Berea Kentucky - Moving Tips

Packing & Loading

Start packing several cartons each day a few weeks before your move. Be sure that the items you pack won't be needed before your move.

Lay down "floor runners" to protect carpets and flooring in entryways, hallways, and other high-traffic areas, as well as padding banisters and doorways to avoid marring walls and woodwork.

Wrap furniture with cloth pads or "blankets" to protect it from scratches, dents, dirt, etc. Even items such as gardening tools should be wrapped to prevent them from scratching or soiling other items.

Do not mix items from different rooms in one box.

To prevent small items from being lost or mistakenly thrown out with the packing paper, wrap miniature knickknacks and other small items in brightly-colored tissue paper before placing them in the box.

Prepare a detailed "inventory" list of all items.  Tag every individual carton or piece of furniture & list on the inventory form. On the top and front of each carton, write a general description of the contents and indicate the room from which it came (or which it will go into in your new home).

Box separately and personally transport irreplaceable photos, financial papers and assets bank checks, insurance policies, stock certificates, etc.), legal documents (wills, passports. etc.), valuables, jewelry, coin and stamp collections, etc.), and medical and family history records.

Pack your current phone book to take with you. You may need to make calls to residents or businesses back in your former hometown.

Pack heavy items in small boxes, light items in larger boxes.

Place pictures in boxes between sheets and blankets to give them added protection.

Plates and record albums should be packed on end vertically, rather than placed flat and stacked.

Toilet paper, telephone, toothpaste and brushes, snacks, coffee and coffee pot, soap, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a couple of pans, scissors, and paper towels are some of the essentials you may need upon arrival at your new home. Pack a box with these types of items and load it last so that it will be unloaded at your new home first. Before packing medicine and toiletry items, make sure that their caps and lids have been tightly secured. Remove bulbs before packing your lamps.

Let your children participate by packing their toys/games, etc.

After you've thoroughly cleaned and dried the inside of your refrigerator / freezer, put a handful of fresh coffee, baking soda or charcoal in a sock or nylon stocking and place it inside to keep the interior smelling fresh.

Pets:  Keep your pet calm and away from all the activity on moving day by arranging for a friend to watch your pet at their house. Before moving your pet, schedule an examination by a veterinarian. The veterinarian may suggest a tranquilizer or some other precautionary measure for the duration of the trip. Obtain copies of your pet's health and rabies vaccination records and update identification tags.  Don't feed your pet for several hours prior to your trip. Pack a canteen of fresh, cool water and stop frequently for drinks and walks.

Plants:  It's advisable not to transport plants because some states have rules prohibiting the transport of certain plants across state lines. If you do transport it, provide it with extra sunlight for several weeks to let it store the extra energy that it will need for an extended trip. Prune back overgrown leaves and branches about a month before moving, and curtail feeding to minimize growth. Thoroughly water the plant the day before you move, and cover it with a plastic bag to retain moisture and warmth. Finally, place the plant in a sturdy carton to keep it from tipping over. Ttry not to let foliage rest against car windows, as the leaves will scorch. For more suggestions on moving your plants, contact a local florist or greenhouse.

Computers and Other Electronics:  Use the original carton and packing materials if possible.If not, wrap components (e.g., receiver, CD player, VCR) separately inside clean plastic garbage bags to protect them against dust and dirt, and then pad them with newsprint or bubble-wrap. For turntables, secure the tone arm, remove the needle, and tighten the turntable screws. Carefully pack the item in a sturdy carton that has been lined with newsprint or styrofoam "peanuts." Securely seal the carton, and mark the outside of the box to indicate that the item inside is "Extremely Fragile."   Personal computers and printers require special attention. Disconnect wires attached to movable hardware such as a modem or mouse. Detach paper holders/feeders from printers and wrap monitors and other hardware.   "Back up" all files by copying them onto a floppy disk, and keep them in your possession en route to your new residence. Be sure not to pack disks or cassettes near magnets, such as those on stereo speakers. Consult your PC user manual for any additional instructions relative to your particular equipment.

Some common household items should not be transported because they are hazardous materials. Examples of these materials include flammables such as paint, varnish and thinners, gasoline, kerosene and oil, bottled gas, aerosol cans, nail polish and remover, ammunition and explosives, corrosives, and cleaning fluids and detergents.

If you're moving a boat, drain all fuel and oil from the motor. Similarly, if you're moving an auto,
drain the gas tank and check for any oil, battery acid, or radiator fluid leaks that might damage the other contents of your shipment.

After everything has been loaded for moving,  take one last walk through your house to make sure that nothing has been overlooked.

If you need to store some of your goods, it's a good idea to tour the warehouse of the mover you're planning to use. Look for cleanliness, organization, security, etc.

After your arrive at your new residence:

Unpack breakables over the box you're taking them out of.  If you happen to drop an item, it will land on some packing material, thereby reducing its chance of breakage.

Designate one drawer of a dresser for sheets and towels so that you won't have to rummage through boxes for these essentials the first night in your new home.

Consider having the TV and VCR hooked up first to occupy the kids while the rest of the van is being unloaded.

Let your PC "acclimate" itself to room temperature before plugging it in. Countdown to Moving Day
Eight weeks before you move
Contact your mover to make arrangements for moving day.
Remove items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc.
Contact the chamber of commerce or visitor's and tourism bureaus in your new community for information on your new city.

Six weeks before

If you're moving at an employer's request, verify what expenses and responsibilities are theirs and which are yours.
Contact the IRS and/or your accountant for information on what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.
Begin to inventory and evaluate your possessions. What can be sold or donated to a charitable organization? What haven't you used within the last year?
Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
Obtain a mail subscription to the local paper in your new community to familiarize yourself with local government, community, and social news and activities.
Locate all auto licensing and registration documents.
If some of your goods are to be stored, make the necessary arrangements now.
Contact schools, doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants and obtain copies of your personal records. Ask for referrals where possible. 

Four weeks before
Obtain a change-of-address kit from the post office and begin filling outcards.
Arrange special transportation for your pets and plants.
Contact utility and related companies (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV, and trash collection) for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. However, remember to keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day.
Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner's or renter's, medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
If you're packing yourself, purchase packing boxes from your local mover.
Pack items that you won't be needing in the next month.
Plan a garage sale to sell unneeded items or arrange to donate them to charity.

Three weeks before
Make travel arrangements and reservations for your moving trip. However, don't make plane reservations for the same day that you're moving out.  House closings are often delayed, and other unexpected situations often arise.
Collect important papers (insurance, will, deeds, stock, etc.).
Arrange to close accounts at your local bank and open accounts in your new locale.

Two weeks before
Have your car checked and serviced for the trip. Also, make sure that your automobile is prepared (filled with the necessary antifreeze/coolant, for example) for the type of weather conditions you'll be traveling in.
If you're moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact the building management to schedule use of the elevators.
Contact your moving counselor to review and confirm all arrangements for your move.

One week before
Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants.
Don't forget to withdraw the contents of your safety deposit box, pick up any dry cleaning, return library books and rented videotapes, etc.
Take pets to the veterinarian for any needed immunizations. Get copies of pets' veterinary records.
Drain gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.).
Give away plants not being moved.
Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company. (Include your itinerary, emergency numbers, etc.)

Two to three days before
Defrost your freezer and refrigerator. Block doors open so they can't accidentally close on pets or children.
Have your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move.
Pack a box of personal items that will be needed immediately at your new home. Have this box loaded last or carry it with you in your car.
Organize and set aside those things that you're taking with you so that they don't get loaded on the van in error.

Moving day
Make sure that someone is at home to answer the mover's questions.
Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).
Finish packing & loading