PACKING TIPS FOR MOVING

SOME ITEMS CANNOT BE PACKED


  • HAZARDOUS ITEMS
  • Flammables
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Paint or paint thinner
  • Solvents
  • Bleaches
  • Firearms
  • Ammunition
  • Aerosol cans
  • Propane tanks
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Alcohol
  • Corrosives
  • Nail Polish Remover
  • Wood Stain
  • PERISHABLES
  • Food – Perishable foods are any food products that require climate control to preserve the food or liquid.
  • Wine collections.
  • Plants – Real or Fake: Generally, plants cannot be loaded into the moving van. Outdoor plants are not allowed.
  • HIGH-VALUE ITEMS
  • Cash, coin collections, change, savings bonds, stock certificates, jewelry, precious stones or metals
  • Furs
  • Stamp collections
  • Laptops, iPods, MP3 players, CD players, camcorders, expensive cameras
  • Valuable collections Important personal documents

PLAN YOUR MOVE

8-10 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE


  • By this time, your home is well into the selling process, and now is the time to start talking with movers and obtaining estimates.
  • This is an excellent time to have a garage sale or donate items that you don't want to move. By getting rid of things that you don't use anymore, you will save costs on your move.
  • Make a list of everyone you need to notify that you are moving. This list should include friends, family, utility companies, schools, business associates, and insurance agents.
  • Obtain change-of-address cards from the post office. You can pick them up at your local branch for free, or you can download them from the USPS website at www.usps.com.

PLAN YOUR MOVE

4-8 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE


  • Contact your children's schools and make arrangements to transfer records.
  • Contact your family doctors and make arrangements to obtain copies of your medical records.
  • Find out what you will need to obtain a new driver's license in your new state.
  • Start a file to keep handy.
  • Contact your current or new insurance agent to discuss your auto and homeowner's insurance needs. Ask them about the protection of your belongings while in the hands of a mover (many insurance companies provide this coverage without additional cost)
  • If your current bank does not have a branch in your new city, now is a good time to choose a new bank. Many banks now allow you to open an account online. If this is not an option, call your new bank of choice to learn what options they have available.

PLAN YOUR MOVE

3-4 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE


  • Decide on your mover and set move dates as early as possible.
  • Decide if you will do any packing and, if so, begin the packing process. Pay special attention to the list of items that cannot be packed.
  • Gather all personal records, including home purchase documents, tax returns, insurance papers, medical records, etc. Keep these items with you and do not let them be loaded onto the moving van.
  • Contact your utility companies, cable, or satellite providers and schedule a service disconnect for the day after you move out. It is important to keep your utilities on for the move day.
  • Contact your new utility companies to schedule a connection for one day before you move in. Be sure to call them during this time frame to ensure that your deposits, if required, are credited and that your services will be turned on.

PLAN YOUR MOVE

2 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE


  • Clean your home and clear out your basement, attic, and storage areas.
  • Drain oil and gas from mowers, snowblowers, ATVs, and other power devices that contain these fluids. Dispose of flammables, aerosols, paints, cleaners, etc.
  • Plan on using all of your perishable food in your refrigerator and freezer.
  • Cancel deliveries to your home, such as newspapers, magazines, and any other regularly scheduled home deliveries.

PLAN YOUR MOVE

1 WEEK BEFORE YOU MOVE


  • Confirm any travel arrangements and make arrangements to put Fido in a kennel or with a friend for the moving day.
  • Call your mover and confirm your move dates. Provide any contact numbers or addresses to your mover.
  • Plan what day you will empty and clean out your refrigerator and freezer, clean your stove, and gather only those items you will need for the last week. Have everything else cleaned and ready to move.

PLAN YOUR MOVE

MOVING DAY


Finally, your moving day is here. Everything is packed and ready for loading. It is your responsibility to be present on loading and delivery day. If you cannot be there, designate someone to be present and sign your moving documents. The driver will prepare an inventory of items to be moved. Each item will have an inventory sticker and be numbered so that it corresponds to the inventory. Each item is noted for its condition on the inventory. Both you and the driver will sign and date the inventory. Once the van is loaded, you will be asked to sign the bill of lading, confirm the information on the bill of lading is accurate, and remember to choose your valuation coverage. Do a final walkthrough with your driver to ensure everything was loaded (don't forget to check your dishwasher!).

On delivery day, please make certain that you are present and that you have your payment ready, as payment is required upon delivery. Unless previous arrangements were made with your mover, you will be required to pay for your move in via check or credit card (MasterCard and Visa only). Check off the items on the inventory as the crew unloads them. If there is any new damage, be sure to note it on the inventory. After unloading, you will be asked to sign the bill of lading and the inventory. Your signature indicates that you have received your belongings in the same condition (unless noted) as when they were first loaded for transportation.

MOVING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

SOME ITEMS CANNOT BE PACKED


TVs/PCs/audio/video equipment: Many TVs are now flat-screen plasma or LCD HDTVs. These televisions require special preparation for relocation. Most often, your mover will make arrangements on your behalf to have the TVs crated or placed into TV armor containers. This service is usually performed by a third-party service company whose charges will show on your relocation bill. The third-party service technicians specialize in this area of relocation. If you decide that you do not want to incur the additional cost for properly preparing your TVs and various electronics for your relocation, your mover will not accept responsibility if there is any damage to the TVs and other electrical equipment, either visual or mechanical.

It is your responsibility to disconnect all audio/video equipment prior to the arrival of the packing crew and/or third-party specialists. If you prefer that the specialist perform the disconnection, there is an extra charge for this service. Your mover will not reconnect these items in your new home. It is your responsibility to reconnect these items or ask your mover to make arrangements with the third-party company. Be mindful of the "cold weather" warning when you reconnect your audio/video equipment.

Note: Condensation caused by extreme temperature changes can wreak havoc on the high-tech circuitry of today's electronics. PCs, VCRs, Blu-ray players, TVs, stereos, etc., must acclimate to room temperature for at least 24 hours prior to the equipment being connected to AC power.

DOT#: 3308205
MC#: MC1050397

CONTACT INFO


ADDRESS: 2058 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., Indianapolis, IN 46202

EMAIL: info@stuartsmovingandstorage.com
PHONE: 317-924-0505
FAX: 317-924-3614

BUSINESS HOURS: MON-FRI | 8AM-4PM | CLOSED SAT & SUN (AND ALL MAJOR HOLIDAYS)