Making the Move - Buyers's Advice

The Countdown to Moving Day

Planning for a move means organizing, organizing and more organizing.

If you plan well, the whole process can be much easier to handle. Take a look at the following guidelines and note right on these pages anything else you need to remember.

Several Weeks in Advance

1. Arrange for copies of medical, dental and other professional records to be sent to your new location.
2. Obtain copies of eyeglass and medical prescriptions.
3. Register your children for school and arrange for transcripts to be forwarded to the new school.
4. Use up any frozen foods - movers do not ship perishables.
5. Open a bank account and establish credit at your new location.
6. Start making travel plans. If you belong to a club or organization that provides travel advisory services, contact them soon.
7. Make a list of those you want to notify of your change of address (magazine publishers, insurance companies, national credit card companies, brokers, attorneys, relatives and friends).
8. Cancel/transfer memberships in religious, civic, social and fraternal organizations.
9. Have your car checked for the trip.
10. Ask your veterinarian about shipping pets and get record of inoculations.

Two Weeks Before Moving

1. Close all local charge accounts and destroy any credit cards you won't need in your new location.
2. Close your bank accounts. Empty your safe deposit box and transfer contents to your new bank by registered mail.
3. Notify utility companies of the date you want service discontinued or transferred to new owner and request refund of any deposits.
4. Notify the post office of your move date and arrange for the first class mail to be forwarded. Send out change of address cards.
5. Find out the requirements for driver's license and auto registration in your new location, if you are moving out of state.
6. Go through the garage, basement and attic and dispose of those things you know you won't need in your new home.
7. Discontinue home delivery of newspapers, milk, etc.
8. Return library books and other borrowed articles. Retrieve any items you may have loaned out.

One Week Before Moving

1. Arrange to take valuables with you or send ahead by registered mail. Movers will not take valuables such as money, securities, stamp or coin collections and jewelry.
2. Set aside toys and games children might want to have with them on the trip.
3. Set aside items that you want to be given special handling by the mover.
4. Prepare a list of those things you want to "load last," so you can get them first during unloading.
5. Drain gasoline from your lawnmower and dispose of any flammable or combustible materials. The mover will not take materials such as gasoline, paint thinner, ammunition.
6. Pick up articles of clothing at the cleaners.

The Day Before You Move

1. The packing crew usually arrives the day before the van is loaded. Be sure someone is on hand to supervise the packing.
2. Pack any valuables you intend to take with you.
3. Make sure fragile items receive special attention. Label cartons as to contents and where they go in the new home.
4. Empty, defrost, and wash out the refrigerator and freezer.
5. Gather keys to the house and arrange to leave them with the new owners of your home, your real estate agent, or a trusted neighbor.
6. Notify police if your home will be unoccupied after you leave.
7. Notify a close friend or relative of your itinerary in case of emergency.

The Day You Move From Your Home

1. Plan an early, simple breakfast.
2. Check the mover's inventory to see that you agree with the mover's judgment on the condition of your household goods. Take photographs if there is a dispute.
3. Make sure you get a copy of the inventory.
4. Load those things you are taking on the trip, including luggage.
5. Search every room before the van leaves.
6. Check the bill of lading for completeness before you sign it. Retain a copy for your records.
7. Find out the van driver's name and make certain he knows how to reach you at the destination.
8. Turn off the water heater. Set your thermostat at 55 degrees.

The Day Before You Move Into Your New Home

1. 1.  Get there before the movers. There could be a waiting charge if you are late.
2. Contact utility companies.
3. Check appliances, furnace, and hot water heater, so you can contact a repairman immediately if something is not working.
4. Check household goods carefully as they are unloaded for loss or damage.  List all lost or damaged items on the inventory form.
5. Since you will probably do some unpacking after the movers leave, make a note on the inventory "subject to inspection for concealed damage."
6. Ask the mailman if he is holding any mail for your arrival.

After You Are Settled

1. Obtain necessary licenses:  driver's, automobile, dog, etc.
2. Contact newspapers, dairy, etc., for home deliveries.
3. Register car at new address (there may be a penalty if you wait too long).
4. Register to vote.