You’ve signed the deal for your new home, which is exciting. Exciting enough that you take a little bit of time to celebrate before digging into what it’s actually going to take to move your entire household from your old home to your new home. Which is good, because there’s a lot to do. Fortunately, Lincoln Moving & Storage is here to help – an advantage of working with a company that’s been in existence for over 100 years is that there’s not too much we haven’t seen when it comes to household moves.
To help you wrap your head around the many things that need to happen as you approach Moving Day, here’s a calendar that will help you keep things on schedule:
4 weeks before moving
· Plan to discard or use up most food items before the move; perishables cannot be transported.
· Whenever possible, recycle your empty containers. Most communities provide convenient recycling drop-off locations.
· Check and clear tax assessments.
· Arrange to have major appliances serviced before you move them. If a company-paid move, check with your move coordinator first.
· Lincoln can’t take aerosols, flammables, ammunition or bottled gas. It’s best to use them up or give them away before you move.
· If you have pets to transfer, check out our blog on things to think of when moving pets.
· Request pet’s records from the veterinarian.
· Notify the Post Office and get change-of-address forms. Notify magazines to which you subscribe. Note: You must fill out a change-of-address form for each person receiving mail at your address.
3 weeks before moving
· Make your travel reservations for the trip.
· Review and complete the Customer Responsibilities/High Value Inventory Form to give to your Lincoln van operator.
· Return library books and other things you’ve borrowed.
· Collect things you’ve loaned, and items in the dry-cleaners, lay-away, cold storage, safety
· deposit box, etc.
· Arrange to discontinue utilities and delivery services.
· Protect your shipment from damage by disposing of flammables such as gasoline, fireworks, matches, cleaning fluids, bottled gas; or aerosols, acids, and caustic drain
· cleaners, etc.
· Arrange connection of utilities in new home.
· Draw up a floor plan of your new home, and indicate placement of furnishings. It makes moving in much easier.
· We are not permitted to take down satellite dishes. We can help arrange this service for you. Arrange for cable/satellite TV disconnection.
2 weeks before moving
· Transfer bank accounts, and ask your local credit bureau to transfer your records to your new city.
· Reconfirm travel reservations.
· Unless another means of payment has been prearranged, e.g., credit card, personal check, or company paid — payment is due in cash, cashier’s check or postal money order before your household goods are unloaded at their destination.
· Set aside maps, games, snacks, flashlight and other items you’ll take in your car.
· Gather medicines and important papers for the car trip.
· Your local service provider can help you with phone, internet, cable or satellite service for your new home.
· Drain water from all garden hoses.
· Start packing suitcases.
· Drain gasoline and oil from small gasoline powered equipment.
· Anything Lincoln is packing for you should be left in place. It’s easier and safer, for example, to pack glassware right from the cabinet where it’s stored.
1 week before moving
· Put non-combustible cleaning supplies, toiletries and other items you may need first in special boxes to be loaded last, unloaded first.
· Finish packing all suitcases.
· Defrost, clean and dry refrigerator and chest freezer.
· It’s helpful to update current contact information for friends and local businesses before the big move.
1 day before moving
· Remember to give the van operator your signed Customer Responsibilities/High Value Inventory Form (this form must be signed even if no items are listed). Be on hand all day to answer questions and to sign the Bill of Lading. Confirm your delivery date, new address and the phone number where you can be reached.
· Make final check of every room and storage area.
· Make sure windows and doors are locked, keys are transferred and lights are out.
Moving day!
· It’s a good idea to be at your new home a day ahead of the van so you can make sure utilities are connected, and plan placement of major items in your home.