Going from one house to another {moving, household} has stages.
do-it-yourself
Get smallest truck or trailer that holds everything in one load. Practice driving. Load it with proper weight balance, front-rear and right-left. Put heavy items on floor and light ones on top.
contract
Moving contracts list estimated packing costs. Contracts include prices for boxes and containers, extra charges for carrying goods over long distances or heights to and from home, extra insurance costs, gasoline surtaxes, extra costs for big city labor use, and total price of taking estimated weight from old to new home.
estimate
If using a moving company, contact at least two, several months in advance. An estimator comes to estimate total weight. Get at least two estimates. Point out what stays and what goes. Most movers are similar but use a recommended one. Company selected sends a contract and a book about moving. Moving contracts allow a three-day period for the move. Movers will probably come on last day.
insurance
Moving contracts have insurance options. The free option pays a fixed amount per pound for pounds lost or damaged. The other option costs little and pays more.
loading
If you have already packed a household, movers can load a moving truck in a day. If movers pack, it can take a week to load. Large moving trucks can hold 4 to 7 houses. Never allow goods on tailgates or tied to truck. Movers can pack truck inside as they like.
move
Truck driver is in charge of the move. Driver has weighed truck before packing. Driver writes condition and number of items. You must sign sheets listing boxes, furniture, and so on. Driver weighs truck again. Call to find out actual weight, to know total cost. You have no control over how long truck takes to get to new house. Ask expected arrival date and be ready to add two days.
move preparation
One month before moving, find a new home. Transfer insurance to that home. Send change-of-address cards, available from post office, to all creditors, debtors, magazines, clubs, newspapers, and friends. Notify telephone companies, utility companies, and other businesses that bill monthly, stating when to stop services at old address and start at new address. Open a checking account in new area. Throw away unwanted things.
moving week
One week before moving, clean everything, get packing materials, and select items needed during transition period.
packing
Put all items into boxes, not wrapped or loose. Get boxes from grocery stores. Break down items to fit them into boxes. Wrap breakables in newspaper, clothes, and towels. Do not use excelsior, plastic puffs, or special wraps. Pack plates on edge. Nest saucers, bowls, and cups. Pack books flat, not on edge. Make small boxes for books and heavy items. Use towels, sheets, and clothes to fill boxes completely, so nothing can shift. Wrap mirrors and easily marred surfaces with cardboard. Protect TV face carefully with cardboard and blankets. Have pianos moved separately. Mark boxes with contents and room names and seal shut with strong plastic tape.
unloading
When truck arrives, pay driver. After unloading everything, sign sheets again. Write down everything you do not like. Decide what to do about it later. Mover puts boxes in marked rooms. Mover unpacks boxes, if it is in contract.
Practical Affairs>Financial Affairs
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Date Modified: 2022.0224