockers for any articles overlooked.
• Be on hand when the service representative arrives to prepare your appliances for shipment.
• It is your responsibility to see that all mechanical and electrical equipment is properly serviced for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving van at your expense. If you have failed to have an article serviced, the van operator may load and haul it but will mark the inventory sheet "Not Serviced."

• It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is complete. After making a final tour of the house, check and sign the inventory. Get your copy from the driver and keep it.
• Approve and sign the Bill of Lading/Freight Bill. It states the terms and conditions under which your goods are moved and is also your receipt for the shipment. Be sure to complete and sign the declared valuation statement.
• Complete and sign the High-Value Inventory form, whether or not items of extraordinary value are included in the shipment. You also need to sign and date the "Extraordinary (Unusual) Value Article Declaration" box on the Bill of Lading, if applicable to your shipment.
• Make sure the driver has the exact destination address. Be sure to let the driver knows how you can be reached, including cell phone numbers, pending the arrival of your household goods.
• Clearly mark and set aside items you don’t want loaded on the moving truck.

• Have the children pack a box of their “special” items. Point this box out to the driver so it’s one of the first to be unloaded.
  
  NOTE: You may want to arrange for someone to take care of the children/pets while the movers are packing and loading your items. Have the caregiver bring the children home prior to the truck leaving as it is important for young children to understand where their belongings are going.
• Clear the walk-ways making it safe and easy for your movers to get in/out of your house.
  • Move potted plants and planters from the front porch, walkways and driveways.
  • Remove all rugs and door/floor mats. The crew will protect the floors with a specially designed floor covering that does not slip.
  • Remove low hanging items such as wind chimes.
  • Disconnect the spring on the screen door so that it stays open during the loading process.

• Leave your phone 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.
• Record all of the meter readings (gas, electric, water).

• 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?

• Be on hand to accept delivery. If you cannot be there personally, be sure you authorize an adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay the charges for you.
• On the day of delivery, the driver will attempt to contact you by phone and/or will make an appearance at residence if he is unable to reach you. If you are unable to accept delivery of your shipment within the free waiting time (i.e., two hours) after notification of arrival at destination, you may request waiting time until delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they are unloaded. If there is a change in the condition of the property from that noted on the inventory at the time of loading or if any items are missing, note discrepancies on the van operator's copy of the inventory sheet. By signing the inventory sheet, you are acknowledging receipt of all items listed. Personally report any loss or damage to your salesperson or move coordinator.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including the laying of rugs and setting up any beds disassembled at origin. However, mattresses will not be unpacked, and appliances and/or fixtures will NOT be installed. At your request and at an additional charge, your salesperson or move coordinator can arrange for this service. The mover is not obligated to rearrange your furniture.
• Place a floor plan of your new home by the entrance, which the movers can use to determine where each piece of furniture should go.
• Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To prevent possible damage, television sets, other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery, allowing them time to adjust to room temperature.

• Check with your new post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to start.
• Check state (and local) requirements for auto registration and a driver's license.
• You may want to select an attorney to discuss laws that pertain to your destination state, county, and/or city. Be sure to cover such matters as wills, transfers of property and investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, taxes, etc. Most laws affect a family as soon as residence in the new state and city is established.