Based on our years of experience, we have combined a series of helpful hints and useful suggestions to assist you in organizing and planning your next move. Here are some useful tips to help make your moving experience with future Van Lines a pleasant one.
Three Weeks Prior To Your Move:
- Obtain estimates from a number of moving companies and select the one that best serves your needs.
- Get rid of anything you aren’t bringing with you.
- Determine those items that you will pack and those that you wish the mover to pack.
- Begin your portion of the packing starting with articles that are seldom used.
- Identify the contents of each box and the room in which it is to be placed at destination.
- Determine whether pet care or shipping is required for move and make arrangements.
- Notify your kids’ schools and have their records transferred to their new schools.
- Make arrangements to disconnect gas, electric and other utilities.
- Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new place.
- Where necessary reserve elevators and/or loading docks.
Two Weeks Prior To Your Move:
- Complete change of address form at www.usps.com/moversnet.
- Arrange to pick up family medical records; transfer all prescriptions.
- Arrange to have any major appliances prepared for the move.
- Collect all the items you may have loaned out.
- Pick up information from schools.
One Week Prior To Your Move:
- Pack a suitcase with the clothes and toiletries you’ll need the first day in your new home.
- Pack a special box with other essentials you’ll need for the first few days. (Make sure to mark this box “Do Not Move”).
- Defrost and dry freezers and refrigerators that will be moved. Drain gas and oil from lawn mowers and other gas powered tools and dispose of properly.
Moving day:
- Take care of pets
- Pack towels, linens from beds and other personal items to take with you.
- Collect all keys to locking items. Put them in a safe place.
- Make sure everything is ready for the move.
- Make sure the driver has the correct delivery address and phone number.
- Before you leave, do a final walk through every room. Check all closets and cabinets.
- Be sure to be present when the movers arrive. Plan to stay around while they unload in case they have any questions.
- Have payment on hand for your moving charges.
Moving with Children
one of the unfortunate myths about relocation says that school age children should not be moved until summer. Many families have undergone considerable inconvenience just to avoid a school-year move. But, according to the AMSA, a summertime move may cause more problems than it solves.
Since school is a primary source for making friends, a summertime move will place your child in unfamiliar surroundings at a time when his chances for making friends are at a minimum. When school opens in September, he enters the first day chaos as a stranger. The teacher, meanwhile, facing a new class, will not be able to identify his discomfort and need for special attention.
A move during the school year, on the other hand, allows your child to go directly from one social setting into another. He’s new, so his classmates – and more importantly, the teacher pay attention to him.
Curricula in the elementary grades in particular are flexible enough to allow school transfer with a minimum of academic problems. High school curricula are generally more structured, which might cause some transitional academic difficulties. However, these difficulties would be a problem in September in the case of a summertime move. The uncertain academic drawbacks of relocation during the school year should be weighed against the social problems a summer move is almost certain to cause.
Bear in mind that whatever the reasons behind it, moving will represent a big change for all members of the family. Emotional fatigue and confusion can cause emotions to run high and tempers to run short. Prior preparation will enable your whole family to better handle the crises that relocation can precipitate.
Here are several ideas for making the transition as smooth as possible for your children:
- Include the children in making plans for the move. For example, take them with you, if possible, when you go hunting for your new house or apartment.
- If you are moving to a distant place, help your children learn about the new area. Moving companies, the local chamber of commerce, tourist bureaus, and state agencies are possible sources of information. Visit your local library.
- By using dolls, boxes, and a wagon, children can get a feeling for the concept of moving through play-acting.
- Let the children help decide how their new rooms are to be arranged and decorated.
- Take the time to make a last visit to places your family is particularly fond of.
- Encourage the children to exchange addresses with their new friends. If practical, give thought to allow them to have their old friends visit them at the new home. A telephone call to an old friend is a low-cost way to relieve post-move depression.
- Prepare a package for each child containing favorite toys, clothing, and snacks. Label it with the child’s name.
- Survey your new home for loose steps, low overhangs, and other possible accident-producers. Keep your eye on the children until they become familiar with the new home’s peculiarities.
- Take a break with the family as soon as the major unpacking is done. Don’t try to do everything as soon as you arrive.
- Both parents should spend time with all their children after the move, listening to what they’ve learned about the new school, new friends.
- The first few weeks in a new school may be difficult for your child. Follow this progress closely and if any problems increase or don’t go away with time, don’t hesitate to visit with his teacher. Accompanying your child to school the first few days may ease both his and your mind.
- If you are moving to a radically different environment – rural to urban, or vice versa – caution your children about the new situations they will face.
You will move many valuable possessions when you change addresses, but none will be as precious as your children. Give them the attention they deserve and need.
Two Weeks Prior To Your Move-Out Date
Return library books or any other borrowed items.
Collect all the items you may have loaned out.
Make arrangements to disconnect gas, electric and other utilities.
Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new place.
Arrange to have any major appliances prepared for the move.
One Week Prior To Your Move-Out Date
Get rid of all flammable or hazardous materials .
Figure out what you're bringing with you in the car or plane.
Arrange for removal of any "installed items" you're bringing with you like a TV antenna or shelves.
Pack a suitcase with the clothes and toiletries you'll need the first day in your new home.
Pack a special box with other essentials you'll need for the first few days. (Make sure to mark this box "Do Not Move").
One Day Prior To Your Move-Out Date
Take down curtains and curtain rods.
Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator. Make sure it has at least 24 hours to air dry.
Clean and air your stove.
Plan your breakfast.
Pack your personal belongings except your alarm clock.
Go to sleep early, you'll be glad of it tomorrow.
Fill out an IRS change of address form.
Get copies of your medical and dental records (if needed).
Get copies of veterinary records (if needed).
If you're moving out of state, find out about auto licensing and insurance.
If you're moving in-state, find out where and how to change your address on your driver's license.
Notify your kids' schools and have their records transferred to their new schools.
Return any cable equipment.
Make hotel and airline reservations (if needed).
Move-Out Day
Collect all keys to locking items. Put them in a safe place.
Strip the beds but leave them intact. We will dismantle them.
Make sure you're at home when the movers arrive, so you can sign an inventory.
Walk around with the crew chief while he does the inventory.
Make sure everything is ready for the move.
Keep your signed bill of lading and inventory in an easily accessible place.
Make sure the driver has the correct delivery address and phone number.
Confirm the expected delivery time with the driver.
Before you leave, do a final walk through of every room. Check all closets and cabinets.