(........ Content needs amending, Some of the info on this page is american ......)
Organise your move
The trick to a successful move is forward planning. Long before you sell your house and pay the deposit on your dream home, you should already be making arrangements for moving day.
- Estimates from moving companies or truck rental companies.
- Create a floor plan of your new home for furniture and appliance placement.
- Make an inventory of your household goods and begin to remove clutter (start with the basement, attic, garage, and other storage areas).
- Start a file for all your moving paperwork (estimates, receipts, etc)
- Arrange to transfer school records.
- Choose a mover (or truck rental company).
- Get your new home ready - Contact painters, carpenters, plumbers, roofers etc., so your home is ready when you arrive. Remember to change the locks on all the doors in your new home.
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- Obtain and fill out post office change-of-address cards.
- Make arrangements for storage if necessary.
- Ask your doctor or health plan provider for referrals, and obtain all medical records.
- Have antiques, pieces of art, and other valuables appraised.
- Clean all closets and drawers.
- Start using foods and cleaning supplies that cannot be moved.
- Confirm the date of your move
- If you're renting, notify your landlord of your moving date
- Check your home insurance - make sure you have cover from the day you move in to your new home
- Obtain written quotes from several removal firms. Get references and check the limits of their insurance.
- If you're not using professional removers, ask friends to help.
- Book extra storage space if required
- Notify the relevant utility companies of your departure
- Start getting rid of possessions you no longer need. Decide which items can be taken to a charity shop, sold at car boot sale, or offered to your friends
- If you need new furniture or carpets - order them now and arrange delivery for when you move in
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- Schedule disconnection of all utility services at your old home, and connection of them at your new one. Be sure to disconnect the day after you leave and connect the day before you arrive. If you have "last month" deposits with services, such as the telephone company, request your refund.
- If you are moving yourself, reserve a rental truck.
- If you are packing yourself, obtain packing materials and start packing items you won't need until after you arrive at your new house. See our PACKING TIPS
- Arrange for cleaning and repair of furniture, drapes, and carpeting.
- Check with your insurance company to see how your possessions are covered during transit.
- Arrange for special transportation of your pets and plants if necessary.
- Check to see if you need any moving permits.
- Plan your moving sale. Remember to check with local authorities about restrictions.
- Collect your important records -- Gather personal and family records, including medical and dental, veterinary and school records; legal and financial documents; birth certificates, passports and insurance documents.
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- Properly dispose of items that cannot be moved, such as flammable liquids.
- Sell or find new homes for items that will not move and are not waste.
- If Necessary make child-care arrangements for moving day.
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- Start packing non-essential items such as books and non-seasonal clothes into boxes.
- De-register from your doctor, dentist and optician if you're moving out of the area.
- Visit the post office and arrange for your post to be forwarded (you will be charged a fee for this service)
- Notify your milkman and newspaper shop that you'll be moving and give them a date you want the service to stop
- If you have children or pets, arrange for someone to look after them during the move
- Make a list of everyone who should know about the move. ( *** Who to inform? **** )
- Finalise arrangements with your removal company. Confirm arrival times and make sure your removers have directions to your new address.
- Arrange a time to collect the keys for your new home from the estate agent
- Notify then bank of any changes to direct debits and standing orders.
- Service your car in preparation for the move.
- Return any borrowed items (including library books) and retrieve any loaned items.
- Cancel newspaper delivery.
- Notify any creditors of your move.
- Transfer prescriptions and be sure you have an adequate supply of medications on hand.
- Assemble a file folder of information to leave for the new owner of your home.
- Send change-of-address cards to everyone who will need to contact you.
- Pack a travel kit: Put aside critical items like a check book, credit cards, personal phone book, ID, flashlight, keys, toiletries, tools, paper plates, cups, towels, travel alarm clock, aspirin, bandages and games for the kids. Also, pack a suitcase with clothing and other personal items.
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- Settle any bills with local businesses.
- Take animals to vet for immunization or kennels, if necessary.
- Confirm any travel reservations.
- Defrost refrigerator and freezer, propping doors open.
- Let movers pack your belongings (unless it's a do-it-yourself move).
- Disconnect and prepare major appliances for move.
- Set aside anything that will travel in your car so it will not be loaded on the truck.
- Pack a box of items that will be needed first at the new house. Clearly mark this box "Load Last."
- Obtain cash for the trip and to pay the movers.
- Confirm arrival time of your moving van/truck.
- If moving yourself, dismantle beds and other large furniture.
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- If using a mover, be sure someone is at the old house to answer questions.
- Note all utility meter readings.
- Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before signing. Keep this paperwork in a safe place.
- Check your belongings carefully and note on the inventory paperwork any damaged items.
- Supervise unloading and unpacking.
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A few general things you need to know about packing:
- Keep boxes to 50 lbs or less.
- Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in big boxes.
- Pack non-breakables tightly in smaller boxes, so they're not too heavy.
- Buy clean newsprint to wrap items, and bubble wrap for padding.
- Pack breakables loosely in plastic storage bins with lots of bubble wrap.
- Rent furniture pads.
- Mark your boxes by room, so you know exactly where everything goes. Colour coding or using a number system works great (i.e., red stickers for bedroom or 1 for bathroom.)
- Write "FRAGILE" on all boxes with breakables and stack these boxes on top.
Packing the big things
Beds:
Tie bed frames together with tape or rope. Then label the pieces so they're easy to reassemble.
Bureaus:
Fill drawers with clothes or fragile, well-wrapped items. Cover with a blanket or furniture pads and rope securely. Tables: Remove legs, pad and tie together. Put nuts and bolts in a bag and tape under tabletop.
Big appliances:
Empty, defrost and drain the fridge, freezer and dishwasher. Clean the interiors and put accessories in bags. Stuff towels between washer sides to prevent rotating and tape down moveable parts. Cover with blankets and tie.
Computers, TVs, & Electronics:
Use original packaging, or buy electronic-specific boxes.
Packing the small (but still important) things
Small appliances:
Put your microwave, VCR, etc. into boxes, and cushion with wadded paper.
Books:
Pack them flat in small cartons, alternating bindings. Try to keep each box under 30 lbs.
Clothing:
Pack hanging items, including drapes, in wardrobe boxes. Leave small items in drawers.
Collectibles:
Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap and tape securely.
CDs:
Pack upright and cushion with newspaper.
Kitchenware:
Stack pots & pans, and cushion with paper. Put a few of these items in the "open first" box.
Dishes:
Never stack them flat. Wrap each piece in bubble wrap. Pack plates & saucers on edge, with cups & bowls placed around them.
Packing the awkward things
Chairs:
Wrap arms & legs with bubble wrap. Leave slipcovers on or buy chair bags for protection.
Bicycles:
Loosen the handlebars and turn them sideways. Cover chains and pedals to keep grease off other items.
Mirrors, artwork & frames:
Wrap small pieces in newsprint and pack in mirror boxes. Cover larger pieces with cardboard, tape securely and stand them along the truck's sides or inside wardrobe boxes.
Lawn furniture:
If heavy or bulky, disassemble. Put nuts and bolts in a bag and tie together.
Rugs:
Roll up and secure with rope or tape.
Plants:
Put in plastic bags with air holes, then in boxes. Water before you leave.
Power and garden tools:
Wrap all sharp edges and use plenty of cushioning to prevent injury. Tape long-handled tools together and place small ones in boxes.
Lawn mowers/yard:
Empty gasoline from all tanks, and check for oil leaks.
Garage & attic stuff:
Use medium-sized boxes for spray paints, brushes, car waxes, etc. Throw away oily rags or anything combustible.
Pets:
Always keep them in a pet carrier up front with you. Ask your vet how to make their, and your, move less traumatic.