Check list

Start preparation by finding the right mover, however there are number of things you must do to make sure you are ready to move.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Sorted through basement, loft and garage?

Resolved what to do with prohibited items?

Made proper provision for pets?

Decided whether or not you are taking your car?

Disposed of the things you don't want to take?

Started to prepare your mailing list of people who need your change of address?

Notified banks, savings accounts, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions?

Started to round up passports, birth/marriage certificates and other family documentation?

Applied for any necessary visas?

Checked that electrical goods will work in your new home?

Separated favorite toys?

Made sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date?

Arranged for mail to be forwarded?

Decided whether or not to buy any new household goods - check tax refunds?

Decided which clothes travel with you?

Started to dismantle climbing frames/garden furniture?

Agreed an insurance value and terms with your mover?

Made arrangements of connection of services at your new home?

Returning library books?

Canceled milk, newspapers, subscriptions?

Found new homes for your plants?

A Week Prior to Move Day:

Defrosted the refrigerator/freezer?

Planned simple meals for moving day to avoid having fast food?

Separated luggage items you need for personal travel?

Cleaned garden tools, bicycles and any other gardening equipment?

Emptied the tanks of powered tools such as mowers?

Checked you have enough medication for at least two weeks, and ensure you have copies of any necessary prescriptions for use at destination?

Collected travelers checks or local currency?

Arranged for someone to look after the children on moving day?

On Move Day:

Stay with movers to make sure all items get registered in the inventory form.

Make sure both you and the mover sign inventory and you get copies of it.

Terminology

• Accessorial (Additional) Services - These are services Packing, Unpacking, Appliance servicing (connecting/reconnecting), etc.
• Advanced Charges - These are services performed by someone other than the mover. (Craftsman for wooden crates), other professional. Mover pays for these services and adds fees in your contract.
• Bill of Lading - the contract for transportation and receipt for your goods.
• Carrier - Mover transporting your goods.
• Cash on Delivery (COD) - This means payment is required at the time of delivery, at home or warehouse.
• Expedited Service - This is an arrangement made with mover (long distance) by a set date in exchange for charges based on higher minimum weight.
• Flight Charge - A charge for carrying items up and/or down stairs (long distance only).
• Guaranteed Pick up and Delivery Service - Guaranteed dates of pick up and delivery (long distance moves), mover will provide reimbursement for delays. This premium service has higher tariff or higher minimum wight requirements.
• High value article (Article of extraordinary value) - Items valued at more than $100 per pound, or $220 per kg.
• Household Goods - in connection with moving means personal property used, or to be used, in a dwelling. You must request these items to be transported and pay mover for the transportation charges.
• Inventory - a detailed descriptive list of customer's household goods showing the number and the condition of the item.
• Long Carry - A charge for carrying article excessive distance between the truck and the residence. (Long distance moves only).
• Mover - A motor carrier engaged in the transportation of household goods.
• Order for Service - A document authorizing your mover to transport your goods.
• Pick up and delivery charges - Separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between short term storage and your residence.
• Reasonable Dispatch - The performance of transportation and delivery on the dates agreed upon by you and your mover and shown on your contract "order for service".
• Shuttle Service - A use of smaller truck to provide service to residence not accessible by mover's regular truck.
• Storage In Transit (SIT) - A temporary storage of your shipment, pending further transportation, with or with out notification to customer. If customer can not accept shipment on the agreed date, mover can place goods into warehouse (with out notification). In this case customer is responsible for SIT charges, as well as warehouse handling, and final delivery charges.
• Tariff - An issuance containing rates, rules, regulations, classifications or other provisions. California issued a Max 4 tariff for moves with in the state (contains of maximum rate, which movers can not exceed). Federal Department of Transportation, for moves across state lines, requires movers to post tariff. The tariff must contain 3 (three) specific items. First, description of services offered to public. Second, the specific applicable rates, (or basis for calculating rates), and service terms for services offered to public. Third, has to be arranged to that customer can determine the rates for services applicable to their shipment.
• Valuation - the degree of worth of the shipment. The valuation charge compensates a mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than is provided in base transportation charges.
• Warehouse handling - A charge may be applicable every time SIT service is provided.

A few tips

The best way to prepare for moving is to learn your rights and responsibilities.

Find out what are the liabilities of the moving companies.

What kind of materials are not allowed to transport with movers.

You should interview 2 or more reputable companies. Get written estimates and choose the company with the best reputation and a reasonable offer.

Make sure to be very thorough at describing services you require. And to compare companies costs make sure that companies have same understanding of your requirements.

Customer can require the availability of guaranteed pickup and delivery dates.

Long distance moves have different methods of deliveries: exclusive use of a truck and straight delivery, or consolidated relocation.

Have movers explain the differences of protection programs.

Make sure to understand if you are dealing with:

a. mover - household mover's ordinary course of business is providing transportation of customers belongings and is liable for the shipment,

b. mover's agent - is liable for the shipment and works with mover and uses mover's tariff,

c. broker - responsible to find an authorized mover, but will not be responsible for loss or damage.

Ask your mover of their schedule of fees, pertaining to your move (local/long distance). Local for the size of your residence or industrial facility, if long distance by size and the distance. Some movers have discounts for the size of relocation.

Get a copy of bill of lading (contract) from your mover and get familiar with the definitions used by movers and the "small print" inside the contract.

Get in writing from mover acceptable forms of payment.

Find out what happens if you are not ready to accept shipment and need short term storage.

Find out the process of how to file a claim in case of loss or damage.

Packing techniques

• Pack one room at a time, labeling each box with a description of its contents and its destination (e.g., kitchen, bathroom). Be as specific as you can; it will make unpacking that much easier.
• Keep the weight of your boxes reasonable. If possible, put heavy items in small boxes to make them easier to carry.
• Don't apply tape directly to polished or painted wood finishes. Removing the tape could ruin the surface.
• Double-box fragile items and add plenty of cushioning.

Valuation Insurance

Appliances require a lot of "know-how" and a great deal of coordination.

A moving company will do all of the heavy work -- the actual transporting of your appliances from your home into the van and then safely out of the van into your new residence. However, the preparation of major appliances and other home furnishings is an important activity for you to schedule.

When planning the many important details of a move, be sure to properly prepare for the transportation of major appliances and other home furnishings. Depending upon the item, special precautions may be required.

It’s your responsibility to:

• take care of these preparations yourself

• hire an appropriate technician

• request that the moving company make the arrangements for you at an additional charge

Servicing

“Servicing” means preparing appliances so they will safely withstand handling during transit or while in storage. This process can include bracing a washer tub, disconnecting an ice maker, capping off a gas line, and special handling of satellite dish components.

Moving companies do not:

• Disconnect appliances (ice maker, washer, dryer, etc.) or reconnect them in the new residence.
• Disconnect utilities.
• Repair appliances.
• Remove or install window air conditioners or television and radio antennas.
• Perform wiring, plumbing, electrical or carpentry services.

Responsibility for Servicing

The Appliance Service Company Representative

• Prepares the appliances for safe handling prior to transit and/or shipment.
• The Gas Company Service Representative
• Disconnects gas lines and caps the pipes.

The Moving Company

Provides personnel for careful, efficient handling of appliances during a move. Every effort is made to ensure that appliances reach destination safely.

Will, as requested and authorized by the owner, arrange for any servicing required. However, the moving company does not automatically assume this responsibility.

The Owner

• Assumes responsibility for having appliances properly serviced, both at origin and destination. It is best to have a reputable service representative prepare appliances for moving at least one day before they are to be loaded on the van.
• May authorize the moving company to arrange for appliance servicing. This is an accessories or third-party service which will be added to the Bill of Lading as an additional cost or advanced charge.

Preparation of Major Appliances

• Thorough cleaning and drying of appliances, particularly the refrigerator, freezer and range, are necessary. This is especially important if they will be in storage for any length of time.
• Cleaning instructions are included in the owner’s manual which accompanies new appliances. If no instructions are available, use a mild detergent solution. Or, use a solution of three quarts of warm water to which one tablespoon of vinegar has been added. Do not use harsh abrasives that will scratch or mar finishes. A soft cloth or vacuum cleaner will remove excess dust. Soft rags make excellent drying and polishing cloths.

Refrigerator

Cleaning

• Use a cloth and mild detergent to wipe off the exterior finish.

• Before cleaning the interior, dispose of perishables and unplug the power cord.

• Wash removable parts such as shelves and drawers with a mild detergent or in a solution of warm water and baking soda (about one tablespoon of baking soda to one quart of water). Ice trays and ice storage bins should be washed in lukewarm water only.

• Wash the interior walls and any non-removable parts with a mild detergent or baking soda solution.

• Leave the door open for at least 24 hours. Allowing all moisture to evaporate. If your refrigerator is not a frost-free model, allow extra time to complete defrosting and drying.

• Secure all loose plastic parts.

• Glass shelves should be removed, cleaned and carefully packed in a carton for protection during transit.

• Double-check the butter and egg compartments; be sure the appliance is totally empty and clean. A refrigerator which is not cleaned before transit can develop an unpleasant, permanent odor, making the appliance unusable at destination.

• After cleaning, place an odor and mildew preventative in your refrigerator.

• At the bottom of the refrigerator, remove the base covering and vacuum the condenser or compressor.

• Empty and clean the evaporator pan; allow time for it to dry.

Servicing

• Turn off the water and disconnect the water line if you have a cold water dispenser or automatic ice maker. You should also empty the water reservoir.

• If your refrigerator is an older model, you may need to have themotor or compressor bolted down. The majority of refrigerators now are sealed units that do not require this service.

• At destination, do not operate the refrigerator for at least 24 hours after delivery. This allows the oil time to settle, preventing possible damage to the compressor.

• Ice makers and water dispensers must be connected to awater line. Installation service or parts can be obtained from an authorized dealer for your appliance. Copper tubing, a shut-off valve and fittings may be required. Once your ice maker is in service, dispose of the first few batches of ice because of possible impurities from opening a water line.

Washer

Cleaning

• Use a soft cloth and appliance cleaner to wipe off the exterior.

• On the inside, clean lint filter and tub with a soft dry cloth.

• Leave the lid open so that any moisture will evaporate.

Servicing

• Turn off water faucets, disconnect and drain hoses.

• Wrap the metal connector ends of hoses in a towel and place inside the washer.

• To ensure the safe transport of your washer, it should be serviced to prevent swaying of the tub.

• Regardless of the time of year you move, all water should be drained from the tub because shipments can travel through a variety of climates and terrain.

• Ask your United agent about third-party appliance servicing. There are more than 20 different washer moving kits available from various appliance manufacturers. The cost for third-party servicing is nominal, especially for the protection it provides to your washer.

• After your move, be sure to have the washer connected by a qualified installer.

Dryer

Cleaning

• Unplug the dryer or turn off the electrical power to the appliance.

• Remove any debris from the lint screen with your fingers or a dry paper towel. Do not use water on the screen.

• Wipe off the exterior with an appliance cleaner and soft damp cloth.

• You can remove dust from the interior with a damp sponge.

• If the dryer drum is discolored, try a mild liquid household cleaner or a paste of laundry detergent and warm water. Rub the area until the discoloration is removed. Wipe thoroughly. Then reconnect to electricity and operate the dryer with a load of old rags to remove any soap residue and to thoroughly dry the drum. Remove the rags when finished.

Servicing

• Disconnect the electrical supply to the appliance.

• For a gas dryer, the appliance should be disconnected and the gas line capped off before moving day by a qualified service technician.

• At destination, use a qualified installer who is familiar with requirements for gas and or electricity, as well as the exhaust system.