Moving Reminders Checklist
Six to Eight Weeks Before Moving Day
Call us to set a date 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? We will will be happy to discuss packing
services with you.
Show us 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 Manual" 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 us to explain.
Keep the phone number and name of a your salesperson or move
coordinator handy.
| Four to Six Weeks Before Moving Day |
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Places to Notify:
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:
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 us:
Notify us if you add or subtract items from your planned
move, or if there are any changes in dates. Be sure to supply
us with a 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:
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 party or a 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:
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 us 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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Pets and Plants
Decide what to do with house plants. Armstrong 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 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 us
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. Ask us for
a copy of our "Moving With Pets" booklet.
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Other Important Details:
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
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:
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 at your expense, to see that all
mechanical and electrical equipment is properly serviced for
shipping prior to the arrival of the moving van. 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." Request a copy of
the "Moving Appliances & Other Home Furnishings" booklet for
more information.
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| Moving Day |
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Working With the Mover:
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 for your records.
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:
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 Van Operator:
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:
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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