2-3 Weeks Before The Move

 Working with the mover

  • Notify your Mergenthaler Transfer & Storage representative if you add or subtract items from your planned household goods shipment or if there are any changes in dates of the move.  Also be sure to supply the destination location, contact address and phone numbers where you can be reached while in transit.
  • Confirm with your representative any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup or delivery points.
  • If your car is being transported by United Van Lines, it can be loaded at your residence and delivered to your new home.  In some cases, car shipments are consolidated, and may need to be dropped off and picked up at predetermined locations.  It is important that you do not place household goods items in your vehicle.  Such items must move in the household goods van.  Any damage to your vehicle should be noted at the time of delivery.  See Moving an Automobile
  • When shipping an automobile, a boat or trailer, it is imperative to properly service or craft prior to loading.

To service an automobile…

  • Arrange for the gasoline tank to be at least one-half full;
  • Test for sufficient antifreeze fluid in the cooling system; and
  • Check the oil level.

Preparing the Family

  • Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.
  • Have a “going-away” party for the children and their friends.  This gives the youngsters a chance to tell all about the “wonderful new city we’re moving to” and to invite their friends for a visit later.
  • Have some fun for yourself… an open house or an informal dinner or barbecue.  Keep it simple, without elaborate preparations.  It’s the guests who are important.
  • Make family travel plans.  Reserve hotel or motel rooms as needed.  You might want to guarantee them on a major credit card in case of late arrival.  See Real Estate, Mortgage, Travel and Destination Information
  • Have your car prepared for the trip.  Check tires, brakes and windshield wipers.  If needed, have the car serviced.
  • Explain the reason for the move to your children.  Tell them about the advantages of moving to a new city—new things to see and do, new places to visit, new friends to make.  See Moving With Children

In Search of a New Residence

  • If you haven’t already done so, place your home on the market as soon as possible.  If you have an apartment, notify your landlord of your moving date.
  • Arrange for a house-hunting trip to the new city.  If this is not possible, get in touch with a real estate agent or two and ask for help in locating a house or apartment.  You might want to subscribe to the local newspaper in advance of your move.  The Sunday edition usually contains a large real-estate section.  It can be very helpful in giving you some idea of the type of housing available in the new city, as well as providing information (from ads) about living costs.  Other good real estate links can be found at Real Estate, Mortgage, Travel and Destination Information
  • When looking for a new home, take along a tape measure and a list of the exact dimensions of each of your major appliances and other large pieces of furniture.  Measure the areas provided for them to be sure your appliances and furniture will fit.
  • Establish credit in the new city.  Ask your current banker to recommend a correspondent bank.  Arrange for the transfer of funds and contents of your safe deposit box.  Have the local credit bureau send your rating to the one at your destination.  Also, ask the bank to serve as a credit reference.
  • Check personal insurance policies to see whether moving is covered.  Transfer fire, theft and other personal property insurance to ensure coverage at your new home.

Collect Personal Records

  • Gather information on prescriptions and dates of last examinations.  Be sure to check current phone numbers and addresses of your physician, dentist and hospital.  This will help you at destination when getting health records transferred.
  • Ask your dentist and doctor to recommend colleagues in the new city.  See if your physician offers a records request form.
  • Transfer, sell or resign memberships in clubs or associations.
  • Report your move to any lending agency with which you do business.  A lender’s permission may be required to move personal property in which the lender has an interest.
  • Arrange for the closing or transfer of charge accounts.  Do not discard items such as credit cards and hunting/fishing licenses until you are sure they’ll have no value at your destination.
  • Give your new address to your former employer so a copy of your W-2 forms can be forwarded.
  • Arrange with the school authorities for transfer of the children’s school records and credentials—or secure transcripts of the records from the school, if you prefer to take them along.

Packing

  • Start collecting suitable containers and packing materials if you plan to do the packing yourself.  See Doing Your Own Packing
  • Set goals and deadlines to ensure all packing is completed by moving day.  You might want to pack one room per week.
  • Separate and mark any goods that will be going into storage.

Preparing the Household Items

  • To guard your household goods against damage that could be caused by fire, explosion or leakage in the van…
    1. Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer.  Mergenthaler Transfer & Storage will provide you with a complete list of “non-allowables.”  See Non-Allowables
    2. Drain fuel from your power mower and other machinery, and discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other substances that might leak.
    3. Carefully tape and place in individual waterproof bags any jars of liquid you plan to take with you, such as prescription medications.
    4. Discard all propane tanks because they are not allowed on the van.
    5. Have rugs and draperies cleaned.  Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.
  • Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify their value.  Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving, because some products might soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.
  • Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving.  Moisture could cause mold if furniture must be placed in storage.
  • Set up an appointment with a service technician to prepare your appliances for shipment – or have your agent send someone out – at least the day before moving.  Pre- as well as post-moving service might be needed for your washer, dryer, icemaker, grandfather clock, satellite dish, waterbed, computer, etc.  Third-party servicing likely will be needed before moving such items as hot tubs, large-screen televisions and some exercise equipment.  Think twice before dismantling your outside TV antenna for moving – a new one might cost less than moving the present one.
  • Set a date for having utilities disconnected.  If possible, plan to keep your utilities in service through moving day in case last-minute calls or cleanups are necessary.

Pets and Plants

  • Decide what to do with houseplants.  United Van Lines cannot accept responsibility for safely moving your plants, because they might suffer from a lack of water and light as well as probable temperature changes while in the van.  You might prefer to transport your houseplants in the family car or ship them by plane.  Other alternatives: give them to friends or relatives, donate them to a hospital or other organization, or include them in a garage sale.  Some states permit the entry of all houseplants; others admit them in accordance with specific rules and regulations.  See Moving Plants
  • Take pets to the veterinarian.  Most states require health certificates and rabies inoculations.  See that identification and rabies tags are securely attached to the pet’s collar.
  • Arrange for transportation of pets.  Take them in the car or send via air.  Consider boarding pets either at destination or at a kennel near your current home until you are settled in the new city.  See Moving With Pets also see Real Estate, Mortgage, Travel and Destination Information for pet transport services.

Other Important Details

  • Collect any merchandise in lay-a-way at local stores.
  • Collect all items that are being cleaned, stored or repaired (clothing, furs, shoes, watches, etc.).  Empty your locker at the club, bowling alley or gym.
  • Return library books and anything borrowed from friends or neighbors, and collect things you loaned to others. 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Have a "going-away" party for the children and their friends. This gives the youngsters a chance to tell all about the "wonderful new city we're moving to" and to invite their friends for a visit later.

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