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We want you to start preparing early for your move - It's really never too soon to begin planning. Our moving tips are here to help you during the time of your upcoming move. Browse through our moving tips, checklists and reminders to help you make your move a better experience, easier than ever imagined!
MOVING TIPS
BASIC PACKING TIPS:
Plan how you will pack. Pack items first that you don’t use often, such as belongings stored in the basement, garage or attic.
Start packing as soon as you find out you’re moving - people often underestimate how long it takes to pack.
Packing room-by-room will help you stay organized.
Never pack flammable items or restricted items.
Use generous amounts of paper inside the carton on the top and bottom to provide good cushion.
List contents and room on the outside of the carton.
Clearly mark “Fragile” on the outside of cartons.
Use clean newsprint paper. Old newspapers may work, but use them carefully because the ink may rub off onto your items. Clean “newsprint” paper is available from your local agent.
Write “Open First” on cartons containing essential items such as cooking utensils, toiletries, etc.
Separate breakables and non-breakables.
Pack all cartons tightly and Limit cartons to a maximum weight of 50 pounds.
Use professional packing tape. Masking tape isn’t strong enough to support fully packed cartons. Packing tape is available from your local agent.
For best results, have your mover pack: Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" x 60" or larger, pool tables and pianos ,bulky, fragile items like large trophies, statues, chandeliers, and major appliances .
PREFESSIONALY PACKING
Careful packing is one of the most important aspects of your move. Well-packed household goods stand little chance of being damaged. Also, packing room by room can help to make the unpacking and storage much less of a chore. Whether you have TCM GLOBAL do the packing or you do it yourself depends on your circumstances. Some people do not have the time to devote to what can be an intimidating task. In such cases, TCM GLOBAL provides the finest in safe and professional packing services. For families on a budget, self-packing can mean considerable savings.
Even if you choose to do the packing yourself, you might still consider having TCM GLOBAL pack the more delicate or fragile items, such as dishes, crystal, lamps, etc. It is the best of both worlds: you’ll enjoy the security of having these more costly items professionally packed while reducing your costs by doing the bulk of the job yourself.
SELF PACKING
Many people use newspapers to pack their belongings, but keep in mind that newspaper ink has a tendency to rub off on everything it touches and can be almost impossible to remove from items like fine china. Tahoma Professional packers use “newsprint” (unprinted newspaper) as cushioning material. You can get newsprint from your local material supplier. The amount of newsprint you use depends on the items being packed. Obviously, towels or sheets in a carton require no packing material at all. For dishes or fragile items, a layer of crumpled paper should be used to line the bottom of the carton to a depth of approximately four inches. Each item should be individually wrapped with crushed paper between items as needed. |
MOVING TIMELINE / CHECKING LIST
8 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE, HAVE YOU…
- Contact your mover to make arrangements for moving day?
- Chosen your mover and signed the acceptance note?
- Sorted through basement, loft and garage?
- Resolved what to do with prohibited items?
- Made proper provision for pets?
- Decided whether or not you are taking your car?
6 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE, HAVE YOU…
- If you're moving at an employer's request - Verified what expenses and responsibilities are theirs and which are yours?
- Started to prepare your mailing list of people who need your change of address?
- Notified about your move: banks, savings accounts, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, rental companies, friends and professionals?
- Located passports, birth/marriage certificates, motor vehicle registration and licensing documents?
- Applied for any necessary visas?
- Checked that electrical goods will work in your new home?
- Begun an inventory and evaluated your possessions. What can be sold or donated to a charitable organization? What haven't you used within the last year?
4 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE, HAVE YOU…
- Separated favorite toys?
- Made sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date?
- Submitted a Change of Address form to the post office?
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Contacted 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.)
- Decided whether or not to buy any new household goods - check tax refunds?
- If you're packing yourself - Purchased moving boxes from your local mover? (Pack items that you won't be needing in the next month)
2 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE, HAVE YOU…
- Decided which clothes travel with you?
- Started to dismantle climbing frames/garden furniture?
- Made arrangements of connection of services at your new home?
- Returned library books?
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Contacted your relocation consultant to review and confirm all arrangements for your move?
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Withdrawn the contents of your safety deposit box, pick up any dry cleaning, returned library books and rented videotapes, etc.?
2 TO 3 DAYS BEFORE YOU MOVE, HAVE YOU…
- Defrosted the refrigerator/freezer?
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Planned simple meals for moving day to avoid using appliances? Bought plastic plates, forks, knives, cups..?
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Organized and set aside those things that you're taking with you so that they don't get loaded on the van in error?
- Cleaned garden tools, bicycles and any other gardening equipment?
- Emptied the tanks of powered tools such as mowers?
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Checked you have enough medication for at least two weeks, and ensure you have copies of any necessary prescriptions for use at destination?
- Collected traveler’s checks or local currency?
- Arranged for someone to look after the children on moving day?
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Contacted your relocation consultant to confirm arrival time of the moving van, as well as to notify them of any last minute details?
LAST MINUTE DETAILS
- Check closets, cabinets, and storage lockers for any articles overlooked.
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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 at your expense. If you have failed to have an article serviced, the van operator may load and haul it but will mark the inventory sheet "Not Serviced."
TAKE A LOOK AROUND:
- Water heater, main power and gas taps shut off?
- Furnace and air conditioner shut off?
- All utilities arranged for disconnection?
- Windows and doors shut and locked?
- Old house keys surrendered?
- Have you left anything behind?
- Clothes at the drycleaners, shoes at shoe repair shop?
MOVING DAY
- Make sure that someone is at home to answer the van foreman's questions.
- Walk around with the crew chief while he does the inventory.
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Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these -- and all related papers -- in a safe location until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
- RELAX – We take care from now on!
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MOVING WITH PETS
Moving with pets is a sensitive issue to address when relocating. Since moving can cause unneeded stress on your pets, it's important to try and reduce these stress levels as much as possible. For the inexperienced, sorting through the maze of shots, health certificates and strict quarantine regulations that vary from one country to another ads undue tension to the already complex task of overseas relocation. Here are some things you can do when moving the family pets to your new home:
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Make certain your household pet is wearing proper identification and any required license tags in case they get lost.
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Ask your veterinarian for a copy of your pet’s medical history to take with you, and be sure all shots are current.
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Shortly before the move, your pets may become nervous because of all the unusual activity. Keep a close eye on them; stress may cause them to misbehave or run off. Consider having them boarded during the hectic days.
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When you move, take along a health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate. The health certificate, signed by your vet says your pet is in good condition. The rabies certificate states when and where your pet was vaccinated.
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If you move across state lines call or write the state veterinarian for laws on the entry of animals. If you move to another country,
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When traveling by air, contact the airline well in advance to check regulations and services.
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Consider direct flights to minimize the amount of time your pet will be confined. Select a portable air-transport kennel that’s large enough for your pet to stand and move around a bit and let your pet get accustomed to the kennel in advance.
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Don’t forget to mark the kneel with “ Live Animal”, your pet’s name, your new address and phone number.
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After boarding your plane, ask the flight attendant to confirm your pet has been loaded on the plane.
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If your pet has and ID implant, remember to have updated contact information.
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RESTRICTED SHIPPING ITEMS
Before your possessions are packed and loaded, it is important that you understand which items cannot be shipped because they represent a hazard or are perishable. Listed below are some common restricted items that you will need to address prior to your pack and load dates;
- Paints, thinners, oils and varnishes
- Ammunition and firearms.
- Bottled gas, propane, etc.
- Lamp oil, fire extinguisher
- All flammable, explosives and corrosives
- Motor fuels and oils
- Nail polish remover
- Bleach, sterno, ammonia
- All aerosol cans, matches.
- Car Batteries, pool chemicals, chemistry sets
- Cleaning solvents
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USEFUL LINKS
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