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M O VI N G C H EC K L I S T
Your choice of mover can make a world of difference. Men That Move boast a solid reputation for
being dependable and caring. Every member of our staff has been professionally trained to meet our
stringent standards of quality performance.

Get an estimate
Decide, before the mover arrives, what you want to go and what you want to stay. If an entire
bedroom set is to be given away, you will not want the cost of moving it figured into the overall
estimate. Household moves are usually based on volume, the distance in travel and the size and
number of packing cartons and services you will need.
When the mover arrives to come and give you an estimate, you will want to do the following:
Obtain estimated moving costs.
Request a formal written quotation.
Determine how movers will pack fragile items (unless you prefer to pack them yourself)
Find out the provisions of the contract.
Verify insurance coverage (which you may need to supplement).
Determine whether the movers will help you disconnect the washer and dryer, stove, refrigerator,
freezer, television set and aerial, and air-conditioners. You will want to know now if you need to
make other arrangements.

Sorting things you dont want to take with you

You do not want to pack what you do not want to take with you, so start taking stock of all your
belongings. Sort everything into four groups:
Items to go with you
Items to give to friends or relatives
Items to give to charity
Items to throw out (If your children want to keep belongings that you want to throw out, do not
insist that they dothis will only make the move more difficult.)
If you plan to pack some your items yourself, bear in mind, that some movers will not take
responsibility for items they have not packed.
Fill all boxes to the top, to prevent items from bouncing around.
Try to distribute the weight within a carton evenly.
Use bedding and towels to cushion the contents of some of the boxes.

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Packing Tips
Start putting away items you are not using regularly such as good china, out-of-season clothing,
and the contents of your attic and basement.
Clean items before packing to save time when unpacking.
If possible, send rugs, drapes, and quilts to be cleaned. Keep a list of all that you send out so you
can be certain everything comes back.
Keep things that belong together in the same carton: pans with their lids, stationery with
envelopes, coffee pot with cord, stereo with associated plugs and wires, etc. Tape small articles
with masking tape, so they are not lost or thrown away when you unpack.
Pack books flat so their spines do not break, and put them in smaller cartons so they wont be too
heavy to lift. Add additional packing material to empty corners so the books will not slide around. It
is best to pack in the same carton books that will be shelved together.
CDs, cassettes, and music records should be stacked in small cartons and labelled so movers can
store them in the coolest part of the container.
Packers should pack lamps and remove bulbs before wrapping the base in a tower or blanket.
Shades can be nested inside one another and packed in a separate box. Use packing material
(not newspaper) to fill in extra space.
Do not add heavy linens to drawers of furniture.
Leave rugs, pictures, and mirrors in place. The movers are best prepared to pack and wrap these.
Hanging clothes are best moved in the moving companys wardrobe cartons.
Fold curtains and linens so they can be draped over a hanger. They too can be moved in a
wardrobe carton.
Provide each child with a moving box for special treasures, label it LOAD LAST, UNLOAD
FIRST.
Establish a box for those items you will need while moving and unpacking, and keep this box
handy so you can add to it as you pack.

Batteries
Can opener
Detergent
Flashlight
Hammer
Measuring tape
Napkins
Paper plates
Paper towels
Plastic cups
Plastic tableware
Plastic trash bags

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Pocket knife
Scissors
Screwdrivers (basic)
Snack food
Tissue
Toilet paper
Washcloths
Adhesive bandages
Allergy tablets, if needed
Antiseptic
Aspirin for adults and children
Other medication needed

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Number each box, then label it as to its contents and the room where it will go. Movers usually do
this for you, but you need to tell them to write specific information on the boxes and tell them not to
mix items that belong in another room.

To Do a Month in Advance
Start making a list of all the companies to which you will need to advise of your change of address
before you leave. You can send them a notice in several ways:
If you have a computer, do a mail-merge document to create a form letter.
Use standard post office change of address cards. If you have a computer, you can print labels to
make the job easier.
Fill in the change-of-address section of your bills or statements.
On your list, include the following and note the date you notified each company:

Associations
Banks
Building societies
Clubs
Credit card companies
Electoral register
Electricity company
Family doctor and dentist
Gas company
Hire purchase companies
Insurance companies
Landlord or real estate agent, if you are leasing an apartment
Library (return books)
Newspaper and magazine subscriptions
Retail stores accounts
RTA car vehicle registration
Schools
Taxation office
Telephone company
Water authority

Later, we will remind you in this checklist, to notify the post office of your forwarding address and give
you other instructions.
Confirm packing and moving dates.
Ask your veterinarian about animal tranquilliser and be sure all vaccination papers are in order.
Confirm where you will be staying the night after your old house is packed if your household move
is a very large one and the unpacking needs to be done the following day

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Begin to use up food from the refrigerator and freezer, and only re-stock with what you will need
during the next month.
Notify schools to forward transcripts or have them ready to take with you.
Visit your family doctor and dentist for a final check-up and get your immunisation injections (if
necessary). Gather medical and dental records for all members of the family. Be sure to collect all
information on allergies and special prescriptions, and request recent x-rays (both dental and
medical x-rays), as well as mammograms. Keep each persons records in a separate folder.
Collect baptism certificates, or any other records from the church or place of worship.
Collect original birth certificates, passports, and any other identification papers, and make a
photocopy as backup for your spouse. Keep them all together, categorised in a binder with clear
plastic protective pocket sheets.
Return all you have borrowed and collect all you have loaned out.

To Do TwoThree Weeks in Advance

Call your favourite charity for pick-up of items you want to give away.
Deliver or have picked up the items you plan to give to friends.
Arrange to have all utilities disconnected at your old home after departure. Plan the disconnection
for later than your moving date so you will not be without utilities. Then instruct the companies as
to where the final bill should be sent.
Disconnect:

Gas
Electricity
Water
Telephone
Internet

Contact the following home services you regularly use to let them know of your departure:
Newspaper
Others ..
Call your insurance agent for policy changes. Also, discuss any special coverage that might be
necessary during the move.

To Do One Week in Advance

Pick-up any items you might still have at the cleaners, laundry, or repair shop.
Go to the post office to:

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Have them forward all your mail to your office address or your new home address if you already
know it.
Send address change notices to your friends. Include your new telephone number, fax, and email address.
Arrange for a babysitter to look after the children on moving day if you feel they will get in the way
and you will get stressed out.
Confirm appointments with the exterminator, the cleaning team, or the window washer.
Pack suitcases with the clothing and items you will need during the move.
Mark DO NOT MOVE on any items you plan to take with you.

To Do Two Days in Advance

Tape shut the tops of bottles and items that might spill.
Type out directions to your new home for the movers, with instructions where to park, etc.
Empty and defrost the refrigerator and freezer. Let them air for 24 hours. Place baking soda inside
to deodorise.
When the movers arrive to pack any items you have requested, point out fragile items as well as
items not to be moved. Ideally, place stickers on items that should not be packed or moved.
As movers pack, work with movers by quickly checking the contents of each packed box. Label it
according to its new location (master bedroom, kitchen, study, etc.).
Finish packing personal items and double check hand-carry bag items.
Make a final inspection of your home to check for details that need to be taken care of before the
next day.
For the next morning, plan a simple breakfast that can be eaten on paper plates or better still,
plan to eat breakfast at a local restaurant!

Moving Day
Some movers will require 1 day to pack depending on the quantity of household goods that you are
shipping.
Strip the beds, but leave the bottom fitted sheets on mattresses and the bed assembled.
Have the vacuum handy to clean behind the refrigerator and elsewhere to leave the place in good
condition for the new owner or tenant.
Include your children in the days activities if you feel that they are worried, and that it would
alleviate their anxiety. Let them see that all their treasures are being packed with the rest of the
household belongings. Movers will generally let children visit the back of the van to see that

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indeed, everything is going. Perhaps a friend or babysitter can assist you with the childrens care,
particularly with meals etc.
As the movers are finishing, make a final tour of the house to be sure you have everything. Do not
forget the vacuum!
Check, sign, and save a copy of the packing slip. Be sure the address is correct!
Confirm delivery time.
If it is summer, turn the air-conditioning system off before leaving. If it is winter, turn the heater off.
Leave the keys with realtor, new occupant, or neighbour.
Make sure all the windows and doors are closed and locked, and the lights are switched off.

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H A N D C AR R Y I T E M S
Wallet
Drivers licence
Childrens special toy, stuffed animal, or security blanket
Copy of your packing/shipping slip
Copy of insurance policy
First-aid kit with required medication for family and pets
Hotel or temporary accommodations confirmation slip if unpacking the following day
Personal diary or address/contact book
Mobile phone

Contact Details
Men That Move
Call 1800 438 668 We move Anything !!
11/10-14 Lilian Fowler Place
Marrickville, NSW 2204
Email: info@menthatmove.com

Men That Move: Moving Checklist