One Month Before
• Clean out closets, attic, basement, cupboards, toy chests, and bookshelves. Discard anything you don't want or need.

• Consider having a tag or garage sale. Keep in mind your best customer could be the purchaser of your present home.

• Donate unwanted items to charitable organizations (e.g. hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers, libraries, and thrift shops.) Remember to obtain a receipt for tax purposes.

• Evaluate whether or not to ship your appliances. Consider their age, size, and color. If your stove, refrigerator, washer, and dryer won't match or fit in your new home, consider selling them. Also, consider selling chandeliers and ceiling fans with the home, unless you have special or sentimental reasons for moving them.

• Take complete inventory of items to be moved.

• Decide if you will move all of your plants or just your favorites.

• Use up your fresh and frozen foods, as they can't be safely shipped. It is also advisable to diminish your supply of canned goods.

• Notify the security company, lawn, or snow removal services, along with any other regular services of your move date.

• Notify your Post Office, publications, and correspondents of your change of address and move date.

• Check your savings and checking accounts. Plan to transfer deposits so you won't lose interest.

• Arrange to collect advance deposits, or security deposits, on utilities or rentals.

• Check your Homeowner's Insurance. It may be applied to your new residence, or reapplied to the home's future owner's policy, with prorated payments.

• Be sure to coordinate insurance so you're immediately covered on your new residence. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Insurance can provide for all your needs.

• Check on club membership fees. The money may be refunded or you might consider transferring/selling the membership to a friend.

• Check with your veterinarian on any travel preparation needed for your pets. Check your moving company's policy on pet coverage.

• Register children for school and transfer all necessary school records.

Two Weeks Before
• Contact telephone, electric, gas, and water companies to advise specific date on which to discontinue services.

• Advise utility companies when to start services in your new location.

• Check requirements for new driver's license and auto registration.

• Advise dairy, laundry, and newspaper delivery to discontinue services.

• Be sure to clean out school or gymnasium lockers.

• Ask your present physician and dentist for referrals in the new location. Transfer medical records and get copies of prescriptions. If members of the family have any ongoing medical or dental treatment program, arrange for the practitioner to prorate the payments with the professional in your new area.

• Transfer insurance records. Verify that all your insurance provides adequate coverage in the city to which you are relocating.

• Arrange for the transfer of valuables. Check contents of your safe-deposit box. Do not ship valuables such as jewelry, insurance policies, legal documents, currency, stamp, and coin collections with the moving company; either carry them with you or send them by insured or certified registered mail.

• Do not ship combustible and flammable items. These include oil based paints, bleach, cleaning and lighting fluids, matches, and ammunition. All aerosol cans should be eliminated from the shipment, including hair sprays, shaving creams, deodorants, household cleaners, insecticides, tarnish removers, and car cleaners. Use up or discard these items.


One Week Before
• Keep a detailed record and receipts of your moving expenses for tax and reimbursement purposes, including transportation, lodging, and meals.

• Drain gas and oil from lawn mowers, chain saws, snow blowers, etc. Gas grills and kerosene heaters must be empty. If transported by van, cars and motorcycles should have as little gas as possible. If transported by auto carrier, cars should have no more than half of a tank.

• Remove snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways, and steps.

• Check to make sure you didn't leave anything at the dry cleaners.

• Put linens and pillows in the dresser drawers, to have handy for making beds the first night in your new home.

• Place draperies lengthwise on hangers and hang in the closet. The movers will place them in wardrobe cartons.

• Prepare a 'ready box' for last-on/first-off of the moving van. This might include essentials from your kitchen and bathroom. Think about including a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, and nails.

• Prepare a 'ready box' with necessary medications and first aid supplies.

• Help prepare your children for the move by providing them with their own special treasures. Set aside toys and games for the kids and pack a box of snacks.

• Defrost and clean the refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours in advance of the move.

• Remember to keep your telephone connected throughout loading day.


One Day Before
• The packing crew usually arrives the day before the van is loaded; be sure someone is on-hand to supervise the packing.

• Pack any valuables you intend to take with you personally.

• Make sure fragile items receive special attention. Label carton contents and where they go in the new home.

• Gather keys to the house and arrange to leave them with the new owners of your home, your real estate agent, or a trusted neighbor.

• Notify police if your home will be unoccupied after you leave.

• Notify close friend or relative of your itinerary in case of emergency.


The Day Of The Move-Out
• Check the mover's inventory to see that you agree with the mover's judgment on the condition of your household goods. Take photographs if there is a dispute.

• Load those things you are taking on the trip, including luggage.

• Search every room before the van leaves.

• Check the inventory for completeness before you sign it.

• Retain a copy of the signed inventory for your records.

• Record the van driver's name and give him or her your contact numbers at the destination. Confirm directions to the new residence.

• Turn off the water heater. Set your thermostat at 55 degrees.


The Day Of The Move-In
• Arrive before the movers.

• Contact utility companies.

• Check appliances, furnace, and hot water heater. Contact a repair person if something is not working.

• Check household goods carefully for loss or damage as they are unloaded. List all lost or damaged items on the inventory form.

• Since you will probably do some unpacking after the movers leave, make a note on the inventory 'subject to inspection for loss or concealed damage'

• Ask the mail carrier if he or she is holding any mail for your arrival.


After You Are Settled
• Obtain necessary licenses: driver's, automobile, pets, etc.
• Contact newspapers, dairy, etc., for home deliveries.
• Register car at new address.
• Register to vote.

A: No, international moves are not regulated, and are priced on a purely competitive basis.

Q: What is the difference between an interstate and an intrastate move?

A: An interstate move is a shipment moving between two states. Interstate moves are priced according to a tariff, total weight of all items to be shipped, and distance from the point of origin to your new home. Interstate moves are federally regulated under specific tariffs (published schedules of rules, rates, and charges for the transportation of goods). The tariff provides the schedule of rates and charges from which the van lines compute the total cost of the move. An intrastate move is a shipment moving within the borders of one state. Intrastate moves are state regulated and are generally priced according to an hourly rate filed with the state's regulatory body. The cost of an intrastate move will be determined by time and manpower required to accomplish the move. Discounting the hourly rate for an intrastate move is usually not allowed.

Q: What discounts will I receive for using Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Moving Services?

A: Competitive discounts are available only on interstate moves. Local or intrastate moves are highly regulated by the state governing bodies; therefore, the same high level of discounts do not apply.

Q: Are my possessions insured if I pack myself?

A: No, the carrier will not insure the possessions you pack yourself. If you feel you must pack some items yourself, stick to unbreakable items such as linens, pillows, bedding, etc. Make sure to have the movers pack all items that you would like to protect from breakage.

Q: How much will my move cost?

A: A physical survey of your household goods will need to be completed by the mover in order to give you an accurate estimate of the cost associated with your move. Intrastate moves are based on an hourly rate filed with the state's regulatory body, and will be determined based on time and personnel, while interstate moves are based on a filed tariff with a federal governing body and are based on weight and distance.

Q: What do I do if I discover damaged items after the move is complete?

A: You will need to notify your carrier immediately to file a claim. You have up to nine months after the date of delivery to file a claim. It is up to the carrier to decide whether to repair or replace the item. Repairs will have to meet the satisfaction of both the carrier and the customer.

Q: How can we help our children become more involved in the move?

A: As moving day approaches, let the children help with the actual preparations. According to their ages and abilities, they can: assist with the sorting of what to take and what to discard; pack favorite non-breakable items from their bedrooms and other rooms; put aside special things, such as favorite toys, that should be packed and loaded on the van last/unloaded first; check the house before the moving van leaves to see that nothing has been overlooked.

Q: What do I do if my closing is delayed and I cannot accept delivery of my household goods?

A: For an additional cost, your carrier will be able to provide you with clean and safe storage of your possessions until you are ready to accept delivery.

Q: How do I transport my pets if I cannot personally take them to the new location?

A: Pets cannot be moved in a moving van, train, or bus (except guide dogs and animal assistants accompanying blind, disabled, or deaf persons). Methods of pet transportation are limited to two: your personal motor vehicle and by air. If you move your pet by air, your pet can accompany you or travel as airfreight, if in the appropriate container. Contact a Move Coordinator if you need assistance with your pet's relocation.

Q: Will the movers disconnect and reconnect my appliances?

A: No, you will need to make arrangements for a service technician to disconnect appliances, especially any hook up to gas (such as ranges and dryers), and to disconnect your water line to the ice maker connected to your refrigerator.