Make A Smart Move

Sunday, May 09, 2010

by Team Randy & Jenny Thomas

Getting ready to pack up and make your move?

Specify the exact date of the move and when it will be convenient for an agent from the moving company to visually survey the household and prepare an estimate.
Tour your home before the agent arrives, checking everywhere, inside and out, to determine what will be moved and what will be discarded. Show the agent what will be moved.
If you’re doing the packing, start collecting suitable containers and packing materials. Setting packing goals and deadlines will help ensure all packing is complete by moving day.
If moving because of a job change, learn exactly which moving expenses will be paid by your company.
Drain fuel from the power mower and other machinery. Discard partly used containers of any substance that may leak. Remember to empty water from steam irons.
Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify their value.
Don’t wax or oil wood furniture before moving, because some products may soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.
Unplug all electronic equipment such as television sets, home computers, stereos, etc., 24 hours in advance of a move so they will be at room temperature on moving day. Moving a TV set and other electronic equipment in which heat is still retained could cause internal damage.
Identify items of extraordinary value such as jewelry, money, art, antiques and collections. (The moving industry identifies items worth more than $100 per pound as having extraordinary value.) Consider moving high-value and irreplaceable items (photos, memento) yourself. If you decide to ship, tell the agent about such items before packing or moving day.
Discard or make other arrangements for items that cannot be loaded on the van, including hazardous materials that are flammable, corrosive or explosive, as well as perishables such as food, plants or living things that may die or spoil in transit.