• Moving Overview Checklist
• Packing Tips
• Moving House Plants
• Moving Garden Plants
• Moving Pets
• About Moving Companies
• Protecting the Environment

• Take an objective look at what you own, and decide what must go and what can be left behind. Books you've read and will never read again? Records you haven't listened to since college? The pan with a broken handle or the children's long- neglected games? Extra weight costs more money.
• If you have a lot of things worth selling, you may want to organize a garage sale.
• Start a central file for all of the details on your move. It's a good idea to buy a brightly colored organizer folder with pockets - you'll be less likely to misplace it. Make sure to collect receipts for moving-related expenses. Depending on your reason for moving, you may be entitled to a tax deduction.
• Create a floor plan of your new home, and begin thinking about where you'll want to place furniture. Advance planning eases the stress of making major decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home. Mark and label specific pieces of furniture on your diagram, and put it in your moving folder.

• Notify the post office, magazines, credit card companies and friends and family of your change of address. The U. S. Postal Service offers a kit to make this process easier. Change of Address Check List.
• Contact utilities (gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV) to schedule disconnection of services on the day following your move. You'll want to have utilities on while you're still in the house. Call the utilities in your new town to arrange for service to start the day before your move so that you have service when you arrive at your new home. And don't forget to arrange for an expert, if necessary, to install fixtures upon their arrival at your new home.
• Complete any repair work on your old home, and arrange for any critical services needed at your new home.
• If packing yourself, start packing seldom-used articles like fancy dishes and glasses, specialty cookware, nonessential clothing, curios, art, photos, and decorative items.
• As you pack, remember to keep each box light enough to be handled by any of the members of your family - not just the strongest person. Heavier items go in smaller boxes, lighter items in larger boxes.
• If you are planning a garage sale, pick a date at least a week before the move, and advertise it locally. Think about teaming up with neighbors who want to sell some of their old belongings, and plan a neighborhood "super sale."

• Take inventory of your everyday household goods, such as radios, pots and pans and small appliances. Decide which items you will discard or put in storage.
• Self-packers: start your serious packing. Label the contents of all boxes, and pack carefully.
• As best you can, box essential items together, and write "Open First/Load Last" on these boxes. When you move into your new home, you'll be able to easily identify these boxes and get to important items like pots, dishes, silverware, alarm clocks, bedding, pillows, towels, cherished toys and essential items for babies or children.
• Make sure you have your driver's license, auto registration and insurance records.
• Contact your doctors, dentist and veterinarian to receive copies of medical records.
• Pack phone books from your old town to make staying in touch with old friends easier.
• Make personal travel arrangements (flights, hotel, rental cars) for your trip.
• Plan your food purchases to have as little as possible in the freezer or refrigerator by the time you move. Use up all frozen items, and buy only what you'll eat in the next three weeks, because you can't ship them.
• Arrange to clean your new home, or plan to clean it yourself as close to move-in as possible. Since the home will probably be unoccupied by this time, make sure the cleaning is thorough and covers all those nooks and crannies usually blocked by furniture or appliances.
• Contact your children's schools, and arrange for records to be forwarded to your new school district.
• Make new bank safety deposit box arrangements in your new hometown. Make arrangements to safely transfer items from your old safe deposit box to your new one.
• Hold a garage sale now.

• Check with your insurance company to cancel current coverage or transfer coverage to your new home.
• Make arrangements for transporting your pets and any house plants, because movers can't take them in the van.
• Meet with your bank to change account status.
• Transfer all current prescriptions to a drug store in your new town.
• Cancel any delivery services such as newspapers. Consider starting a subscription to the newspaper in your new town to introduce you to local news happenings.
• Have your automobile serviced if you're traveling by car.
• Be sure to empty secret hiding places to remove valuables and spare house keys.

• Mow your lawn for the last time.
• Dispose of toxic or flammable items that can't be moved. Drain the gas and oil from gas-powered tools such as lawn mowers and snowblowers; movers will not take them if full.
• Double check to make sure arrangements have been made to disconnect and service your major appliances being moved.
• Pack your "trip kit" of necessary items that should go in your car and not the moving van: your checkbook, cash or travelers checks, medications, essential toiletries, light bulbs, flashlight, toilet paper, pet food, spare glasses or contact lenses, baby or child care items, toys and car games for children and your notebook with moving information
• If you have young children, arrange for a baby-sitter to watch them on moving day. Since you'll have your hands full, the extra attention from a sitter will distract the child's attention from the turmoil of a move.
• Also arrange for a baby-sitter to be available when you arrive at your new home with young children.
• Pack your own suitcase of clothes for the move.
• Put your "open first/load last" boxes in a separate place so the mover can identify them.
• Pay all outstanding bills. Be sure to indicate your new address on payment receipts.
• Remove any fixtures you are taking with you and replace (if specified in your home- selling contract).

• The movers will arrive to start the packing process
• Empty and defrost your refrigerator and freezer, clean both with a disinfectant and let them air out. Put baking soda or charcoal inside to keep them fresh.
• Arrange for payment to the moving company. This payment must be made when your belongings arrive at your new home - before your belongings are unloaded. Find out your moving company's accepted methods of payment, terms, and its policy for inspecting your belongings when they arrive to determine if any breakage has occurred.
• Empty your safety deposit box. Plan to take important papers, jewelry, cherished family photos, irreplaceable mementos and vital computer files with you.
• Write directions to your new home for the van operator, provide the new phone number and include phone numbers where you can be reached in transit - either a car phone or friends, old neighbors, a place of business or relatives with whom you'll be in contact. You'll never be out of touch for long, should an emergency arise.
• Leave your forwarding address and phone number for your home's new occupants.
• If your old house will be sitting vacant, notify police and neighbors.

• Remove linens from the beds and pack in an "open first" box.
• When the movers arrive, review all details and paperwork. Accompany the van operator to take inventory. Verify delivery plans.
• If there is time, give the home a final cleaning, or arrange in advance for someone to perform this service the day after moving out.

• If you arrive before the movers, take some time to tidy up your home (dusting shelves, etc.) so the movers can unpack items directly onto clean shelves. If you plan to line cupboards with shelving paper, this is a good time to do it.
• Unpack your car.
• Review your floor plan to refresh your memory about where you want furniture and appliances placed.
• Check to make sure the utilities have been connected, and follow up on any delays.
• Confine your pets to an out-of-the-way room to help keep them from running away or getting unduly agitated by all the activity. You might even consider boarding them overnight at a local kennel until you're settled.
• Plan to be present when the moving van arrives. Be prepared to pay the mover before unloading.
• One person should check the inventory sheets as items are unloaded. A second person should direct the movers on where to place items. Once all items are unloaded, unpack only what you need for the first day or two. Focus on creating a sense of home for your family. Give yourself at least two weeks to unpack and organize your belongings.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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 carsick 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.

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.

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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