In Search of a New Residence
Subscribe to the area's local newspaper in advance of your move. It usuallycontains a large real estate section, which can be very helpful in givingyou some idea of the type of housing available in the new city, as well asother useful information. Arrange for a house-hunting trip to your new city. When looking for a new home, take along a tape measure and a list of theexact dimensions of each of your major appliances and other large pieces offurniture. Measure the areas provided for them to be sure your appliancesand furniture will fit. Establish credit in the new city. Ask your bankerfor 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 tomove at any time of the year, don't wait until summer, the peak-movingseason. Consider also that the first and last few days of the month areextra busy. If you plan to sell your house, get it on the market as soon aspossible. 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 taxdeductible. Fill out the Personal Household Inventory for each room. This isimportant for establishing the amount of declared valuation for the shipmentand as a permanent inventory for insurance purposes. List, as nearly aspossible, the year of purchase and original cost of each item. Attach anyinvoices or records of purchase to the completed inventory. Prepare aseparate high-value inventory if the shipment will contain articles of"extraordinary" value. The following list includes items that might fallinto this category:
* Antiques* Art Collections* Cameras* China Collections* Computer Equipment* Crystal* Figurines
* Firearms* Jewelry* Manuscripts* Oriental Rugs* Silver* Stones Or Gems* Tapestries* TVs Or Stereos
Estimate of Moving Costs
Unless you have been given a binding estimate where a firm cost isestablished in advance, the exact cost of a move cannot be determined untilafter the shipment has been loaded on the van and weighed. The weight onwhich charges are based is calculated by weighing the van before and afterloading. The total cost of the move will include transportation charges,any charges for declared valuation, plus charges for any extra servicesperformed at your request. All of these charges are based on tariff rateschedules. Owner's Responsibility It is the owner's responsibility to seethat your mechanical, electrical equipment and appliances are properlyserviced for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving van. For safemoving, have these items prepared by a licensed or properly trainedtechnician. This service may be performed by a technician of your choice orby qualified personnel of the moving company. If the owner has failed tohave an item serviced, the van operator may load and haul it, but will markthe inventory sheet, "Not Serviced-Loaded at Owner's Risk." Six to EightWeeks before Moving Day Working with the Mover
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Gather medical and dental records including vaccination data, medical prescriptions, dates of last examinations, history of past illnesses and so on.
* 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.
* Obtain letters of introduction from your church, organization, club, and business Associates.
* 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.
Four to Six Weeks before Moving Day
Planning Your Packing if you plan to do the packing yourself, startcollecting suitable containers. You can purchase specialized containersfrom most moving companies, such as:
* Small cartons for heavy items (books, record albums, and tools). * Wardrobe containers * Large cartons for bulky items (pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys). * Medium-sized cartons for bulkier but not so heavy items (towels, linens, and small appliances)
Collect other packing materials
* White paper* Tissue paper* Paper towels * Non printed paper * Newspapers * Tape or Strong twine for sealing containers* Scissors or Sharp knife (keep out of children's reach) * Felt marker to mark containers* Notebook & Pencil for listing contents * Labels or Stickers (Available from moving company)
Set goals and deadlines to ensure that all packing is completed by movingday. You may want to pack one room per week. Attach a list of contents toeach carton. Separate and mark goods that will go into storage. Considerhaving a garage sale to dispose of unwanted items. If you donate clothing orhousehold goods to charitable organizations, get receipts showing theirapproximate value for tax deductions? Remember that the cost of moving anitem may be greater than replacing it. Begin to use up large supplies ofcanned goods and frozen foods. Buy only what will be used before moving.Places To Notify of Impending Address Change Utilities.
* Electric* Gas* Water* Telephone* Fuel* Trash removal* Professional Services* Doctor* Dentist* Accountant* Lawyer* Real estate Agent* Stock broker* Insurance Agents* Life* Health* Fire* Auto* Boat* Established Business Accounts* Credit cards* Motor Vehicle Department* Finance companies* Banks* Department stores* Government and Public Offices* Social Security Administration* Federal and state income tax offices* Publications* Newspapers* Magazines* Professional and trade* Credit Card Companies* Bank cards* Oil companies* Store cards* Other cards* Miscellaneous* Relatives and friends* Business associates* Book and record clubs* Schools and colleges* Church
Landlord, if you are a tenant Tenants, if you are a landlord.
Two to Three Weeks before Moving Day
Let the post office know your moving date and new address. If you do nothave a permanent address by the time you move, the post office will holdyour mail and forward it upon written instructions from you. Phone the localbusiness office of the Telephone Company. They can make arrangements forservice in your new home and, on request, give out your new number when yourpresent number is called.
Contact all service companies as listed:
* Electric* Gas* Water* Fuel* Cable TV
If possible, arrange to have utilities connected before your arrival. Makefamily travel plans. Reserve air or rail transportation and hotelaccommodations as needed. Have your car prepared for the trip-tires,brakes, lubrication, oil change, and tune-up-as needed. Dispose offlammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, pressure cansor paint thinner. Drain oil and fuel from your power mower and othermachinery. Discard partly used cans of oil, paint, syrup or any othersubstance that may leak. Carefully tape-seal and place in individualwaterproof bags any jars of liquids or semi-liquids you do not wish todiscard. Have rugs cleaned that are to be moved. Leave them rolled andwrapped when they are returned from the cleaners. If draperies are to bemoved, have them cleaned and ready for alterations that might be needed inyour new home. Collect items that are being cleaned stored or repaired(clothing, shoes, watches). Empty your locker at any club you are a memberof. Return library books and anything borrowed from friends or neighbors. Also collect things you may have loaned. Decide what to do with yourhouseplants.
Set a date with a reliable service person to prepare your appliances forshipment, preferably the day before the move. Depending on the appliance,post service may be needed for refrigerator, freezer, range, washer, dryerand others. For more information, request a free booklet, generally providedby most Home Removal companies. Pianos and organs need to be prepared formoving by a specialized technician. Make arrangements to have utilitiesdisconnected on moving day:
* Electric* Gas* Water* Fuel* Cable TV
Plan to keep your telephone in service through moving day in case lastminute calls are necessary. Take pets to the veterinarian. Make sureidentification 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 andUnloaded first." Package each group of items separately in labeled paperbags. Here are some suggestions.
* Cleaning* Powdered detergent* Sponge* Paper towels* Dish towels* Dish cloth* Kitchen cleanser* Window cleaner* Scouring pads* Kitchen* Paper plates, cups, napkins* Plastic knives, forks, spoons* Small saucepan* Serving spoons* Aluminum foil* Snacks* Easy-to-open cans of pudding* Dry soup mix* Sandwich spreads* Jars of cheese* Package of crackers* Boxes of dry cereals* Instant coffee, tea, chocolate* Instant creamer, sugar, salt* Bathroom* Towels and face cloths* Toilet tissue* Facial tissue* Soap, hand lotion, deodorant* Toothbrushes and toothpaste* Miscellaneous* Reading materials* Puzzles* Last-Minute Packing* Cellular telephone* Light bulbs* Flashlight* Hammer, screwdriver, pliers, assorted nails and screws* Shelf paper* Trash bags and ties* Children* Coloring books and crayons* A favorite toy or two
Complete the "Take-with-Me Inventory" checklist in Appendix D. Checkcontents of drawers. Remove all things that can spill or break. Soft goodssuch as blankets, pillows, blouses, shirts and lingerie may be left indrawers. Pin clothing to hangers if it is to be moved in wardrobe cartons tokeep it from slipping off. Remove items left in the attic or other storageareas. Empty the refrigerator and freezer so they can dry at least 24 hoursbefore moving. Be careful not to overlook the defrost water pan. Failure tohave the appliances completely dry can lead to mildew and unpleasant odor.For more information, request a free booklet, Moving Appliances and OtherHome Furnishings, from United Van Lines. Be sure the water is emptied fromyour steam iron. Launder all soiled clothing prior to the day the applianceservice technician is expected. Take the telephone directory with you forcontacting former doctors, dentists, suppliers, etc., and for preparingholiday card lists. Pack suitcases for the trip to the new home. Put inextra clothing for emergencies. Consider packing a picnic lunch to eat whiletraveling. Take along snacks such as fruit and cookies for the children.Include towels for a quick cleanup. Arrange for a baby-sitter for movingday, or have older children look after the younger ones.
Moving Day
Loading Your Belongings
* Be on hand when the movers arrive. Otherwise, it is important to let the Removalist 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
Take a last look around:
* Water shut off?* Gas shut off?* Air-conditioning shut off?* Light switches turned off?* All utilities arranged for disconnection?* Windows shut and locked?* Have you left anything?* Lock the house and leave the keys with a responsible person or in a prearranged location.
At Your Destination
* Contact the destination Removalist whose name appears on the forms signed as soon as possible and indicate where and how you can be reached.* 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.* 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 Removalist 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. * 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.)* 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.* Then 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.* 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.
Getting Settled
* 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.
* Make arrangements for reinstallation of appliances.
* 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.
* Check with the post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to start.
* Have your medical and dental records transferred after selecting a family physician and dentist.
* You may want to select a Lawyer 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.
* Locate the selected schools. Take the children, introduce yourself and register them.

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