Moving
Day Checklist
Keep a cool head with this list that does the thinking for
you...
"Help
me help you" is the catch phrase when the movers arrive,
so do yourselves and them a favor: follow these tips.
To keep moving bedlam at a minimum, we've created this to-do list.
Print out this page, and check off the tasks, item by item. Many
of the items can be done ahead, so do yourself a favor and get
organized the day before. Come moving day, you'll be ready to
supervise the whole affair, without worry or distraction.
 Task
One: Clearly Mark and Set Aside Items You Don't Want Loaded
Task
Two: Pack Special Items for the Kids
Task
Three: Get Rid of Trash and Flammable Items
Task
Four: Reserve a Parking Space for the Moving Truck
Task
Five: Clear Walkways
Task
Six: Point Out Special Items
Task
Seven: Take Care of Your Driver and Crew Members
Task
Eight: Decide on Tipping
Task
Nine: Before the Driver Leaves ... Task
One: Clearly Mark and Set Aside Items You Don't Want Loaded
This will remind you to tell the driver what not to load as you
conduct your pre load walk through. Make sure your important paperwork
pertaining to the move doesn't get packed and shipped with your
household goods.
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Task
Two: Pack Special Items for the Kids
Have the kids pack a box of their "special" items, things
that they'll want to have nearby as soon as you all arrive at
your new home. Point this box out to the driver so it's one of
the first to be unloaded.
Note:
You may want to arrange for someone to take care of the kids (and
pets) while the movers are packing and loading your items. Have
the caregiver bring the kids back home prior to the truck leaving
as it important for young children to understand where their belongings
are going.
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Task
Three: Get Rid of Trash and Flammable Items
Eliminate as much trash as you can before moving day. Last-minute
garbage will inevitably build up the day prior to and the day
of loading. Try making a deal with a neighbor to use their trash
container for your last-minute debris.
Many
items that are considered flammable are not going to be loaded
by the driver and crew. Understand what these items are so that
you are not stuck with trying to get rid of them on day of loading.
If you are uncertain what items can't be loaded, ask your estimator
for a list. Because movers can't transport most household cleaners,
they will be available for you to use throughout the day. Also
remember to remove items from inaccessible areas like crawl spaces
or attics.
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Task
Four: Reserve a Parking Space for the Moving Truck
If you live in a congested area, recruit some friends and park
all of your vehicles one after another in a space close to your
home and do not move them until the truck arrives. The closer
the truck can get to your house, the better your chances are of
not incurring an additional charge.
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Task
Five: Clear Walkways
Make it safe and easy for your movers to get in and out of your
house by removing all obstructions.
* Move
potted plants and planters from front porch, walkways and driveways.
* Remove all door and floor mats.
* Remove all rugs. The crew will protect the floors with a specially
designed floor covering that does not slip.
* Remove low hanging items such as wind chimes or hanging plants.
* Disconnect the spring on the screen door so that it stays open
during the loading process.
* If you had the moving company pack for you, work with them to
keep walkways clear for the driver and crew.
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Task
Six: Point Out Special Items
Set these items aside the day before the move. Then, once the
mover arrives, point out items that are most special to you during
the walk through. All your items will be handled professionally
but take a moment to show them which ones need the most special
care. Also, point out the boxes you would like to have unloaded
first, if they are not going into storage. These boxes may include
kitchen and bathroom items, or your children's toys.
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Task
Seven: Take Care of Your Driver and Crew Members
Consider the needs of your driver and crew members! It is not
necessary to prepare an elaborate meal, as this is the last thing
you will have time for. Still, run out and get some breakfast
rolls or cookies and order pizza for lunch. It is a nice gesture
and will be warmly received.
* Keep
water and pop on hand for yourself and the crew. On hot summer
days, provide Gatorade or some type of sports drink. These men
and women work hard, handling your most important possessions.
A cool drink can really help.
* Advise the driver and crew where to locate the drinks and food
so that they do not have to ask each time.
* Advise the driver and crew which restroom you want them to use.
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Task
Eight: Decide on Tipping
Should you? It is completely up to you. Many individuals do tip
the driver and let him disperse the portion to the crew that they
think is appropriate. You decide!
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Task
Nine: Before the Driver Leaves ...
Make sure you understand all the paperwork before the driver departs
for your new home. If there is something that is confusing to
you, ask your driver to explain it before you sign it.
Provide
the driver with your destination contact information. Take down
any information the driver can provide such as his cell phone,
pager and satellite tracking information. Ask the driver if your
shipment is the last he/she will be loading. Find out when the
last shipment goes onto the trailer. This will give you an indication
as to when they will be departing for your new home. Ask the driver
about his/her plans for delivering your items. Find out as many
details as you can prior to the driver leaving your residence.
If the
driver attempts to give you a delivery date and time, keep in
mind that it is really only an estimate at the time of loading.
Many factors can change the schedule for the driver, so try to
remain flexible. Ask the driver to call you with changes so that
you can adjust your plans accordingly. If you have a delivery
spread (a sequence of two or more days that your shipment can
be delivered on and still be considered on time) understand that
you can and may be delivered on any one of those days.
Take
one last sweep of the house before the driver leaves. Look through
all closets, shelves, in the garage, attic, crawl space, storage
unit, under the stairs, on the walls and any place else things
may be hiding. You do not want to find out, after the driver has
left, that something was left behind.
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