Keeping Your Move In Check

Your personal relocation checklist

Five weeks before moving day:

Contact Allegheny Valley Transfer Co. to make your arrangements for moving day. Remove items from the attic, basement and all storage areas. Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc. Contact schools, doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants to obtain copies of your personal records. Ask for referrals where possible.

Four weeks before:

Obtain a change-of-address kit from the post office; fill out the cards and return. Contact service companies (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable, internet, trash collection) to disconnect/connect services at your old and new addresses. However, be sure to keep your phone and utilities connected through moving day. If you're packing yourself, stop by your Allied agent to purchase materials. Pack items that won't be needed in the next month. Plan a garage sale to help lighten the load.

Three weeks before:

Make travel arrangements and hotel reservations for your moving trip. However, don't make plane reservations for the same day that you are moving. House closings are often delayed, and other unexpected situations often arise. Collect important papers (insurance, will, deed, stocks, etc.) Arrange to close accounts in your local bank and open accounts in your new city.

Two weeks before:

If you're moving out of, or into a building with elevators, schedule use of the elevators on moving day. Contact your Personal Relocation Consultant to review and confirm all arrangements for your move.

One week before:

Withdraw contents of any safety deposit boxes, pick up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented video tapes or DVDs. Take pets to the veterinarian for needed immunizations. Get copies of pet records. If flying with your pet, be sure to obtain the required travel health certificate from your vet. Drain gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, leaf and snow blowers, etc.) Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company (including your itinerary, emergency phone numbers, etc.) Organize and set aside things that you're taking with you (including a box of personal items you'll need immediately upon arrival) so that they don't get loaded on the van by mistake.

Moving Day:

Be sure that someone responsible is at your home to answer questions. Make special arrangements for pets and small children to keep them safe on moving day. Get the driver's contact information.

Upon Arrival:

If you haven't already done so, call your booking agent to confirm final delivery arrangements. Unless previous arrangements have been made, the driver must, by law, collect payments (cash, approved credit card, certified, cashier's or traveler's checks or money orders) for your move before unloading. Personal checks are not accepted. Check off items from the inventory as they are unloaded, noting their condition. If an item appears to have been damaged or is missing, make a note on the inventory record and notify your destination agent.