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Moving
Planning
Your Move
Here is information to help you prepare to move your household possessions. Our Moving Day Countdown is designed to help you perform the myriad tasks that need to be completed in the weeks and days leading up to your move, from notifying your post office to draining oil and gas from your lawn mower.
Your first decision will be whether to use a van line service or to do it yourself. Using a van line service is definitely easier, but it is more expensive. Renting a truck and moving your household goods yourself is the least expensive method, but it is time-consuming and requires a lot of hard, physical work. Even if you have relatives, friends, and neighbors to help you pack and load your belongings, you may not have anyone to help you unload and unpack at the destination site.
Your decision will be based upon the amount of money you are willing to spend, combined with the time and assistance you have available and the number of items you have to move.
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Self-Haul, Self-Pack
Renting a truck and moving your household goods yourself is the least expensive method of moving your belongings. However, it will require time and labor.
If you decide to "do it yourself," keep these tips in mind:
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When renting a truck, check the overall quality and condition of the rental company's trucks
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Find out where to pick up and drop off the rental truck, and try to make the drop-off point as close as possible to your actual destination (ask if there is a drop-off fee)
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Don't get a truck that is too small for your needs or one that is larger than you need; the larger the truck, the more the cost
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Make sure you have insurance to cover the value of the goods you are moving — some rental companies provide this insurance; with other companies, you may have to purchase your own.
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A Professional Move
Services and materials typically provided by moving companies include:
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Cartons and packing materials
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Labor to pack all cartons
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Loading furniture and cartons onto the moving van
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Unloading furniture and cartons at your destination
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Removing packed items from cartons, placing items on flat surfaces, and
disposing of packing debris
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Other services that may require separate charges include:
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Removing drapery rods and other items from the walls
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Installing plumbing lines for appliances
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Removing or installing outside antennas
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Rearranging your furniture
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Moving cartons from one room to another
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Removing debris, other than packing materials when your items are delivered and
unpacked
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Packing Your Goods.
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Moving Appliances
Moving appliances — especially large ones — requires expertise and physical strength. If you are using a professional mover, trained personnel will be provided to ensure that your appliances are safely loaded, transported, and unloaded. The moving company may also arrange for any servicing that cannot be done by the moving-company personnel. The moving company will not repair appliances; remove or install air conditioners; remove or install TV or radio antennas; or provide wiring, plumbing, electrical, or carpentry services.
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Be sure to check the servicing needs of your appliances and equipment before your move.
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Note the manufacturer's name and model number of each:
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Refrigerator
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Freezer
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Microwave
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Range (gas or electric)
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Washer
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Dryer
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Portable dishwasher
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Window air conditioner(s)
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Clean and dry your appliances thoroughly, especially if you anticipate storing them. Your refrigerator and freezer must be empty when moved, since there is no way to ensure that your freezer's temperature will remain at a safe level during the move.
Moving Your Autos
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Your automobiles can be shipped on the van along with your household goods or via a third-party car carrier
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Before shipping, be sure that the gas tanks are no more than one-quarter full
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Don't use your autos as containers for personal belongings, since those items won't be covered by insurance nor will the mover be responsible for them
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Vehicles can be insured up to "blue-book" value
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If you notice physical damage to your autos caused by shipping, you must note the damage on the inventory sheet upon delivery in order to be eligible for insurance coverage
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Repairs of all shipping damage should not be made until you receive approval
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Be sure the driver completes a condition report before the move that shows the pre-existing condition of the car
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Items NOT to Ship
There are several items that cannot and others that should not be included in your household shipment.
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Explosives, handguns, and ammunition
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Aerosol cans, gasoline, oil, oil-based items, chemicals, and insecticides
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Fine jewelry and irreplaceable items, such as heirlooms and antiques
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Currency, stamp, coin, and card collections
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Stock certificates and credit cards
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Perishable foods and live plants
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Compact discs and tapes
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Bonds, wills, and deeds
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Photos that are irreplaceable
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Moving Pets
If you have dogs, cats or other pets, you will have to decide among several choices: You can transport them yourself in an automobile, put them in carriers and ship them on an airplane, or arrange for their delivery through a pet carrier service.
There are several things to consider when deciding how to best get your pet(s) safely to your new home.
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The length of the trip
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Your pet's age
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Your pet's temperament (road trips thrill some pets and terrify others)
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Some states have laws concerning the entry of dogs, cats and other animals from outside its borders. To avoid potential fines and other complications, we suggest you contact the State Veterinarian, Animal Health Division, or other appropriate officials in the capital city of your new location before you move.
Moving Special Items
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If possible, your personal computers should be packed in their original boxes by the movers; if original cartons are unavailable, use a large, sturdy box and cushion all components with plastic bubble pack or Styrofoam peanuts
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Don't ship diskettes on the moving van, since they are sensitive to extreme temperatures that can build up quickly inside the van — send them via insured mail or some other safe means
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Pianos and organs should be prepared for the move by a piano/organ technician — organ motors should be secured; pianos have parts that should be secured or removed entirely and packed
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There are both national and individual state laws governing the transport of houseplants — not all moving companies will accept them as part of a household shipment.
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Moving Day
What to expect on your moving day.
Taking Inventory
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The driver will make a written inventory and record the condition of all items in your shipment
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These inventory sheets will be used by the insurance company if you make a claim, so it is important that everything is listed and that you agree with the condition the driver assigns to each item before it is loaded
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Movers use codes to note the condition of items ("CH," for example, is often used to describe a chipped item, while "SO" may indicate a soiled item); ask your driver to explain the codes to you
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If you do not agree with the driver's assessment of an item or items, note your exceptions on the original inventory form
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The driver will provide you with a copy of the inventory sheets after you sign them
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Bill of Lading
Before the movers leave, they will ask you to sign a Bill of Lading releasing your belongings to them for shipment. Review it for thoroughness, and retain a copy for your records. This document details all limitations to the movers' liability, so be sure you understand its terms and conditions.
A Final Walk-Through
There are several important things to do before the movers leave:
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Take one final walk through your house to make sure nothing has been overlooked
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Make sure the driver knows where you will be in transit and how to reach you at your destination
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Get a scheduled arrival date and time from the driver.
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Delivery Day
The following information and tips will help make sure your delivery day goes as smoothly as possible.
If you're moving across the country, there's a good chance you'll arrive at your new home ahead of your belongings. Don't panic! Many factors affect delivery time, and moving companies generally won't guarantee a specific delivery date. Your moving company representative will call to give you a spread of two specific times between which your delivery should take place.
Unloading and Taking Inventory
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Ask for the driver's inventory sheets; as each box is carried into the house, have the workers call out the box numbers so you can check them off
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When the movers have finished unloading (and, if you purchase the service, unpacking) your boxes, you will be asked to sign the inventory sheet; check it carefully before signing
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Do not sign any delivery papers until you have checked that all boxes and items have been received. By signing the delivery receipt, you acknowledge that you have received everything and agree with the driver as to the condition of your belongings
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Make a written note of any missing boxes or damage to boxes, furniture or other items
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If you suffer property damage or damage to your automobiles, you must note the damages on the inventory sheet and call your moving company immediately
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Unpacking
For an additional charge, moving companies will unpack your boxes, including taking out your belongings, placing them on flat surfaces (e.g., floors, countertops), and then removing the cartons from your home.
Insurance Claims
We hope you won't need to file any insurance claims for damaged goods. But if you do, here's how to go about it:
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If damage occurs, call your moving company immediately to get the necessary forms to file your
claim(s).
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Keep your damaged items; they must be available for inspection by the claims adjuster.
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You must file any and all claims involving interstate moves within a specific number of days after the delivery date, depending on your insurance policy.
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If your belongings are first delivered to storage and then to a temporary residence, you must file any claims within a specific number of days or before you leave that residence, whichever comes first.
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Moving
Insurance
You should purchase special insurance coverage for your household goods in transit. A homeowner's policy rarely covers household goods in transit; even when it does, there are often mileage limitations and other restrictions.
What Kind of Coverage Do You Need?
Generally, you can calculate the amount of insurance coverage you will need three different ways:
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By weight — Purchase at least $10.00 per pound (estimated weight) of household goods, which is the amount insurance companies recommend.
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By room — Use a formula of $10,000 per room of furniture.
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By contents — Determine the actual value of your shipment by taking a complete inventory of your household goods and listing the actual or replacement cost of each item.
Some Other Tips:
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If you purchase insurance, be aware of hidden deductibles or policy limitations; some policies do not cover or have limits on antiques, furs, etc.
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Most moving insurance covers external damage to appliances and electronic items when the damage can be identified as the result of mishandling. However, malfunctions of sensitive mechanical or electronic equipment that cannot specifically be traced to mishandling are considered mechanical "derangement" and aren't covered. If, for example, your TV, VCR, or CD player doesn't function properly upon delivery — but there is no clear evidence that it was mishandled during shipment — the malfunction would be considered mechanical derangement, and the item would not covered by insurance.
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Most policies do not cover jewelry, personal papers and documents, coin or stamp collections, boats valued over $25,000, and damage caused by mechanical derangement or inherent vice.
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You are required to hold on to all damaged articles, even if irreparable, for the mover or its representative to view. If items are not available for inspection, the mover or insurance provider is within its rights to decline liability.
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Moving
With Kids
Moving to a new location affects each child differently. Your move can be a positive adventure for all if you make it a true family affair. Talk with your children about your move as soon as the decision is made. Be upbeat, share your thoughts, and enlist their help and ideas — incorporating as many as possible so they know they are important members of the family moving "team." Every child two years of age or older, depending on the child's abilities and development, should take part in family discussions and help plan for the move.
Be sympathetic to your children's particular needs and fears, but take heart. Children adjust quickly, even those who may have reacted negatively or been overly concerned.
Here are some tips for moving with children:
Looking Forward To Your New Home
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If your children don't accompany you on a preliminary visit, take pictures of your new home and community
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Research your new community so you can talk about the neighborhood, the house, the schools, local areas of interest, and the benefits your family will enjoy in your new home
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Involve your children in plans to decorate their new bedrooms or play areas, including color choices, decoration, and arrangement of furniture
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Make new friends and become involved and active in your new community immediately. Your children will follow your example during this period of transition
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Encourage your children to keep in touch with old friends while they also enjoy making new friends
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Leaving Your Old Home
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Let your kids tell the neighborhood that you're moving
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Let them help plan for the care of plants and/or pets during the move
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Help them collect addresses of their friends and neighbors (don't forget e-mail addresses)
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Involve them in organizing a tag sale or charity donation of toys, clothing, books, etc.
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Have a "good-bye old friends" party
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Coping With Moving Day
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While packing and unpacking are in progress, consider having a sitter or friend watch your infants or younger children
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Don't let children run in and about the mover's van and equipment, distracting the crew from their work and professional services
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Let younger kids color or put stickers on their boxes, or make box labels, so they will be immediately recognizable coming off the moving van
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Prepare a "ready box" that can be first off the van; stock it with things you will need immediately upon arrival, such as snacks, kitchen items, bathroom toiletries, hand tools, etc.
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Put a set of sheets, towels, and personal items (blankets, toys, stuffed animals for smaller children) in each child's dresser drawer to speed bed-making and settling-in on the first night in your new home
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