877-419-MOVE  TOLL FREE
702-876-2343 • 702-871-MOVE • 702-873-MOVE

Helpful Hints

Moving day can be a very stressful time. These hints and tips will help the move go more smoothly for you as well as the moving crew.

• Be prepared. Have everything boxed up, packed and ready to go. The move will go more quickly and efficiently when you are completely prepared.
• Have driveway or loading area cleared of all vehicles and debris prior to the moving crew's arrival. The closer they can get the truck, the quicker the move will be completed.
• Transport all money, jewelry, firearms and flammable liquids on your own, as the moving crew cannot transport these items.
• Keep all small children and pets in a separate area of the home to avoid any potential dangerous situations. The safety of your children, pets, belongings and the movers themselves is of the utmost importance.
• Be sure to discuss all questions concerning the paperwork and how the move will be performed with the foreman prior to the start of your move. If there are questions the foreman cannot answer, please feel free to contact the office.
• After completion of the move, make sure everything has been placed where you would like it. The final paperwork and payment should be handled with the foreman of the crew.* (see home page for methods of payment)
• While tipping the crew is common, in no way will gratuities ever be solicited nor are they required. However, if you feel your crew went above and beyond and you choose to tip, please make arrangements separately from the bill.
• We thank you for your business and hope to make your move as stress free as possible. Please feel free to contact our office any questions, concerns or feedback at 702-876-2343.

 

Moving Time Frame

6-8 Weeks Before Your Move

• Call and set a date for us to visually survey your home and prepare a free estimate.
• If your company is paying for the move, refer to their moving policy as to services we can perform.
• Do you want to do any of the packing - or will you have it done by our experienced packers?
• Read our policy to understand our liability.
• Keep our phone number handy - 702-876-2343.

4-6 Weeks Before Your Move

• Notify the post office that you are moving. An online change of address form is available at USPS.com. CLICK here to access the form.
• Have a garage sale or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items.
• Donate unwanted clothing or household goods to charity. Obtain 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.
• Prepare a list of who should be notified.
  • Utilities: electric, gas, water, telephone, sewer, trash, cable/satellite, fuel (oil/propane)
  • Personal Accounts: pharmacy, dry cleaner, lawn service, bank, credit cards, laundry, auto finance, health club
  • Services: doctor(s), dentist, accountant, lawyer, broker, insurance
  • Publications: newspapers, magazines, newsletters, journals
  • Government: department of motor vehicles, social security, state/federal tax bureaus, city/county tax assessor, veterans administration

  2-3 Weeks Before Your Move

• Notify us if you add or subtract items from your planned move or if there are any changes in dates. Be sure to supply us 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 or delivery points.
• If your car is being moved, be prepared to pick it up at a suitable destination location.
• Federal law requires that you dispose of flammables. Discard propane tanks from barbeque grills.
• Set a date for having utilities disconnected. If possible, plan to keep utilities in service until 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 could cause mold if furniture is placed in storage.
• If driving, have your car serviced for the trip.

1-2 Weeks Before Your Move

• Decide what to do with house plants. We 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.
• Take pets to the veterinarian. Most states require health certificates and rabies inoculations. See that ID and rabies tags are securely attached to collars.
• Arrange for transportation of pets. Take them in the car or send via air. Consider boarding pets at a kennel near your present home until you are settled in the new city.
• Collect all items that are being cleaned, stored or repaired.
• Return anything borrowed from friends or neighbors, and collect things you may have loaned.

1 Day Before Your Move

• Point out to packers any extra-fragile items that need special attention. Mark any items you do not want packed or moved, as well as cartons you will want first when the van arrives at destination.
• If you are doing your own packing, make sure everything is ready to go. Upon arrival, the van operator will check to see if boxes have been properly packed.
• Collect things you definitely want packed together and place in separate groups.
• Unplug all electronic appliances so that they will be at room temperature on moving day.
• Double check that closets and cabinets are empty.

Moving Day

• It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is complete. After making a final tour of the house, check the inventory.
• 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, pending the arrival of your household goods.
• Leave your phone connected throughout moving day. After the van leaves and you finish last-minute calls, be sure to pack the phone in your suitcase.
• Double check:
  • Water shut off?
  • Furnace shut off?
  • Light switches off?
  • Have you left anything?
  • All utilities arranged for disconnection?
  • Windows shut and locked?
  • Old house keys surrendered?
• Be on hand to accept delivery. If you cannot be there personally, be sure you authorize an adult to be your representative to accept delivery.
• The van operator will attempt to contact you by phone and/or will make an appearance at residence.
• Check your household goods as they are unloaded. If there is a change in the condition of the property from that noted on the inventory at the time of loading or if any items are missing, note discrepancies on the van operator's copy of the inventory sheet. Personally report any loss or damage to us.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct. 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.
• Keep all documents pertaining to your move. You will need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• Allow electronic equipment and major appliances 24 hours to adjust to room temperature before using.

Packing Tips

• Limiting cartons, when possible, to a maximum weight of 50 pounds to make handling easier.
• Wrapping items carefully.
• Providing plenty of cushioning to absorb shock.
• Using sturdy cartons that close.
• Making sure cartons are firmly packed and do not rattle, bulge outward or bend inward.
• Not mixing items from different rooms in the same carton, when possible.
• Pack room by room. Start with the things that you no longer want. Next, pack things used infrequently and items that are currently out of season. Leave until last the things you'll need until moving day.
• Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, items not recommended for inclusion in your shipment and anything that would puncture or damage other items. However, blankets, sweaters, lingerie, bath towels and similar soft, lightweight goods may be left in drawers.
• Pack similar items together.
• Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic or cloth bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
• Wind electrical cords, so they do not dangle.
• Wrap items individually in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate items. Colored wrapping draws attention to very small things. Use a double layer of newspaper for a good outer wrapping.
• Place a two or three inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of a carton for cushioning.
• Build up in layers, with heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top.
• As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer, or use bed sheets or cardboard cut from cartons as dividers.
• Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets also may be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the tiem, the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered.
• Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper.
• Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
• Avoid overloading cartons, but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
• Seal cartons tightly with tape.
• As you finish with each carton, list the contents on the side of the carton (for easy viewing while cartons are stacked) and in a notebook. You might want to number and/or code the cartons as well.
• Indicate your name and the room to which each carton should be delivered at destination. Tape a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the carton labels so movers can get the cartons into the proper rooms quickly.
• Put a special mark on cartons you want to unpack first at destination.
• Use a material called bubble pack (plastic with bubbles) for exceptionally fragile items. If an item is extremely valuable as well as delicate, it might be wise to have it packed for you. Special materials might be needed for maximum protection.
• If wardrobe cartons are not used, clothing should be removed from hangers, folded and placed in a suitcase or carton lined with clean paper. Some lightweight clothing - such as lingerie and sweaters - may be left in bureau drawers.
• Family photographs, videos, slides and negatives should be packed in separate cartons rather than being combined with other household items. Protect framed photos with padding and cushioning, standing them on edge in a carton. Label cartons clearly for easy identification.