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this handy checklist to get organized long before your move. |
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At Least One Month Before The Move
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Clean out your closets, attic, basement, cupboards, toy chests and
bookshelves. Discard anything you don't want or need.
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Consider having a tag or garage sale.
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Donate unwanted
items to charitable organizations (i.e., hospitals, nursing homes,
day care centers, libraries and thrift shops). Obtain receipts for
tax purposes.
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Evaluate
whether to ship your appliances. Consider age, size and color. If
your stove, refrigerator, washer or dryer won't match or fit in your
new home, consider selling them. For example, don't move a gas stove
or dryer into an all-electric house. Also, consider selling chandeliers
and ceiling fans with your home unless you have a special or sentimental
reason for taking them along.
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Make a complete
inventory of items to be moved.
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Decide if
you will move all your plants or just your favorites.
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Use up your
frozen foods. They CANNOT be safely shipped. It is also advisable
to reduce your supply of canned goods.
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Notify the
security company, lawn or snow-removal services or any other regular
services of your vacating date.
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Notify your
post office, publications, and correspondents of change of address
and date of move.
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Check your
savings and checking accounts. Plan for transfer of deposits so you
won't lose interest. Your bank can be used as a credit reference.
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Arrange
to collect any advance deposits or security deposits on utilities
or rentals.
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Check your
homeowners insurance. Any prepaid balance may be applied to your new
residence. Be sure to coordinate with your insurance carrier so your
new residence is covered immediately.
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Check on
club membership fees. The money may be refunded or, if allowed, you
might consider transferring/selling the membership to a friend.
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Check with
your veterinarian regarding any travel preparation needed for your
pets. Check your employer's policy on pet transportation coverage.
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Register
children for school; transfer all necessary school records.
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Plan shipment
date to occur after closing on your new home.
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At
Least Two Weeks Before The Move |
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Contact
telephone, electric, gas and water companies to confirm specific date
on which to discontinue services. Verify this date with your Cendant
Mobility consultant.
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Advise
utility companies in your new location when to start new services.
(Waiting for service to begin can often result in costly hotel and
meal expenses.)
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Check
new driver's license and auto registration requirements.
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Advise
dairy, laundry, newspaper carrier and trash hauler to discontinue
services.
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Be
sure to clean out school or gymnasium lockers.
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Ask
your present physician(s) and dentist for referrals in the new location.
Transfer medical records and get copies of prescriptions. If members
of the family have any ongoing medical or dental treatment programs,
arrange for the payments to be pro rated with the professional in
your new area.
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Transfer insurance records. Verify that all
your policies provide adequate coverage for your new location.
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Arrange for the transfer of valuables. Check
contents of your safe-deposit box. DO NOT SHIP any valuables (such
as jewelry, insurance policies, legal documents, currency, stamp and
coin collections) with the moving company. Either carry them with
you or send by insured or certified mail.
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DO NOT SHIP combustible and flammable items.
These include oil-base paints, bleach, cleaning and lighting fluids,
matches and ammunition. All aerosol cans (including hair sprays, shaving
creams, deodorants, household cleaners, insecticides, tarnish removers
and car cleaners) should be eliminated from the shipment. Use up or
discard these items.
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One Week Before The Move |
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Keep a detailed record and receipts of your
moving expenses for income-tax purposes. This includes transportation,
lodging, meals, etc.
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Drain gas and oil from lawn mowers, chain saws,
snow blowers, etc. Gas grills and kerosene heaters must be empty.
Cars and motorcycles should have only 1/4 tank of gas.
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Remove snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways
and steps.
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Check to make sure you didn't leave anything
at the dry cleaners.
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Put linens and pillows in the dresser drawers
to have handy for making up your beds the first night in your new
home.
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Place draperies lengthwise on hangers and hang
in a closet. The movers will place them in wardrobe cartons.
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Prepare a "ready box" for last-on
and first-off the van. This might include essentials from your kitchen
and bathroom. You may wish to include a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers
and nails.
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Prepare a "ready box" with all necessary
medications and first aid supplies.
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Prepare your children for the move and trip
by providing them with a "ready box" with their own special
treasures. Include toys and games and snacks for your trip.
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Defrost
and clean your refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours in advance
of the move.
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Keep
your telephone connected through your moving day.
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Day
Before The Move |
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The
packing crew usually arrives the day before the van is loaded. Be
sure someone is on site to supervise the packing.
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Pack
any valuables you intend to take with you.
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Make
sure fragile items receive special attention. Label each carton with
the contents and location in the new home.
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Gather
keys to the house and arrange to leave them with the new owners, your
real estate agent, landlord or a trusted neighbor.
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Notify
police if your home will be unoccupied after you leave.
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Notify
a close friend or relative of your itinerary in case of emergency.
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Day
Of Move-Out |
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Check
the mover's inventory to be sure that you agree with the mover's judgment
on the condition of your household goods. Take photographs if there
is a dispute.
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Make
sure you get a copy of the inventory.
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Load
items you are taking with you on the trip, including luggage.
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Search
every room before the van leaves.
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Check
the Bill of Lading for completeness before you sign it. Retain a copy
for your records.
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Record
the van driver's name and give him contact numbers at the destination.
Confirm directions to the new residence with your driver.
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Turn
off the water heater. Set the thermostat at 55 degrees.
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Day Of Move-In |
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Get to your new home before the movers. There
could be a waiting charge if you are late.
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Contact utility companies to verify start dates.
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Check appliances, furnace, and hot-water heater.
Contact a repair service if something is not working.
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Check the condition of each carton and household
item as it is unloaded. List all missing or damaged items on the inventory
form.
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Since you will probably do some unpacking after
the movers leave, make a note on the inventory form "subject
to inspection for loss or concealed damage".
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Ask mail carrier if he or she is holding any
mail for your arrival.
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After You're Settled |
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Obtain necessary licenses: driver's, dog, etc.
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Register car at new address (usually there is
a penalty if you wait too long).
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Contact newspapers, dairy, etc., for home delivery.
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Register to vote. |
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Copyright © 1999 Cendan |
