MovingTipsThe thoughtofpreparing for ‘MovingDay’ can cause feelingsof anxiety anddread–wheredoesonebegin?Nomatterwhatsizeofhomeyouaremovingfrom,orwhetheryouarehiringaMovingCompanyorhavingyourFamily/Friendshelpoutthekeyistodevelopaplan.Therewillalwaysbe littleblipshereandthere,but incorporatingthefollowing ideas/suggestions intoyourplan canhelpmakeyourmoveas seamless aspossible.
The-irstthingstodo...
• It is best to call amover as far in advance as possible - once you know yourmovingdate.LastminutecallsmaymeanspendingextramoneyornotJindingamoveratall.
• If you are not hiring a moving company recruit Family/Friends as early aspossible, and ask them to ‘save the date’ so you are not left on your own onmovingdate.Ifyouwillberentingamovingtruckortrailerforyourmovebookthisasfarinadvanceasyoucan.
• Ifyouaremovingintooroutofanapartmentreservetheelevatorforthedayof yourmove. If youaremoving in/outof ahousearrange for streetparking.WinterMoves:ensurethedrivewayandsidewalksareclearofsnowandice.
• Ensureyouhave the right supplies forpacking:movingboxes/crates, packingtape,packingpaper,bubblewrapandablacksharpieforlabelingboxes(theseare just some basic supplies to get you started, moving companies offer avarietyofpackingproductsdependingonwhatyourneedsare.)
.Packingthingsup!
• If you are packing yourself, startwell in advance ofmoving day. Discard anyunwanteditems.
• Dependingonifyouaremovinginthewinterorthesummer,keepinmindtheweatherandhowhotorcoldtemperaturescanaffecttheitemsyouarepacking(will some items freeze if temperatures turn cold or will they melt iftemperaturesarehot.)
• Keepyourvaluablessuchasjewelry,moneyorimportantdocuments(likeyourpassport),withyou,don’tpacktheminabox.
• If you are packing an overnight bag (luggage) keep it separate from otherpackeditemssothatitdoesn’taccidentallygetloadedonamovingtruck.
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MovingTips(cont)
Leave clothing and bedding in dresser drawers (solidwood dressers only.) Removebreakables and pack these separately. Do not overload the drawers. It is easier formovingcompaniestoloadthemovingtruckifyouleaveyourfurnitureinitsoriginalrooms.
• Removepictures,Jixturesandphotosfromthewallsbeforethemoversarrive.
• Becarefulnottoover-packacarton/box.Heavyitemssuchashardcoverbooksarebestpackedinsmallercartons.
• Markthesidesandtopofboxes/cartonswithasummaryofcontentsaswellastheroomtheboxbelongsin.
• Try touseupasmuch frozen food (ifyouhavea freezer)asyoucanprior tomovingday.Itisbesttodefrostyourfreezerbeforemovingday.Ifyouhavetopackanyfrozenfoodpackitinboxes,laundrybasketsorclearplasticbags.Butrememberyouhavealimitedamountoftimetomovetheseitemsbeforetheydefrost.
• Ifyouhavesmallchildrenconsiderhiringababysitterfortheday.
• Ifworkingwithamovingcompanywalkthroughyourhouseorapartmentwiththemoverpointingout special-care items. Clearly set aside any itemsyoudonotwant themovers to handle. Sometimes, it is best to place these items intheirownroom/closetandlabelthemwitha“DONOTSHIP”note.
• Tryandbeat thenewhomebeforethemoversstartunloading.Knowwhereyouwantyourbelongingsplaced.Withanew-buildhomeyourbuildermaybeabletoprovideyouwithalinedrawingofyourhome.Thiswillallowyoutogetan idea of where youmaywantmajor pieces of furniture placed before themoveday.
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MovingTips(cont)SpecializedItems
• Cannedgoodsandliquids:packuprightwithnomorethan24-30cansperbox.Wrapglasscontainersanddoublebaganycontainersof liquidsthatyouneedthemoverstotake(decorativecookingoilbottlesetc.)Weighthevalueofwhatyouaretakingtothecost/riskofmoving–itmaymakemoresensetodonateunopeneditemstothefoodbankanddiscardopeneditems.
• Plants: you may not want the movers transporting your plants. If movingyourselfplantsmaytransportbestinaseparatevehicle.
• Glassware and China: clearlymark the boxes ‘FRAGILE’.Wrap glassware andchinawithtissueorclearnewsprint.Packplates,plattersandsaucersonedges,NOTFLAT,andlayerwithpaddingorcrushedpackingpaper,betweenandalongthetopandbottomofthebox.
• Clocks:removeorsecurependulumsinlargeclocks.Youmaywantanexperttopreparegrandfatherclocksbeforemovingthem. Clothes:Packclothesincleancartons/boxesoruseawardrobebox.
• DrapesandCurtains: If takinganyclothwindowcoveringsremovethemfromthe curtain rods. Fold and pack in cartons or dresser drawers. Wardrobecartonsaregoodforthese,aswell,especiallyonhighendwindowcoverings.
• Lamps: pack with bedding or wrap separately and place upright in linedcartons.Wrapshadesintissueratherthannewspaper.Placeuprightinalinedcarton.
• Mirrors,PaintingsandPictures:Tellyourmoveraboutspecial-careitems.Wrapsmall mirrors, pictures, paintings and frames and place UPRIGHT at edge ofcartons. Large items should also be left upright in larger, sturdier containers.Place tapediagonally acrossmirrors for protection.Donot usenewspaper toprotectpaintings.
• ComputersandVideoEquipment:packinoriginalboxesifpossible.Otherwise,usestrongcartonsandprotectivepads.Wrapcordsseparatelyandlabel.
• MicrowaveOvens: If themicrowave isnot stayingwith thehomeremoveandwrap all loose articles from inside the oven. Tape the door shut with an ‘X’patternoverthedoorandglass.Usetheoriginalmanufacturer’sboxifpossible.
• Records,CDsandStereos:CDsandrecordsshouldbeplaceduprightincartons.Wrapthestereoinanoldblanketandplaceinacarton.
• Silverware:Ifyouhaveasilverchestputasmalltowelineachsectiontokeepallthepiecesintheirplace.
• SmallAppliancesandUtensils:wrapandplacesmallappliancesandutensilsincartons. Place heavier items on the bottom. Have an authorized serviceproviderprepareallthelargeappliancesiftheyarenotstayingwiththehome.
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MovingTips(cont)
GoodsThatAMovingCompanyCANNOTTransport
Thelawprohibitshouseholdgoodscarriersfromtransportingthefollowinggoods:
• EXPLOSIVES:Ammunitionincludingbullets,shotgunshells,etc.railroadorroadJlares,Jireworks,detonators,andblastingcaps.
• GASES: Any gases under pressure or liqueJied, propane or propane tanks,quick start, oxygen, acetylene,helium,householdor industrial fuel, aerosolcans (hair spray, anti-perspirant, paint, etc.) butane lighters. OXIDIZERS:Bleach,disinfectants,organicperoxidesand fertilizers,pool chemicals,hairbleach,chlorineinanyform.
• FLAMMABLESOLIDS:Matches,fueltablets,BBQstarter,pellets,hayorstraw,woodchips.
• FLAMMABLELIQUIDS:Gas,CleaningJluid,lighterJluid,paint,paintthinner,BBQstarter,glues,resins,kerosene,naphtha,acetone,alcohol,lampoil.
• CORROSIVES:Ovencleaner,toiletcleaner,liquidplumber,drainscleaner,lye,acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, and muriatic), car, boat or motorcyclebatteries.
• POISONS: Pesticides, herbicides, cygon, fumigants, wood preservatives,creosote,photographicchemicals.
• ITEMSSUBJECTTOSPONTANEOUSCOMBUSTIONS:Oilrags,charcoal.
MovingTips(cont)
CleaningandFinishingTouchesattheHomeYouHaveSoldThehomeshouldbe in thesameconditionaswhentheBuyerssaw/bought it.TheBuyersand theirRealtorwill likelydoawalk-throughprior topossessionand if they Jind damage or itemsmissing that were to remain as part of thepurchasecontracttheremaybeaholdbackofproceedsfromthesale.
Herearethingstodobeforepossessionday:Yourhome shouldbeCLEAN– rugs cleaned, Jloorsmopped, cupboardswipedout, bathrooms cleaned, appliances cleaned inside andout, all items includingunwanted items/garbage should be removed from the house, garage, sheds,storage,property,etc.
Ensure items that are part of the purchase contract are left in the home (ie.microwave, washer/dryer, TV wall mounts, window coverings, other specialitems etc.) Other items to leave behind are: appliancemanuals,mailbox keys,sparekeys,alarmcodes,garagedoorremotes–werecommendleavingtheseinakitchendrawer.RefertothetermsinyourPurchaseContract.Cut the lawn, clean up any pet waste in the yard and repair any damage that may have occurred as a result of moving.
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