Six to Eight Weeks Before

Working With the Mover:

• Request an FREE in-home estimate and consultation, from Allstate Moving Systems.
• If this is a corporate relocation and your company is paying for the move, refer to their moving policy to determine the services the mover will be authorized to perform.
• Decide if you would like to handle your own packing, or will you be requesting professional packing services.
• For full-service moves, read “Your Rights and Responsibilities Manual” to fully understand the extent of the carrier’s liability.
• Sign the Estimate/Order for Service after carefully reviewing the estimate to make sure you understand each section.

Four to Six Weeks Before Moving Day

Who to Notify of the Move:

• Notify friends, relatives, business firms and other important contacts of your move, we have created a list to start your notification list.
  • Post Office (Click here to complete a online change of address form)
  • Utilities
    • Gas & Electric
    • Water
    • Telephone
    • Sewer District
    • Trash
    • Cable/Satellite
    • Fuel (Oil/Propane)
  • Professional Services
    • Doctor(s) / Dentist
    • Lawyer
    • Insurance Agency
    • Government Offices
      • Social Security Administration
      • Department of Motor Vehicles
      • State / Federal Tax Bureaus
      • Veterans Administration
  • Personal Accounts
  • Pharmacy
  • Dry Cleaner / Laundry Service
  • Lawn Service
  • Financial Institutes
    • Bank/Finance Companies
    • Credit Card Companies
    • Brokers
    • Auto Finance Company
    • Accountant
  • Health Club
  • Subscriptions
    • Newsletter
    • Magazines
    • Journals

Miscellaneous:

• Start cleaning out unwanted items–Have a “garage sale”, use an online auction service or donate the items
• When donating unwanted goods to charitable organizations. Ask for receipts showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions.
• Begin to use up supplies of canned goods, frozen foods and other household items. Buy only what will be used before moving.

Two to Three Weeks Before Moving Day

Working With the Mover:

• Notify your moving representative of any changes in items or dates with your planned move.
• Supply your agent with destination address and phone numbers where you can be reached.
• Confirm any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup and delivery points.
• If your car is being moved, be prepared to drive it to a suitable loading site and unloading site at the destination.

Miscellaneous:

• Prepare your family for the move by taking the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.
• Have going-away parties for the children and their friends and for you and your friends…an open-house or an informal dinner or barbecue. Keep it simple.
• Make final travel plans – reserve hotel rooms and airline tickets as needed.
• If driving, have your car serviced for the trip (check tires, brakes and windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.)

Preparing Household Items:

• Federal law requires that you dispose of Hazardous Materials, such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, poisons (weed cleaner) and more (please read the complete list of non-allowables.)
• Drain fuel from your power mower and other machinery.
• Discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach, or any other substances that may be flammable, combustible or those stored in containers that may leak.
• Discard propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.
• Set an appointment with a service technician to prepare your major appliances for shipment — or have your agent send someone out who is authorized to perform this service.
• Set a date to disconnect utilities. If possible, plan to keep utilities in service through moving day.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.
• Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving because some products might soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture can cause mold if furniture is placed in storage.

One to Two Weeks Before Moving Day

Pet and Plant:

• Decide what to do with houseplants. The mover cannot safely move your plants because they may suffer from lack of water and light as well as probable temperature changes while in the van. Plant care alternatives include:
  • Give to friends or relatives
  • Donate to a hospital or other organization
  • Include them in a garage sale
• Some states permit the entry of all houseplants; others admit them in accordance with specific rules and regulations. Ask your agent for a copy of our “Moving With House Plants” booklet.
• Take pets to the veterinarian. Most states require health certificates and rabies inoculations.
• Make sure the identification and rabies tags are securely attached to your pet’s collar.
• Arrange for transportation of pets. Take them in the car or send via air.
• Consider boarding pets either at destination or at a kennel near your present home until you are settled in the new city. Ask Allstate Moving Services for a copy of our “Moving With Pets” booklet.

Miscellaneous:

• Collect all items that are being cleaned, stored or repaired (clothing, furs, shoes, watches, etc.).
• Empty your locker at the club, bowling alley or gym.
• Return library books and anything borrowed from friends or neighbors, and collect things you may have loaned.

Day Before Moving Day

Working With the Packers:

• Show your representative any extra-fragile items needing special attention.
• Mark any items you do not want packed or moved
• Mark cartons you will want first when the van arrives at the final destination.
• If you are doing your own packing, make sure everything is ready to go before moving day. (The van operator will check to see if boxes have been packed correctly.)
• Organize items you want packed together, such as children’s toys.
• Unplug all electronic appliances 24 hours in advance of a move, except plasma televisions, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos, and audio/video equipment.

Last Minute Details:

• Check closets, cabinets, and storage lockers for any articles overlooked.
• Be on hand when the service representative arrives to prepare your appliances for shipment.
• It is your responsibility to see that all mechanical and electrical equipment is properly serviced for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving van.
• If you have failed to have any equipment serviced, the van operator may load and haul it but will mark the inventory sheet “Not Serviced.” Request a copy of the “Moving Appliances & Other Home Furnishings” booklet for more information.

Moving Day

Working With the Mover:

• We request that you remain on the premises until loading is complete, to ensure that all your belongings are loaded. After making a final tour of the house, you will need to check and sign the inventory form. You will receive a copy for your records.
• Approve and sign the Bill of Lading/Freight Bill. Be sure to complete and sign the declared valuation statement.
• Complete and sign the High-Value Inventory form, this form is required even if there are no items of extraordinary value included in the shipment.
• If applicable sign and date the “Extraordinary (Unusual) Value Article Declaration” box on the Bill of Lading.
• Make sure the van operator has the exact destination address. Be sure to let the van operator know how you can be reached, including phone numbers, for the arrival of your packed goods.

Last-Minute Details:

• Leave your phone connected throughout moving day. After the van leaves and you finish last-minute calls, be sure to pack the phone in one of your suitcases.

Take a Last Look Around:

• Water shut off?
• Furnace shut off?
• Light switches turned off?
• All utilities arranged for disconnection?
• Windows shut and locked?
• Old house keys surrendered?
• Triple-check every nook and cranny to make sure you are not leaving anything behind.

Delivery Day

Working With the Mover:

• Be on hand to accept the delivery. If you cannot be there personally, make sure you authorize an adult to be your representative to accept the delivery and pay any charges.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will attempt to contact you by phone and/or will make an appearance at the residence if he is unable to reach you. If you are unable to accept delivery of your shipment within the free waiting time (i.e., two hours) after notification of arrival at the destination, you may request waiting time until delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they are unloaded.
• If there is a change in the condition of the property from the inventory notes or if any items are missing, note discrepancies on the van operator’s copy of the inventory sheet.
• Sign the inventory sheet to confirm receipt of all items listed.
• Personally report any loss or damage to your salesperson or move coordinator.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, (placement of rugs, setting up beds disassembled at origin, etc.) Please note: mattresses will not be unpacked, and appliances and fixtures will NOT be installed.
• If requested in advance, your salesperson or move coordinator can arrange for the services not generally unpacked or installed at an additional cost.
• The mover is not obligated to rearrange your furniture.
• Place a floor plan of your new home by the entrance, which the movers can use to determine where each piece of furniture should go.

Miscellaneous:

• Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To prevent possible damage to television sets or other electronic equipment and major appliances, Do not use for 24 hours after delivery. This allows them time to adjust to room temperature.

One Week After Move

Settling In:

• Check with your new Post Office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to start.
• Check state (and local) requirements for auto registration and a driver’s license.
• Consider selecting an attorney to discuss laws that pertain to your destination city, county, state or country. Cover matters: wills, transfers of property and investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, taxes, etc. Most laws affect a family as soon as residence in the new state and city is established.