Moving Cecklist
Six to Eight Weeks Before Moving Day
Working With the Mover:
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 Call your agent. Set a date for the agent to visually survey
your home and prepare an estimate.
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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. 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.
Read the "Your Rights and Responsibilities" (for full-service moves) to make certain
that you fully understand the extent of the carrier's liability.
Sign the Estimate/Order for Service after you are sure you have a clear understanding of each
section. If you have any questions, ask your agent to explain.
Keep the phone number and name of a your salesperson or move coordinator handy.
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| Four to Six Weeks Before Moving Day |
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Places to Notify:
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Notify the post office that you are moving. An online Change of Address form is available on the
United States Postal Service Web site.
Prepare a list of friends, relatives, business firms and others who should be notified of your
move. The following checklist will be helpful:
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| Utilities |
Personal Accounts |
 Electric |
Pharmacy |
| Gas |
Dry Cleaner |
| Water |
Lawn Service |
| Telephone |
Bank/Finance Companies |
| Sewer District |
Credit Card Companies |
| Trash |
Laundry Service |
| Cable/Satellite |
Auto Finance Company |
| Fuel (Oil/Propane) |
Health Club |
| Sewer District |
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| Professional Services |
Publications |
| Doctor(s) |
Newspapers |
| Dentist |
Magazines |
| Accountant |
Newsletters |
| Lawyer |
Professional Journals |
| Broker |
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| Insurance Agency |
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| Government Offices |
| Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Social Security Administration |
| State/Federal Tax Bureaus |
| City/County Tax Assessor |
| Veterans Administration |
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Miscellaneous:
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Have a "garage sale" or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items.
Donate unwanted clothing or household goods to charitable organizations. Obtain receipts
showing the items' approximate value for possible tax deductions.
Begin to use up supplies of canned goods, frozen foods and other household items. Buy only
what will be used before moving.
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| Two to Three Weeks Before Moving Day |
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Working With the Mover:
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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.
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.
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Preparing the Family:
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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.
If driving, have your car serviced for the trip (check tires, brakes and windshield wipers, fluids,
belts, etc.)
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Preparing Household Items:
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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 have your agent send someone out who is authorized to perform
this service.
Set a date for having utilities disconnected. If possible, plan to keep utilities in
service through moving day.
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.
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| One to Two Weeks Before Moving Day |
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Pet and Plants
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Decide what to do with house plants. The Moving Men 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.
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Alternatives:
 Give them to friends or relatives.
Donate them to a hospital or other organization.
Include them in a garage sale.
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Some states permit the entry of all house plants; others admit them in accordance with specific
rules and regulations. Ask your agent for a copy of our "Moving With House Plants" booklet.
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.
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Other Important Details:
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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.
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| Day Before Moving Day |
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Working With the Packers
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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 cartons 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.
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Last Minute Details:
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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.
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| Moving Day |
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Working With the Mover:
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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 van operator 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 van operator has the exact destination address. Be sure to let the van operator
know how you can be reached, including phone numbers, pending the arrival of your household
goods.
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Last-Minute Details:
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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.
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Take a Last Look Around:
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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?
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| Delivery Day |
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Working With the Mover:
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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 van operator 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.
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| One Week After Move |
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Settling In:
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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.
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