Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches,
acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, etc. Drain fuel from
mowers and other machinery, and discard partly used cans of oil, paint,
thinner, or other substances that might leak. Carefully tape and place
in individual waterproof bags any jars of liquid you plan to take with
you. Refillable tanks must be purged and sealed by a local propane gas
dealer. Discard non refillable tanks. Some carriers and the military do
not permit shipment of any propane tanks. Have rugs and draperies
cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.
Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify the value. Avoid
waxing or oiling wooden antiques and fine wood furniture prior to moving
because some products may soften the wood, making it vulnerable to
imprinting from furniture pads. Think twice before dismantling your
outside TV antennae; a new one may cost less than moving the present
one. Third-party servicing will likely be needed before moving such
items as hot tubs, large-screen TV's, and some exercise equipment.
Let RM a NYC Moving Company help you with PRE and POST move servicing of
washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, grandfather clock, satellite
dish, etc.
Moving Appliances
AIR CONDITIONERS Consult
your authorized dealer or service man on your particular model. Some
sealed units should be bolted down.
DRYERS (ELECTRIC OR GAS) Check
with your service man. Motors may need to be checked and secured.
FREEZERS These appliances
must be completely defrosted one or two days prior to moving. They
should be dried and aired to avoid musty odor. Safety of contents cannot
be guaranteed, so it is best to empty your freezer and plan meal that
will use up perishable contents. Check with your service man to be sure
the motor is bolted, if necessary.
REFRIGERATORS Defrost and
thoroughly dry your refrigerator before moving. This is very important.
The doors should be left open several hours to air after defrosting. All
pans, trays, crispers, shelves, or removable parts should be removed and
wrapped individually. Have your refrigerator serviced. The motor may
have to be bolted down before moving. Do not plug it in at the new home
until it has been unbolted.
SEWING MACHINES The do not
need special servicing for local moving. For long distance, the driver
should stuff paper in and around the machine and place paper between the
lid and base to prevent rubbing.
STOVES Stoves must be
disconnected prior to pickup. Be sure gas lines are shut tightly and
capped. For electric ranges, removable coils (and all other removable
parts) must be packed separately.
TELEVISION SETS Some set
require that the be checked before moving. Some color TV's must be
service both before and after moving. Television antennas should be
removed from roof tops and disassembled (if necessary).
WASHERS Washers must be
serviced by an authorized service man. Motors should be checked and
secured, tumbler action protected and fastened in place.
Great Tips for a Smoother Move
If you're among thousands of people who have picked up and moved their family
to a new home or a new community, you have fresh memories of some of the ups and
downs or thrills or frustrations of moving.
Drawing from personal experience, I know there are lots of ways to help make
your household move easier and more smooth. Read here for help to get your life,
and your possessions, organized for a peaceful and exciting move.
Make a list.
Write everything down! You'll thank yourself later. Before you pack even one
box, create a simple record keeping system. Create a computer-printed list of
numbers with a space to write the contents. Or have a spiral-bound notebook for
the job. You'll place a number on EVERY box you pack and list the contents on
your list. Don't put the list down unless it's in a place you'll call Packing
Central. This is where you'll find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and
other supplies. When describing the box contents, be specific -- "A-D files" is
better than "files", and "Tulip dishes" rather than "misc. kitchen".
Have plenty of supplies.
Don't make me say this twice-- you'll need LOTS of boxes--probably more boxes
than you think, and having enough boxes will make your life easier! (If you buy
your boxes from a moving company, you can always return unused boxes for a
refund. If you got them free from the grocery, just toss any leftovers.) Have
about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as
bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies. You'll need strong plastic packing
tape to close up the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can
stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion household
good. Again, you'll need lots more supplies than you think, so get extra so the
packing can go smoothly. Return any unused supplies after the truck is packed.
Utilize wardrobe boxes.
These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters,
pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. Call your
mover to ask the width of the wardrobe boxes they'll be bringing. Then measure
the clothes in your closets (including coat closets) to see how many wardrobe
boxes you'll need. You can also use them for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes,
and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes.
Don't make the boxes too heavy to lift, however. One mover told the story of
someone who put a bowling ball in a wardrobe box! When the box was lifted off
the truck the bottom gave way, sending the bowling ball on a wild ride down the
ramp, across the street to the gutter, then down a hill where it finally came to
rest in a roadside ditch. (Is that a strike or a spare?)
Strategize wardrobe box use.
Moving companies will be happy to deliver boxes ahead of your moving day. Or if
you're doing the move yourself, get things organized as early as possible. A few
days before your move, fill some sturdy handled shopping bags with bulky closet
items such as shoes, sweaters, belts, and jeans. On moving day, fill the bottom
of the wardrobe boxes with some of the shopping bags, then add your hanging
clothing. Pack hanging items tightly so things won't move around and fall off of
hangers. Finally, cover the shoulders of your clothes (a dry cleaning bag works
well), then add a few purses or sweaters on top. You'll have fewer boxes, and
closet items remain together. Also, the shopping bags will make it easier to
retrieve your belongings from the bottoms of a tall wardrobe box.
Color coordinate.
Designate a color for each room in the new home, such as yellow for
kitchen, orange for dining room, etc. Apply colored stickers on the box near the
box number. In your new home. Put a matching sticker on the door to each room.
The movers will know where to put everything when they arrive at the
destination. It's also helpful to post a big sign on the wall in the room where
you want boxes stacked, ("Boxes here please") to keep them out of furniture and
traffic areas.
Keep things together.
Insist on keeping things together when you or the movers are packing boxes. Keep
bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps, and extension cords with
appliances. Small, loose parts can be attached to the item they belong to with
tape or placed in small envelopes -- to keep picture hooks with pictures, shelf
brackets with a bookcase, a special wrench and bolts with the wall unit. Keep
larger corresponding items (such as a cable TV cord) in Ziplock bags, and tape
these to the underside or back of the item. As a backup, have a "Parts Box" open
on the kitchen counter and fill it with cables, cords, parts, pieces, brackets,
or nails that are removed from any items of furniture. Keep this box with you,
or mark it well with a rainbow of colored stickers so it can be easily located
on move-in day.
Pack ahead.
Anything you can pack ahead will save you time on moving day. If it's summer,
get your winter clothes out of the way. You don't really need 5 radios or TV's
around your house for the last few days there. Box up your shampoo and extra
toothpaste and live out of a travel cosmetic case for the last week or two. Pare
down cooking utensils and food supplies to bare essentials. Wastebaskets can
also be packed (put things in them!) while you switch to using plastic grocery
bags (hang them on a cabinet door or door handle to collect trash.)
Consolidate cleaning supplies.
If you must clean your old place after moving out, put together a kit of basic
cleaning supplies and rags. Clean anything possible ahead of time (the inside of
kitchen cupboards, the oven, windows, etc.), and if possible, vacuum each room
as movers empty it.
Use your luggage.
Fill luggage and duffle bags with clothing, sheets, towels, and paper goods.
Even for local moves you'll be able to quickly spot your navy suitcase holding
your favorite sweaters, whereas "Box #189" might remain elusive for days.
Safeguard valued items.
It's a good idea to keep valuable possessions, such as silverware, collections,
or antiques, with you. If you have a long move and no room in your car, bury the
items in a box titled "Misc. from kitchen pantry". Either way, check your
homeowner's insurance to see how you are covered during the move, and if you
need additional insurance from the mover. Also, find out what paperwork
(receipts, appraisals, and photos) you might need to file a claim in case of
loss.
Keep important papers with you.
Your list of "important" papers might include: birth certificates, school
records, mover estimates, new job contacts, utility company numbers, recent bank
records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and
more. Don't leave these with the mover. Keep them with you!
Personal boxes.
Use brightly colored storage tote boxes, one for each person. Let each family
member fill theirs with items they'll want 'right away' in the new home -- a set
of sheets, a towel, a couple of extension cords, a phone, nightlights, address
book, pens and paper, keys, kleenex, and travel cosmetic case, and so on.
Moving may not be the most fun you've ever had, but planning ahead will go a
long way toward making the process bearable.
What to Do Before the Moving Truck Arrives
When reminiscing, few people rarely describe their experience moving their
entire household as "fun."
It totally consumes you for a long time: planning, packing, moving,
cleaning.
When you arrive in your new home, you're faced with even more challenges.
It may seem a small thing to decide where to put the best china or everyday
dishes, but after all the work moving out of the old home, the last thing
you need is another big decision or another major project.
But doing some work to your new home right away will make moving in feel
great.
If you're moving into a new house, you may not need to do anything
at all. Lucky you!
But if you've bought a home with carpet you hate, you're probably
thinking that it has to go. Should you wait until you're moved in, or
tackle the job now?
You may decide that it's too much to think about right now, that you
should leave the decision about replacement for later after you've settled
in.
You may not have the budget or time to do anything but move. But be sure to
weigh in the "cost" to you in both hassle and time if you wait to do a
necessary project at a later date.
Replacing flooring is a major project, and if you have the money
and you can make just this one decision at moving time, you'll really be
doing yourself a favor. If you put it off, you'll be faced with moving all
your furniture out of the rooms. What a bother! Not just for you, but for
the flooring installers as well! There will be furniture all around the
place, and you'll have to move it back into the room when they're done. If
you can do it when you move, be sure to order the flooring well in advance
of your move. Make arrangements to have new flooring installed a day or two
before you move in. Cover the new flooring with mats, tarps, or area rugs so
the movers don't track in dirt or scratch the wood. Then, when they set your
sofa and coffee table in place -- you'll be home.
Below are some other pre-move-in projects that can save you time and
trouble.
Choose the projects that are the most pressing. If your budget won't
allow re-carpeting the entire house, just do one floor. If you can't face
paint decisions for every single room, then just do the rooms where the
decisions are easy.
Painting -
Whether you do the work yourself or hire someone to do it, it's a lot
easier to paint an empty room. There will be no need to move furniture, take
down draperies, clear out the closets, or take every picture or mirror off
the walls. Allow several days to repaint before the movers show up,
especially if you'll be doing the work yourself. This type of work always
takes longer than you think. Or, hire a crew (professional painters or
friends) to come in and get it over with in a day or two. Painting even part
of the house before you move in can be a terrific time saver. If you can't
decide on colors, then just have everything painted a clean white, a pretty
light beige, or other background color you love -- depending on what works
best with your furniture and color schemes. Once the major patching,
priming, trim work, and base coats are in, adding another wall color at a
later date can be a snap.
Crown Molding -
Does anyone not love the look of crown molding? It's a wonderful luxury
to be able to install molding around the whole house all at once, before you
move into your new home. Be sure to prime and pre-paint the strips of
molding before installation, just before painting the interior walls. You
may need to do some touch up at the joints and nail holes, but that's a lot
easier than standing on a ladder for days trying to paint three coats fo
paint on the molding near the ceiling!
Here are some more great projects to do before the moving truck
arrives at your new home.
Re-Key - You'll never know how many keys are floating around for your
new home unless you get new locks or re-key the existing locks. The previous
owners may have given a key to neighbors, workmen, relatives, or cleaning
services, and you'll get some peace of mind if you get new ones. This is a
project to do just before or soon after you move in.
Closet Systems -
Having things organized, fitting into your new home, will really make you
feel great. You'll love wonderful closet systems with double hanging poles,
drawers, and shelves up to the ceiling. If you wait until later, you'll have to
take everything out, pile your clothes in stacks on your bed or floor (can you
visualize your clothes wrinkling in giant stacks), and live out of suitcases for
a day or two until the closet fittings can be installed.
No matter when you choose to do it, professional installers can be in and out in
a jiffy. Do-it-yourselfers may need a bit longer to figure out the instructions,
but once the process is down for the first closet, each additional closet should
be faster and easier. If you do some measuring in your new home before you move
in, you can plan ahead and choose and buy your closet components ahead of time.
Electrical Upgrades -
If you're moving into a new home, you may have all the electrical outlets you
need. But older homes could be a challenge. You can do the upgrades anytime, but
everything is easier to get to in an empty room. Remember, electricians are paid
by the hour and they'll be able to work faster if they have immediate access to
outlets and room for ladders and equipment. Older homes may need GFIs in
kitchens and baths, as well as additional outlets for TVs, phones, computers, or
lamps. This would be a great time to add a ceiling fan, and an electrician can
install a wall switch, brace the ceiling and install a specialized box for the
fan. You might want better work light in your kitchen or reading spotlights over
your bed. Lighten up a hallway with new track lighting or add lights in your new
closets. Two real luxuries that are easy to do are an outlet inside a vanity for
your hair dryer or an outlet on the mantle for holiday lights. How about a
motion-activated ceiling light in a basement or laundry room? All of these
projects can be easier to complete when your rooms are empty. The work can be
completed without your having to move furniture or cover room accessories to
protect them from drilling dust.
Garage Storage -
Will you be able to park your car in the garage, or will it become the
storage spot for everything from garden tools to holiday decorations? Yes, once
you move in, it's FULL of stuff. So, if you want to build storage shelves,
finish the floor with an epoxy coating, or install a workbench, it can be much
easier to do it before the garage is stacked to the ceiling. Another handy tip
-- if you have sturdy garage shelving from a previous home, arrange to have it
loaded on the truck last, then unloaded first, so boxes marked "Storage" can be
placed easily and quickly onto waiting shelves.
Using the tips and hints here, you'll find that moving into your house can
really be a pleasant experience. You'll feel right at home in a jiffy! Happy
moving!
