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Step
by Step Guide to Moving
Moving
can be very stressful. In fact after marriage or the death of a loved one,
moving is the 3rd
most traumatic experience in life. This guide was written with you in mind. Easy
and very simple steps to take to make you’re moving far less stressful.
Finding a Mover:
Always try to ask
friends or family first if they know of anyone that they have used who had made
their moving easier. As a consumer it is up to you to ensure that you hire a
professional company to do your moving. Do Quick search
www.look4movers.com or
www.freemovingcompanies.com and check who is in your area. Jot down their
names and keep it as a list.
Check the names
firstly against the
Bureau for Better Business. See if they have ever had a complaint lodged
against them. Those that have strike them from your list of moving agents or
movers.
Secondly check
which ones are listed with the Department of Transportation. The Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), now also has a website
Protect Your Move setup to ensure that you do not get a “rogue” mover. Check
on their website under “Check Mover Registration”, and it will tell you if the
mover is registered in your state and what level of insurance they carry.
Those moving agents
or movers that are left on your list, those are the ones to call. Try to narrow
your moving companies down to 3 or 4 for quotes.
Now should anyone
of the movers require the following, scratch them off your list:
-
They provide you
with a quote over the phone without even seeing your house; Do Sent you Quote
in writing or via email. The quote should be BINDING. Therefore, it will
not change on your moving date.
-
They demand large
upfront cash deposits; Playing small deposit is ok!
-
The company
claims that all goods are insured by their insurance, yet the price remains
the same.
Now call the movers
and start asking for quotes. Now don’t forget, they will need to know:
-
Who is packing
what goods;
-
Do they pack
everything? Ask them if there will be any additional costs for the use of
carton boxes for your goods;
-
Now try to
remember
that many will not insure boxed goods, unless they packed it themselves;
-
Always try and
get mobile phone numbers should you need to get a hold of them either during
or after the move.
-
Insurance
coverage, check with them that your goods will be covered during the move. All
reputable movers have insurance.
-
Are all the goods
going from Point A to Point B or are you having certain goods dropped off at a
warehouse or by someone else.
-
Movers will not
move pets, so check for an Animal Transportation company to move your animals
by air cargo if it is interstate.
Also try to keep in
mind that moving is not always cheap. If you choose a cheaper moving company,
remember you might have to sacrifice certain things.
Congratulations, you should have found your mover by now.
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Packing:
This is a very
important task as it could either cost you money or save you money. A mover is a
professional so always try to only pack things that are replaceable. Here is a
list of things that you can do:
-
If you are buying
your own boxes, see what it is you are moving and buy boxes in different
sizes. Larges ones and some small boxes also always market the boxes with what
is in each one. “Clothing mother”, so that when it comes to unpacking the
movers will know in which room to place each box;
Books:
(a)
Try and
always pack your books into the small boxes. They do become very heavy; also
don’t forget to always tape the boxes on the underside and try and pack in
such a manner that the box is not heavy. A good gauge is to feel it yourself. If
it is too heavy it might get dropped during the move. This might be a good time
to also get rid of the books you no longer read or need;
Clothing:
(b)
Moving
your clothing can be very easy if you buy “Wardrobe” boxes. These are cardboard
boxes with a pole running down the centre. They are easy to pack as you can take
your clothing from the cupboard and hang them in the box. This will not only
save your on ironing time but will also allow you to add extra items such as
shoes at the bottom of the box.;
Electronic
Equipment:
(c)
Place the
equipment, be it a Hi-Fi, computer or television, back
into its original
box. This not only saves space but will also protect the goods better during the
move. Smaller items, such as a modems, telephones or a scanner. See if you can
place these items into a much larger box together. It avoids loss or theft.
Small
Appliances: (Blenders etc)
(d)
Place a
lot of newspaper down at the bottom of the box, which you should have tapped on
the underside to give it added strength. Tape down any loose parts. Items which
have lids. Place newspaper between the lid and the item so that it does not
damage during the move.
Large Appliances:
(Washing Machine etc)
(e)
The Fridge:
1.
Defrost
your fridge at least 2 days before the move. Don’t close the doors; let it stand
open so that the mildew smell does not build up. Try and leave some Bicarbonate
of Soda in the middle of the fridge to get rid of any smells;
2.
Empty the
drainage pan at the bottom of the fridge;
3.
Remove
the inside shelves and place them in a box;
4.
Tape the
electric cord to the rear;
5.
REMEMBER:
When arriving in the new house, not to turn of the fridge for at least 6 hours
to allow the gas to settle in its tank again.
Washing machine:
1.
Empty the
washing machine. Turing it on its side to let the water out of its sump;
2.
Place
some linen around the spinner drum if it is a top loader. This prevents it from
hitting the sides during the move;
3.
Tape
electric cord to the rear.
Movers will not
move items which are still connected. This includes both electrical or gas
appliances. Ensure that these are disconnected before hand.
All other goods
should have their electrical cords tapped up against the rear and all removable
parts removed and placed into a separate box. Bubble Wrap any mirrors.
It is very
important that you and not the movers pack any valuable items. Things that are
not replaceable such as photo albums or jewelry. Take that with you in your car.
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Insurance:
This is an
important issue that you need to check before your move. Some household
insurance will cover your move as goods in transit, others will not. So you
might want to check out:
-
Short term
insurance for your move;
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Don’t forget,
unless the mover packed the boxes, they will not be responsible unless the box
is physically damaged on the outside;
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You have 9 months
after the move to file a claim; and
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The mover has to
respond within 30 days thereof and to resolve it within 120 days.
There 3 types of
insurance with moving:
1.
Limited Liability
- This especially pays by weight. 30c per pound or 60c per pound long haul. This
is set to a maximum of US$ 2,500. So if the truck runs off never to be seen, you
will be offered the payout of US$ 2,500.
2.
Lump Sum Value
– This is based on the value of your goods. This type of insurance is generally
less than 1% of the value of the goods. So if your goods are worth more than
$1.25 per pound, you will on average fork out $8 for every $1,000.
3.
Full Value
Insurance
– This pays out the full replacement value of the article that is lost or
damaged beyond repair.
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Moving Day:
On moving day
ensure that you are at the house. Count all the boxes leaving your house and
make sure that it is accounted for on the inventory sheet.
Don’t leave the
house before them! Always make sure that everything has been removed. Provide
the driver with the location and if it is a local move, follow them to your new
house.
Before leaving the
now empty house. Check that your telephone has been disconnected; the electrical
mains are turned off; unless there is an alarm system that needs to be
activated. Also ensure that the gas has been turned off.
You are now on your
way!
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Moving In:
-
Check the items
on the inventory sheet, as they unload;
-
Check the
condition of each item including the boxes and look for any damage. If you
do find damages write it down on the inventory sheet.
-
If there is
external damage to any of the boxes that you packed yourself, write it down.
When you check for damages later, you can always show the box to validate
your claim. Even though you packed the box yourself, you can still claim
from the insurance as the box was physically damaged;
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Make a list of
any missing items;
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Don’t try and
fix any damaged items, remember you have up to 9 months to claim.
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