Make your Moving Process Simple with this Easy Calendar

The moving process is a crazy time for everyone. Be that as it may, with a touch of help and advice from A-1 Freeman Moving Group, it doesn’t have to be. We’ve formulated a sweeping blueprint that will guide you to manage your move and make it a walk in the park. It may surprise you to find out that the entire moving process should start as early as two whole months before you’re ready to move!

Six to Eight Weeks Prior to Moving Day

Working With the Mover:

Get a hold of your A-1 Freeman Moving Group agent.
Set a day for the agent to look over your residence and prepare an estimate.
If your company is covering your move, take a look at their moving policy to determine the services the mover will be authorized to take on.
Will you be packing up all your items -- or would you like to let our packers handle it? Your agent will be happy to discuss packing services with you.
Show the agent all of the stuff that needs to be moved. Any items that are added later to the shipment will increase the price, even if you have been given a binding estimate.
Sign the Estimate/Order for Service after you've read and understand each section. Your agent will answer any questions you have.
Keep the phone number and name of your salesperson or move coordinator nearby.

Four to Six Weeks Prior to Moving Day

Places to Notify:

Notify the post office that you are moving. This can be done easily by using a Change of Address form found on the United States Postal Service Web site. Produce a checklist of friends, relatives, business firms and others who should be briefed of your move. The list below should be useful:

Utilities Personal Accounts

Electric Pharmacy
Gas Dry Cleaner
Water Lawn Service
Telephone Bank/Finance Companies
Sewer District Credit Card Companies
Trash Laundry Service
Cable/Satellite Auto Finance Company
Fuel (Oil/Propane) Health Club
Sewer District

Professional Services Publications

Doctor(s) Newspapers
Dentist Magazines
Accountant Newsletters
Lawyer Professional Journals
Broker Insurance Agency

Government Offices

Department of Motor Vehicles
Social Security Administration
State/Federal Tax Bureaus
City/County Tax Assessor
Veterans Administration

Miscellaneous:

Have a "garage sale" or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items. Donate undesired clothing or other items to local charities. Get a receipt from the charity so you can inquire about getting a tax write off next year. Start using supplies of canned goods, frozen foods and other cleaning items. Only buy things that you know will be used up before you move.

Two to Three Weeks Before Moving Day

Working With the Mover:

Notify your agent if if you have more or less items from your planned move or if your schedule has been bumped up or pushed back. Make sure that your agent has your destination address and phone numbers where they can get a hold of you.

Confirm any detours needed to pick up or deliver items to another destination other than the starting pickup or delivery points.

If you're having your car transported for you, prepare to drive it to a suitable loading site. Make sure that you have a plan in place to pick up your car when you arrive at your destination.

Preparing the Family:

Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories. Hold a going-away part for your kids so they can get all of their friends together one last time.

Don't forget to make some time for yourself...an open house or an informal dinner or barbecue. Make it simple and not too extravagant. Arrange for travel plans for the family. Reserve hotel rooms and airline tickets as needed.

If you're going to be driving to your new home, be sure that your car has a quick trip to the mechanic for a thorough tune-up.

Preparing Household Items:

Federal law requires that you throw away flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Siphon off gas from your power mower and other machinery. Get rid of partially used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach, or any other substances that may be flammable or combustible or those kept in containers that might leak. Please read the complete list of non-allowables.

Discard propane tanks from barbecue grills.

Make a meeting with a service technician to prepare your major appliances for transportation — or have your agent send someone out who is authorized to carry out this job.

Set a date for having utilities disconnected. If possible, arrange to keep utilities in service through moving day.

Have rugs and draperies professionally cleaned. Don't unwrap them when they are returned from the cleaners. Obtain a written evaluation of antique items to certify value. While cleaning, stay away from waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) prior to moving because some products could soften the wood, making it vulnerable to accidental imprints from furniture pads.

Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture could lead to mold if furniture needs to be put in storage

One to Two Weeks Before Moving Day

Pets and Plants

Decide what to do with house plants. A-1 Freeman Moving Group cannot safely transport your plants because they may suffer from lack of water and light as well as probable temperature changes while in the van.

Alternatives:

Leave your plants with family, friends, or neighbors and find new ones at your new location.

Give away your plants to a hospital or other institution. Include plants in a garage sale.

A handful of states allow the admission of all house plants; others admit them in accordance with specific rules and regulations.

Be sure to have your pets checked out by the vet. Numerous states necessitate health certificates and rabies inoculations. See that identification and rabies tags are soundly hooked to your pet's collar.

Arrange for transportation of pets. Secure them in the car or send via air.

Other Important Details:

Assemble all items that are being cleaned, stored or repaired (clothing, furs, shoes, watches, etc.). Retrieve all the items from your locker at the club, bowling alley or gym.

Return library books and stuff you might have borrowed from friends or neighbors, and collect things you may have loaned.

Day Before Moving Day

Working With the Packers

Point out to the packers all notably-fragile items requiring specific attention. Mark appropriately any things you don't want packed or moved, as well as boxes you need first when the van arrives at destination.

If you are doing your own packing, make sure everything is ready to go before moving day. Upon arrival, the van operator will inspect your boxes to make sure they have been suitably packed. Collect possessions you positively want packed together, such as children's toys, and place in separate groups.

Unplug all electronic appliances 24 hours prior to your move, except plasma TVs, in order to make sure they're cooled off on moving day. This encompasses home computers, stereos, and audio/video equipment.

Last Minute Details:

Check closets, cabinets, and storage lockers for any articles overlooked.

Be on the scene when the service representative arrives to ready your appliances for shipment. It is your responsibility to see that all mechanical and electrical equipment is correctly serviced for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving van at your expense. If you have failed to have an article serviced, the van operator may load and haul it but will mark the inventory sheet "Not Serviced."

Moving Day

Working With the Mover:

It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so wait on the premises until loading is complete. After wrapping up a final tour of the house, check and sign the inventory. Get your copy from the van operator and keep it.

Agree to and sign the Bill of Lading/Freight Bill. It states the terms and conditions under which your goods are moved and is also your receipt for the shipment. Be sure to complete and sign the asserted valuation statement.

Complete and sign the High-Value Inventory form, whether or not possessions of extraordinary value are included in the shipment. You also need to sign and date the "Extraordinary (Unusual) Value Article Declaration" box on the Bill of Lading, if relevant to your shipment.

Ensure that the van operator has the exact destination address. Make sure to let the van operator know how you can be contacted, including phone numbers, pending the arrival of your household goods.

Last-Minute Details:

Leave your phone connected throughout moving day. After the van leaves and you finish last-minute calls, be sure to pack the phone in one of your suitcases.

Take a Last Look Around:

Water shut off?
Furnace and air conditioner shut off?
Light switches turned off?
All utilities arranged for disconnection?
Windows shut and locked?
Old house keys surrendered?
Have you left anything?

Delivery Day

Working With the Mover:

Make sure that you're present when the delivery crew arrive. If you aren't going to be able to make it, be sure you authorize an adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay the charges for you.

On the day of delivery, the van operator will attempt to reach you by phone and/or will show up at the residence if they are unable to reach you. If you are unable to accept delivery of your shipment within the free waiting time (i.e., two hours) after notification of arrival at destination, you may request waiting time until delivery can be made.

Review your household goods as they are unloaded. If there is a change in the condition of the property that wasn't noted on the inventory at the time of loading or if any items are missing, note inconsistencies on the van operator's copy of the inventory sheet. When you sign the inventory sheet, you are recognizing receipt of all items listed. Personally report any loss or damage to your salesperson or move coordinator.

When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including the laying of rugs and setting up any beds disassembled at origin. However, mattresses will not be unpacked, and appliances and/or fixtures will NOT be installed. At your request and at an additional charge, your salesperson or move coordinator can arrange for this service. The mover is not obligated to rearrange your furniture.

Place a floor plan of your new home by the entrance, which the movers can use to determine where each piece of furniture should go.

Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns. To prevent possible damage, television sets, other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery, allowing them time to adjust to room temperature.

One Week After Move

Settling In:

Visit your new post office to collect any mail being held and ask for delivery to start.

Check state (and local) requirements for auto registration and a driver's license.

You may want to select an attorney to discuss laws that pertain 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, etc. Most laws affect a family as soon as residence in the new state and city is established.

Now that you know everything that you should be aware of during the moving process, let us provide you with the assistance you need. Get a quote today, and we’ll get you started on the path to a smooth, easy move with as few problems as obtainable. Don't do all the heavy lifting yourself. Let us help.