Moving Day

Loading Your Belongings

• Be on hand when the movers arrive. Otherwise, it is important to let the moving company 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 inspection and tagging of 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:

• Is the water shut off?
• Is the gas shut off?
• Is the air-conditioning shut off?
• Are light switches turned off?
• Have all utilities been arranged for disconnection?
• Are 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 moving company, 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 moving company 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.
• During 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

• 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.