Your Moving Checklist

Six to Eight Weeks Before Moving Day

Working with White & Co:

Set a date for a White & Co representative to survey your home and prepare an estimate.

Call us on 01489 774910 to book an appointment.

As your company is paying for your move, refer to their moving policy to determine the services White & Co will be authorised to perform.

• Do you want to do any of the packing -- or will you have it done by our experienced packers? White & Co will be happy to discuss packing services with you.
• Show White & Co everything that is going to be moved. Any items you fail to disclose or that are added later to the shipment will increase the cost, even if you have been given a binding estimate.
• Keep the phone number and name of a your salesperson or move co-ordinator handy.

 

Four to Six Weeks Before Moving Day

Places to Notify:

• Notify the post office that you are moving. An online Change of Address form is available on the Royal Mail Website.
• Prepare a list of friends, relatives, business firms and others who should be notified of your move.
   

The following checklist maybe helpful:

• Electric
• Gas
• Fuel (Oil/Propane)
• Water
• Doctor
• Dentist
• Telephone
• Bank/Finance Companies
• Credit Card Companies
• Council Tax
• Council Services (i.e refuse collection)
• Accountant/Solicitor
• Insurance Broker
• Inland Revenue/ Customs & Excise
• DVLA 
• Cable/Satellite
• Health Club
• Newspapers/Magazines/Newsletters                          

    
Miscellaneous:

• Have a "garage sale" or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items form the loft & garage.
• Donate unwanted clothing or household goods to charitable organisations. 
• 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 White & Co: 

• Notify White & Co if you add or subtract items from your planned move or if there are any changes in dates.
• Be sure to supply White & Co 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 drive it to a suitable loading site. Also be prepared to pick up your car at a suitable destination location.

Preparing the Family: 

• Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.
• Have a going-away party for the children and their friends.
• Have some fun for yourself...an open house or an informal dinner or barbecue. Keep it simple. 
• Make family travel plans. Reserve hotel rooms and airline tickets as needed.
• If driving, have your car serviced for the trip (check tires, brakes and wipers, fluids, belts, etc.)

Preparing Household Items: 

• Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Drain fuel from your lawnmower and other machinery. Discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach, or any other substances that may be flammable or 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.
• Set a date for having utilities disconnected. If possible, plan to keep utilities in service through moving day.
• Have rugs and carpets cleaned. 
• 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 mould if furniture must be placed in storage.

 

One to Two Weeks Before Moving Day

Plants 

• Decide what to do with house plants. White & Co can move plants within the UK but cannot safely move your plants overseas because they may suffer from lack of water and light as well as probable temperature changes while in the van or container.
• Alternatives:
     Give them to friends or relatives.
     Donate them to a hospital or other organisation.
     Include them in a garage sale.

 Pets

• Take pets to the veterinarian. Most countries require health certificates and rabies inoculations.
• See that 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 home. 
    

Other Important Details:

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

 

Day Before Moving Day

Working With the White & Co Packers: 

• Point out to the packers any extra-fragile items needing special attention. Mark appropriately 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 before moving day. Upon arrival, the Foreman will check to see if boxes have been properly packed.
• Collect things you definitely want packed together, such as children's toys, and place in separate groups.
• 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 wardrobes, 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 at your expense.

 

Moving Day

Working With White & Co:

• 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 and sign the inventory. Get your copy from the Foreman and keep it.
• Make sure the White & Co has the exact destination address. Be sure to let the Foreman know how you can be reached, including phone numbers, pending the arrival of your personal possessions.
• Leave your phone connected throughout moving day.
• Take a Last Look Around:
   
     Water turned off?
     Heating turned off?
     Light switches turned off?
     All utilities arranged for disconnection?
     Windows shut and locked?
     Old house keys surrendered?
     Have you left anything?

 

Delivery Day

Working With the Mover: 

• Be on hand to accept delivery. If you cannot be there personally, be sure you authorise an adult to be your representative to accept delivery.
• 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. By signing the inventory sheet, you are acknowledging receipt of all items listed.
• Personally report any loss or damage to your move coordinator.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including the setting up any beds disassembled at origin. However, appliances and/or fixtures will NOT be installed.
• At your request and at an additional charge, your move coordinator can arrange for this service.
• 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 in a safe place. 
• To prevent possible damage, television sets, other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery, allowing 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 local requirements for car registration and a driver's license.
• You may want to select a lawyer/solicitor to discuss laws that pertain to your destination state, county, and/or city. Be sure to cover such matters as wills, transfers of property and investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, taxes, etc.