Things You Should Know
About Moving:
In Search of
a New Residence:
Subscribe to the
area's local newspaper in advance of your move. It usually
contains a large real estate section, which can be very helpful
in giving you some idea of the type of housing available in the
new city, as well as other useful information. Arrange for a
house-hunting trip to your new city or area. When looking for a
new home, take along a tape measure and a list of the exact
dimensions of each of your major appliances and other large
pieces of furniture. Measure the areas provided for them to be
sure your appliances and furniture will fit. Establish credit in
the new city. Ask your banker for a referral to a correspondent
bank and to act as a credit reference.
Preplanning Your Move:
Plan the move as
early as possible. If you are able to move at any time of the
year, don't wait until summer, the peak-moving season. Consider
also that the first and last few days of the month are extra
busy. If you plan to sell your house, get it on the market as
soon as possible. If renting, give your landlord timely notice
of your moving date. Keep a record of all expenses related to
the move, some of which may be tax deductible. Fill out the
Personal Household Inventory for each room. This is important
for establishing the amount of declared valuation for the
shipment and as a permanent inventory for insurance purposes.
List, as nearly as possible, the year of purchase and original
cost of each item. Attach any invoices or records of purchase to
the completed inventory. Prepare a separate high-value inventory
if the shipment will contain articles of "extraordinary" value.
The following list includes items that might fall into this
category:
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Antiques
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Art Collections
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Cameras
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China
Collections
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Computer
Equipment
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Crystal
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Figurines
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Firearms
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Jewelry
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Manuscripts
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Oriental Rugs
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Silver
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Stones
Or Gems
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Tapestries
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TVs Or Stereos
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Estimate
of Moving Costs:
Unless you have
been given a binding estimate where a firm cost is established
in advance, the exact cost of a move cannot be determined until
after the shipment has been loaded on the van and weighed. The
weight on which charges are based is calculated by weighing the
van before and after loading. The total cost of the move will
include transportation charges, any charges for declared
valuation, plus charges for any extra services performed at your
request. All of these charges are based on tariff rate
schedules.
Owner's
Responsibility:
It is the
owner's responsibility to see that your mechanical, electrical
equipment and appliances are properly serviced for shipping
prior to the arrival of the moving van. For safe moving, have
these items prepared by a licensed or properly trained
technician. This service may be performed by a technician of
your choice or by qualified personnel of the moving company. If
the owner has failed to have an item serviced, the van operator
may load and haul it, but will mark the inventory sheet, "Not
Serviced-Loaded at Owner's Risk."
Six to
Eight Weeks before Moving Day Working with the Mover:
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Have the moving
company conduct a household goods survey in order to furnish
you with a written estimate, although the final cost will
depend on the actual weight of your household goods after
they are loaded on the van. Before the removal list arrives,
inspect the property. Include the garage, patio and any
storage shed. Decide what to move and what to discard.
Remember the cost of moving an item may be greater than the
cost of replacing it.
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Decide whether
you want to do any of the packing or have it done by the
moving company's experienced personnel. Show the removal
list everything that is to be moved. Specify articles that
are to be packed so the estimate will include these charges.
Any items that are later added to the shipment will add to
the cost estimate. Transfer of Personal Records * Arrange
for closing or transfer of charge accounts.
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Check personal
insurance policies to see whether moving is covered.
Transfer fire, theft and other personal property insurance
to ensure coverage at the new home.
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Obtain
transcripts of the children's school records and credentials
from school authorities or secure transcripts of school
records, if you prefer to take them along.
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Gather medical
and dental records including vaccination data, medical
prescriptions, dates of last examinations, history of past
illnesses and so on.
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Ask your doctor
and dentist to recommend colleagues in the new city. Be sure
to check current telephone numbers and addresses of
physicians, dentist and hospital, which will help when
transferring your records.
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Obtain letters
of introduction from your church, organization, club, and
business Associates.
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Transfer, sell
or resign memberships in clubs or associations. Report your
move to any lending agency with which you do business. A
lender's permission may be required to move personal
property in which the lender has an interest.
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Four to
Six Weeks before Moving Day Planning Your Packing:
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If you plan to
do the packing yourself, start collecting suitable
containers. You can purchase specialized containers from
most moving companies, such as:
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Small cartons
for heavy items (books, record albums, and tools).
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Wardrobe
containers
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Large cartons
for bulky items (pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys).
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Medium-sized
cartons for bulkier but not so heavy items (towels, linens,
and small appliances) Collect other packing materials
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White paper
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Tissue paper
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Paper towels
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Non-printed
paper
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Newspapers
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Tape
or Strong twine for sealing containers
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Scissors or
Sharp knife (keep out of children's reach)
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Felt marker to
mark containers
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Notebook &
Pencil for listing contents
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Labels or
Stickers (Available from moving company) Set goals and
deadlines to ensure that all packing is completed by moving
day. You may want to pack one room per week. Attach a list
of contents to each carton. Separate and mark goods that
will go into storage. Consider having a garage sale to
dispose of unwanted items. If you donate clothing or
household goods to charitable organizations, get receipts
showing their approximate value for tax deductions? Remember
that the cost of moving an item may be greater than
replacing it. Begin to use up large supplies of canned goods
and frozen foods. Buy only what will be used before moving.
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Places
To Notify of Impending Address Change:
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Gas
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Water
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Telephone
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Fuel
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Trash removal
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Professional
Services
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Doctor
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Dentist
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Accountant
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Lawyer
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Real estate
Agent
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Stock broker
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Insurance
Agents (home, life, health, auto & boat)
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Established
Business Accounts
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Credit cards
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Motor Vehicle
Department
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Finance
companies
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Banks
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Department
stores
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Government and
Public Offices
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Social Security
Administration
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Federal and
state income tax offices
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Publications
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Newspapers
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Magazines
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Professional
and trade
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Credit Card
Companies
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Bank cards
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Oil companies
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Store cards
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Other cards
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Miscellaneous
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Relatives and
friends
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Business
associates
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Book and record
clubs
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Schools and
colleges
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Church
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Landlord, if
you are a tenant
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Tenants, if you
are a landlord
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Two to
Three Weeks before Moving Day:
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Let the post
office know your moving date and new address. If you do not
have a permanent address by the time you move, the post
office will hold your mail and forward it upon written
instructions from you. Phone the local business office of
the Telephone Company. They can make arrangements for
service in your new home and, on request, give out your new
number when your present number is called.
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Contact
all service companies as listed:
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Electric
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Gas
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Water
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Fuel
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Cable TV
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If possible,
arrange to have utilities connected before your arrival. Make
family travel plans. Reserve air or rail transportation and
hotel accommodations as needed. Have your car prepared for the
trip: tires, brakes, lubrication, oil change, and tune-up-as
needed. Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning
fluids, matches, acids, pressure cans or paint thinner. Drain
oil and fuel from your power mower and other machinery. Discard
partly used cans of oil, paint, syrup or any other substance
that may leak. Carefully tape-seal and place in individual
waterproof bags any jars of liquids or semi-liquids you do not
wish to discard. Have rugs cleaned that are to be moved. Leave
them rolled and wrapped when they are returned from the
cleaners. If draperies are to be moved, have them cleaned and
ready for alterations that might be needed in your new home.
Collect items that are being cleaned stored or repaired
(clothing, shoes, watches). Empty your locker at any club you
are a member of. Return library books and anything borrowed from
friends or neighbors. Also collect things you may have loaned.
Decide what to do with your houseplants. Set a date with a
reliable service person to prepare your appliances for shipment,
preferably the day before the move. Depending on the appliance,
post service may be needed for refrigerator, freezer, range,
washer, dryer and others. For more information, request a free
booklet, generally provided by most Home Removal companies.
Pianos and organs need to be prepared for moving by a
specialized technician. Make arrangements to have utilities
disconnected on moving day:
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Electric
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Gas
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Water
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Fuel
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Cable TV
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Plan to keep
your telephone in service through moving day in case last minute
calls are necessary. Take pets to the veterinarian. Make sure
identification tags are securely attached to the pet's collar.
Three
Days before Moving Day Instant Aid Box:
Pack a box for
instant needs on arrival. Mark the box "To be loaded last and
Unloaded first." Package each group of items separately in
labeled paper bags. Here are some suggestions.
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Powdered
detergent
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Sponge
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Paper towels
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Dish towels
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Dish cloth
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Kitchen
cleanser
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Window cleaner
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Scouring
pads
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Paper plates,
cups, napkins
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Plastic knives,
forks, spoons
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Small saucepan
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Serving spoons
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Aluminum foil
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Snacks
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Easy-to-open
cans of pudding
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Dry soup mix
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Sandwich
spreads
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Jars of cheese
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Package of
crackers
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Boxes of dry
cereals
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Instant coffee,
tea, chocolate
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Instant
creamer, sugar, salt
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Towels and face
cloths
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Toilet tissue
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Facial tissue
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Soap, hand
lotion, deodorant
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Toothbrushes
and toothpaste
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Reading
materials
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Puzzles
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Last-Minute
Packing
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Cellular
telephone
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Light bulbs
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Flashlight
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Hammer,
screwdriver, pliers, assorted nails and screws
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Shelf paper
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Trash bags and
ties
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Coloring books
and crayons (for children)
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A favorite toy
or two (for children)
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Check contents
of drawers. Remove all things that can spill or break. Soft
goods such as blankets, pillows, blouses, shirts and lingerie
may be left in drawers. Pin clothing to hangers if it is to be
moved in wardrobe cartons to keep it from slipping off. Remove
items left in the attic or other storage areas. Empty the
refrigerator and freezer so they can dry at least 24 hours
before moving. Be careful not to overlook the defrost water pan.
Failure to have the appliances completely dry can lead to mildew
and unpleasant odor. For more information, request a free
booklet, Moving Appliances and Other Home Furnishings, from
United Van Lines. Be sure the water is emptied from your steam
iron. Launder all soiled clothing prior to the day the appliance
service technician is expected. Take the telephone directory
with you for contacting former doctors, dentists, suppliers,
etc., and for preparing holiday card lists. Pack suitcases for
the trip to the new home. Put in extra clothing for emergencies.
Consider packing a picnic lunch to eat while traveling. Take
along snacks such as fruit and cookies for the children. Include
towels for a quick cleanup. Arrange for a baby-sitter for moving
day, or have older children look after the younger ones.
Moving
Day Loading Your Belongings:
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Be on hand when
the movers arrive. Otherwise, it is important to let the
mover know to whom you have given authority to take your
place. Be sure this person knows exactly what to do.
Remember the person may be asked to sign documents
obligating you to charges.
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Accompany the
van operator through the house inspecting and tagging each
piece of furniture with an identifying number. These
numbers, along with a description of your goods and their
condition at the time of loading, will appear on the
inventory.
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Be sure the
condition of each item is recorded and the van operator has
a clear understanding about what is to be loaded last. It is
your responsibility to see that all of your goods are
loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is
completed. After making a final tour of the house to be sure
no items have been overlooked, check and sign the inventory.
Get your copy and keep it in a safe place.
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Check to see
the van operator has the exact destination address. Be
specific as to where and how you can be reached pending the
arrival of your household goods.
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Leave the phone
connected throughout the moving day. Leave a note listing
your new address in a conspicuous place in the house so the
new occupants will be able to forward any of your mail
inadvertently delivered to them.
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Take a last
look around:
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Water shut off?
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Gas shut off?
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Air-conditioning shut off?
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*light switches
turned off?
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All utilities
arranged for disconnection?
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Windows shut
and locked?
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Have you left
anything?
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Lock the house
and leave the keys with a responsible person or in a
prearranged location
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At Your
Destination:
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Contact the
destination mover whose name appears on the forms signed as
soon as possible and indicate where and how you can be
reached.
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Make sure the
house is ready for occupancy before the van arrives. If you
have not already done so, contact the utility companies and
make necessary arrangements for service. Ask if any of them
provides free appliance connection service.
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Be on hand to
accept delivery of your household goods. Otherwise authorize
an adult as your representative to accept delivery and pay
the charges for you. Inform the mover of the person so
authorized. On the day of delivery, the van operator will
attempt to contact you by phone and make an appearance at
the residence if unable to reach you. If no one appears to
accept the shipment within the free waiting time, the goods
will be placed in storage at the owner's expense.
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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 any damage and/or missing items 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 the moving
company agent at destination immediately. (You must file the
claim yourself; the van operator cannot do it for you.)
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To save time
and confusion, place a floor plan of your new home at the
entrance the movers will use, indicating where each piece of
furniture should go.
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When unloading,
each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct,
including the lying of rugs and setting up of bed frames,
box springs and mattresses. However, appliances and fixtures
may not be installed. At your request and additional cost,
the agent may arrange for this service and for refilling of
waterbed mattresses.
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To prevent
possible damage, television sets, other electronic equipment
and certain major appliances should not be used for 24 hours
after delivery, allowing them time to adjust to room
temperature. If you have paid for unpacking, you are
entitled to unpacking service and removal of the cartons
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Getting
Settled:
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If you have not
already done so, contact the utility companies and make
necessary arrangements for service. Ask if any of them
provides free appliance connection service.
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Make
arrangements for reinstallation of appliances.
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Keep all
documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will
need them for verification of moving expenses and for filing
your income tax returns. For more information on
tax-deductible moving expenses, consult an Accountant or Tax
specialist.
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Check with the
post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to
start.
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Have your
medical and dental records transferred after selecting a
family physician and dentist.
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You may want to
select a Lawyer to discuss laws pertaining 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 and the like.
Most laws affect a family as soon as residence in the new
state and city is established. Register to vote.
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Locate the
selected schools. Take the children, introduce yourself and
register them. |
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