Relocation Guide

Following are some tips to help you prepare for your next move

• Decide if you need to hire a moving company. Do the research and make the decision now, so that you don't find yourself without help on moving day.
• Inventory and evaluate your possessions. This is an excellent time to get rid of clutter. Have a garage sale or give away items to charity prior to your move, so you aren't moving items that you don't want.
• Get a change-of-address kit from the post office. Don't forget to fill out a card for everyone in the household who receives mail.
• Pets and plants need special care. If possible, arrange for these items to be taken care of by someone else during the move, so you have one less thing to worry about.
• Notify your children's schools and arrange for transfer of school records, if moving out of the school district.
• Contact the gas, electric, water, telephone, cable TV, newspaper and trash companies for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. Remember to keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day.

• Collect important papers (insurance, will, deeds, passport, stock certificates, birth records, etc.) Put them in a safe, secure box or location so they don't get lost or misplaced during the move.
• Open bank accounts in your new city, if necessary.
• Start packing items that you don't need on a daily basis, such as good china, books, and seasonal clothes. Put these boxes in an out-of-the-way space until moving day.
• Arrange to transfer your insurance on household goods and personal possessions so they will be covered not only at your new home but also during the actual move.

• Have your cars serviced, paying special attention to fluid levels and your tires.
• Arrange for sufficient cash or travelers checks to cover cost of moving and expenses. If you are using a moving company, make sure you have cash or a certified check for their payment. They will not unpack the van without it.
• Check your safe deposit box; pick up any dry-cleaning; return library books and rented movies, etc.

• Defrost freezer and refrigerator. Take extra precautions to block doors from closing so they can't accidentally close on pets or children.
• Disconnect your major appliances and prepare them for the move if they are going with you.
• Pack a box of personal items needed immediately at your new home. Bring this with you if possible.
• Organize and set aside those things you are bringing with you so they don't get loaded on the moving van by accident. Load them ahead of time in your own personal vehicle if possible.
• To save time and eliminate confusion, draw a floor plan of your new home ahead of time. Sketch in and number your furnishings the way you want them arranged. Tag furniture pieces to correspond to the floor plan so that movers know where to put each piece.

• Supervise the loading. Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these and all related papers in a safe place until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
• Keep children and pets out of the way of the movers - whether they're your friends or professionals.
• Leave house keys with your real estate agent.