Moving Overview
Checklist...
One Month Before Moving
•
Fill out change of address
order form for post office.
•
Fill out an IRS change of
address form.
•
Make arrangements with
moving company or reserve a rental truck.
•
Make travel arrangements,
if necessary, with airlines, buses, car rental agencies and
hotels.
•
Transfer memberships in
churches, clubs and civic organizations.
•
Obtain medical and dental
records, x-rays and prescription histories. Ask doctor and
dentist for referrals and transfer prescriptions.
•
Set up a checking account
in your new city.
•
Check into the laws and
requirements of your new city regarding home-based
businesses, professional tests, business licenses and any
special laws that might be applicable to you.
•
Take inventory of your
belongings before they're packed, in the event you need to
file an insurance claim later. If possible, take pictures or
video tape your belongings. Record serial numbers of
electronic equipment.
•
Make arrangements for
transporting pets.
•
Start using up food items,
so that there is less left to pack and possibly spoil.
One To Two Weeks Before Moving
•
Switch utility services to
new address. Inform electric, disposal, water, newspaper,
magazine subscription, telephone and cable companies of your
move.
•
Arrange for help on moving
day.
•
Confirm travel
reservations.
•
Reserve elevator if moving
from an apartment.
•
Have appliances serviced
for moving.
•
Clean rugs and clothing
and have them wrapped for moving.
•
Plan ahead for special
needs of infants.
•
Close bank accounts and
have your funds wired to your new bank. Before closing, be
sure there are no outstanding checks or automatic payments
that haven't been processed.
•
Collect valuables from
safe-deposit box. Make copies of any important documents
before mailing or hand carry them to your new address.
•
Check with your insurance
agent to ensure you'll be covered through your homeowner's
or renter's policy during the move.
•
Defrost freezer and
refrigerator. Place deodorizer inside to control odors.
•
Give a close friend or
relative your travel route and schedule so you may be
reached if needed.
On Moving Day
•
Double check closets,
drawers, shelves, attic and garage to be sure they are
empty.
•
Carry important documents,
currency and jewelry yourself, or use registered mail.
•
Carry travelers checks for
quick, available funds.
After Arriving At New Home
•
Renew your driver's
license, auto registration and tags.
•
Shop around for new
insurance policies, especially auto coverage.
•
Revise your will and other
legal papers to avoid longer probate and higher legal fees.
•
Locate the hospitals,
police stations, veterinarian and fire stations near your
home.
Change of Address Checklist...
Use this form to make sure all your friends, family and
business associates have your new address. Also use it to
note the phone numbers of your new utility companies,
insurance agents and other organizations in your new
location.
Packing Tips...
Keep the following supplies handy for packing:
•
Boxes, marking pen, bubble
wrap, newspaper and tissue Tape and scissors Tape
measure
•
Use strong boxes and
containers that can be secured tightly. Purchase special
boxes for dishes, wardrobe and other special items.
Pack audio-video equipment in their original boxes. Label
cables and tighten transit screws. If removing screws, tape
them to the objects they are removed from.
•
Avoid loading more than 50
pounds into one box.
•
Label each box and
indicate the following: (a) Which room it should go in (b)
Whether it is
fragile (c) If it should be loaded last so it will be
unloaded first.
•
Cushion contents with
packing material such as bubble wrap, newspaper or tissue.
Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile
items.
•
Pack books tightly on end
in small boxes. If musty smelling, sprinkle talcum powder
between the pages and wrap the book before packing. Leave
stored for a couple of months to eliminate the smell.
•
Have rugs and draperies
cleaned before moving and leave them in wrappings for the
move.
•
Pack medicines in a leak
proof container.
•
Carry all valuables with
you.
•
Check with your local U.S.
Department of Agriculture for regulations regarding moving
plants from one state to another. Many states have
restrictions on certain plants to prevent importing bugs or
pests that can destroy valuable cash crops.
Moving House Plants...
A Couple Of Weeks Before You Move
Prune plants to facilitate packing. Consult a florist or a
plant book for instructions.
A Week Before Your Move
Place your plants in a black plastic bag, along with a
bug/pest strip, conventional flea collar or bug powder.
Close the bag and place in a cool area overnight to kill any
pests on the plant or in the soil.
The Day Before Your Move
Place the plants in cardboard containers. Hold them in place
with dampened newspaper or packing paper. Use paper to
cushion the leaves and place a final layer of wet paper on
top to keep them moist. If you must leave your plants
behind, then take cuttings. Put them in a plastic bag with
wet paper towels around them.
On The Day Of Your Move
Set the boxes aside and mark "DO NOT LOAD" so they won't be
taken on the moving van. Close the boxes and punch air holes
in the top before loading into your car.
When Moving
Park your car in a shaded area in the summer and a sunny
spot in the winter.
Upon Arrival
Unpack the plants as soon as possible after arrival. Remove
plants through the bottom of the box to avoid breaking the
stems. Do not expose the plants to much sunlight at first.
Let them get gradually accustomed to more light.
Moving Garden Plants...
•
Research climate and soils
of new home.
•
Seeds - gather and store
in an airtight container.
•
Bulbs - dig up during
their natural dormant season. Pack in a mixture of loose dry
peat moss and vermiculite to provide a lightweight and
protective transport medium.
•
Garden tools - sharpen
blades of clippers, lawn mowers and shears and apply a thin
coating of household or motor oil to protect the paint and
metal parts.
•
Clean and disinfect rakes,
hoes and sprinklers. Household bleach can be used to
disinfect a variety of items.
•
Plants - some plants can
be dug up and transplanted.
Moving Pets...
Following are tips for moving your pets to their new home.
Cats and Dogs
Cats and dogs can be taken in your car. If so, remember to
take along the following items:
•
Food
•
Water
•
A leash for letting your
pet out of the car
•
Newspaper or sheets to
keep your car clean
Animals can get car-sick and will require frequent stops
along the way. Also, check ahead to see if the hotel where
you are staying allows pets. Depending on the animal's
temperament and size, it might be better to have it shipped
by air. Be sure to check if your destination has any local
requirements or restrictions on animals.
To have your pet shipped by air, make sure someone can meet
your pet at the destination airport and take care of it
until you arrive. A kennel can do this for you and keep your
pet until you have completed your move, if necessary.
If you are flying to your new destination, your cat or dog
can ride in the baggage compartment. You may need the
following items:
•
Health certificate. Obtain
this from your veterinarian.
•
Pet container. The airline
might have a special container available or you can use your
own as long as it complies with airline regulations.
•
Tranquilizers. Your vet
can provide tranquilizers to be given to your pet
immediately before going to the airport.
•
Your scent. Your pet can
be comforted by having a piece of cloth with your scent on
it.
Smaller Animals
Hamsters, birds and other small animals can easily be
transported in your car. To help keep the animals calm and
quiet, cover cages with a cloth. Also, make sure they have
food and water available.
Fish
It can be very impractical and risky to move fish. Check
with your local pet store for recommendations on moving your
specific type of fish.
About Moving Companies...
Consumer complaints against moving companies have been
rising. Following are some tips that can help your move go
smoothly.
•
Get a binding estimate
from the moving company. Make sure the amount is written in
the contract.
•
Inquire about their
on-time record and other complaints with the local Better
Business Bureau or consumer complaints department.
•
Movers are limited by law
regarding what they can give you for lost or damaged goods.
To cover potential damage, check existing homeowner's or
renter's policy.
•
Ask about expected
gratuities and write into contract.
•
Have the contract include
a guarantee of how many hours the job will take, allowing an
overrun of no more than 10%.
•
Be sure all charges are
listed on contract.
•
Inform the moving company
of how many stairs are at your new home.
•
Watch loading and
unloading and examine all items carefully before signing a
receipt.
•
Document an inventory of
your belongings before you pack.
Protecting The Environment...
Following are some general suggestions to help you protect
the environment before, during and after your move:
Yard
•
Sweep instead of hosing
down driveways.
•
Use sand or kitty litter
instead of salt on icy sidewalks.
•
Minimize paved surfaces on
property and retain as much vegetation and rural wetlands as
possible.
•
Use water-based products
rather than solvent-based.
•
Reduce or eliminate the
use of pesticides - use mulch and organic fertilizers
instead.
•
Mow lawn frequently to
increase grass shoot density.
Home
•
Rinse disposable diapers
before throwing them away.
•
Turn off the water while
brushing teeth.
•
Recycle cardboard boxes.
•
Use phosphate-free laundry
detergent.
•
Recycle whenever possible.
Automobile & Traveling
•
Keep your car tuned.
•
Recycle and dispose of oil
safely.
•
Wash your car on grass.
•
Don't litter.
Garbage
•
Non-hazardous and
non-recyclable.
•
Call the Solid Waste
Division in your county for disposal instructions and
transfer stations in your area.
Recyclable Material
•
Aluminum cans, papers,
appliances.
•
Call the Solid Waste
Division/Recycling in your county for instructions.
Hazardous Wastes
•
Paints, oil, pesticides,
dyes, coolants.
Call the Solid Waste Division/Hazardous Wastes in your
county for instructions. |
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Margaret Picon-Bara |
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| Proud Member of: |
•
Nat. Association of Realtors
•
Realtors Association of Greater
Fort Lauderdale
•
National Notary Association
•
Licensed Mortgage Broker |
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