GET ORGANIZED

Use a floor plan sheet to try different furniture arrangements. Anything that doesn't fit in, like custom-built shelves or cabinets, should probably be sold or given to family, friends or good will. Make sure your furniture will fit through doorways and up stairs. It's better to find out about possible problems prior to your move rather than when you arrive at your new home.

Drapes and Rugs

Find out the dimensions of your new home's windows and floors before you pack up drapes and rugs. If they won't fit where you want them, leave them behind. For those you do choose to move, have them cleaned early and leave the wrappings on for extra protection on moving day.

Kitchen Supplies

There may be many things you've forgotten about high up in the cabinets, at the back of the shelves. Consider whether you want to take items you don't use. All canned goods and frozen foods should be used now. If you have extra perishables, consider giving them to your local food bank.

Clothes

The general rule of thumb is that if you haven't worn something for two years, you probably never will. That doesn't mean you should get rid of your wedding dress, but there are probably a lot of other clothes you should give to Good Will or a local homeless shelter.

Outdoor Equipment

If swing sets, barbecues, picnic tables, lawn mowers and TV antennas are in good shape and you'll use them in your new home, take them. Otherwise, find out if the new owners or your neighbors are interested in buying them.

Other Areas

The attic, cellar and garage may contain things you haven't even looked at for years. Consider calling in someone who knows antiques if you find old furniture or other household items tucked away in these areas. They might be valuable. After you finish sorting, take stock of those items you aren't going to move. If you give them to a local charity, be sure to get a receipt for tax purposes. If you have many items of decent quality, consider a yard sale. It takes time and effort, but it can be profitable.

PACKING

• Valuables such as securities, furs, jewelry, coin or stamp collections and legal papers should not go into the moving van. Take them with you or make arrangements for their shipment by a traceable, insurable carrier, such as UPS or FedEx. Irreplaceable items that have little insurable value, such as baby pictures or your grandfather's pocket watch, should travel with you.
• Write the room name on all sides of each box you pack. Once you've finished packing a box, write a description of the contents on the outside so you can find things without opening every box. Incorrect packing is a prime cause of damage. The box should weigh no more than 50 pounds and the contents should not shift when moved. The sides shouldn't bulge, and the top should close without caving in. Use paper to fill empty spots.
• The heavier the items, the smaller the box should be. Keep this in mind when you're packing books, CDs, tapes, etc.
• To protect breakable items, don't mix them with heavy items, and cushion them well.
• The bottom of each box needs a layer of crumpled paper, with additional cushioning layers in the middle and on top.
• Fragile items can be given extra protection by boxing them individually before packing. Use "fragile" stickers to mark the outside of appropriate boxes. If a box must be kept right side up, indicate that on the outside with the stickers marked "This end up." Stickers are available at no charge from Paul Arpin.

New Home Supplies

Before you pack any rooms, take a few boxes and mark them "New Home Supplies." These will be a lifesaver when you arrive at your new home. Here is a basic list:

• Bedrooms and Baths – sheets, pillows, blankets, shower curtains and hooks, light bulbs, fuses, candles, alarm clock and towels.
• Toiletries – bar soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and paste, and toilet paper.
• First Aid Kit – aspirin, tweezers, adhesive bandages, antiseptics and prescriptions.
• Household/Kitchen Supplies – bottled water, paper cups, plates, utensils, trash bags, paper towels, liquid soap, coffee maker and tea kettle.
• Tools – flashlight, hammer, pliers, screwdriver, wrench, scissors, utility knife, thumbtacks, nails and screws.
• Personal – change of clothing for everybody, baby needs and pet supplies.

The Kitchen

The busiest room in the house is usually left until last to pack. Start with all those things you rarely use – special china, the Thanksgiving platter, the big coffee urn. Get together your dishtowels and pot holders and use them for extra padding.

We strongly recommend that you purchase the special cartons designed to protect dishes. Pack plates standing on their edge – never flat. Nest bowls, cups and glasses after wrapping. Fill any empty spaces with appropriate packing material.

Think twice before you move any opened food containers. With spices and grains, first consider their age. If you must take open containers, tape them shut securely and enclose them in plastic bags before packing.

Appliances

Appliances should be clean, dry and disconnected for moving day. Defrost and air freezers and refrigerators, and contact the gas company to disconnect any gas appliances. You are responsible for the actual disconnecting and reconnecting of all appliances. Put appliance operating instructions in a special place, otherwise, they could be misplaced.

The Dining Room

Delicate crystal, china and bric-a-brac need extra protection. Consider boxing some things up before putting them in packing containers. If you seal napkins and tablecloths in plastic bags, you can use them for additional padding. Make sure everything is snug, and mark the boxes with "Fragile" stickers.

If you have fine silver, avoid discoloration by making sure it's clean, and don't wrap it with rubber bands. If you have a case for it, fill in all the empty spaces with soft cloth or tissue, seal it shut with wrapping paper and tape and then wrap it in toweling. Otherwise, wrap each piece in soft cloth or special silver paper before packing. This will protect it from tarnish and scratches.

The Living Room / Family Room

Mirrors and framed pictures should be packed in special cartons available from your Golden Services representative. Lamps should be taken apart, bulbs removed, and the shade wrapped carefully and boxed. Use the right size box and don't use newspaper for packing. Use as little paper as possible to avoid denting. Dried flower arrangements should get the same treatment as lampshades, and make sure you label the boxes with "This end up" stickers.

Electronic equipment should be moved in original packing cartons when available. Secure all parts prior to packing. If you are moving in the summer, certain items can be damaged by the heat, such as candles, CDs, records, tapes and floppy disks. Consider taking them yourself, or shipping them in a way that will reduce transit time.

The Bedroom

Clothing can either be folded and packed or hung in wardrobe "closets" available from Golden Services. Try to keep out-of-season or special occasion clothes together. When unpacking, you'll be able to leave those for last.

Dresser drawers may be packed with lightweight clothing if the dresser is sturdy, but remove any liquids or breakable items first.

Strip beds completely, but leave them assembled. They will be dismantled by the moving crews and reassembled at your new home. If you have a waterbed, empty it prior to the move. Toiletries that are flammable or aerosol containers cannot be moved in the van.

Storage Areas

Before you move anything that's been in a storage area, clean it well and make sure it's in sound condition. Drain garden hoses and empty and wash any plant containers or garden equipment using soap and water. You don't want to risk moving insects or disease.

Gasoline-powered equipment, such as lawn mowers, motorcycles or snow blowers must be emptied of all fuel and oil a few days before the move to assure complete evaporation. Propane tanks also must be purged and certified before loading. If your car is being transported, it should have less than a 1/4 tank of fuel to allow for expansion.

ITEMS WE CANNOT MOVE

By law, there are some items van lines are not allowed to move, so be sure you don't pack them. Flammables, explosives and corrosives, ammunition and firearms, fireworks or flares, gasoline, kerosene, motor fuel and lamp oil, oil based paints, thinners and varnishes, lighter or starter fluids, fire extinguishers, nail polish remover, bleach, sterno, aerosol cans and matches can't be transported.

MOVING DAY

• Moving day will be hectic. Plan ahead to make the day easier for you. If you have young children or pets, you may want to consider asking family, friends or neighbors to sit for them. Be sure that your telephone and electricity remain on until loading has been completed.
  
  
• When your Golden Services crew arrives, take them through the house. Point out any items not to be moved, and those designated as “New Home Supplies.” Make sure any boxes not to be moved are clearly marked. Your driver will tag items and note their condition on an inventory sheet which you have to sign.
  
  
• This inventory sheet is very important, so take the time to read it carefully. Make sure everything is on the list and that you understand and agree with any notations concerning the pre-existing condition of your belongings. Be sure to note it on the inventory sheet if you don’t agree, and initial your comment.
  
  
• Along with the inventory sheet, check over the bill of lading, especially the transit protection or declaration of value section, and make sure they’re filled out correctly before you sign them. Then keep your copies of these papers with you in a safe and accessible place. You must have them with you when the van arrives at your new home.
  
  
• Before the Golden Services crew leaves, make sure the driver has the correct address of your new home, as well as a phone number where he can reach you or leave a message. If your plans change after the crew has left, contact Golden Services immediately. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule.
  
  
• As you get ready to leave, walk through the house one last time to make sure nothing has been left behind. Turn off the lights and leave your name and address behind for the new owners. That way they can forward any mail that the post office misses.
  
  
• Also, double check your payment arrangements prior to the van arriving. Personal checks cannot be accepted, so plan ahead. On interstate moves, Golden Services accepts most major credit cards that have been pre-approved for service charges.

The Van Has Arrived

Unloading the Van
The Golden Services crew will do their best to keep things running smoothly, but they'll need your help. Try to keep young children occupied with some activity out of the line of traffic, and put your pets in an isolated room with food, water and bedding. Post a note reminding everybody to keep that door shut. Otherwise your pet could get injured or lost.

When the moving van pulls up to your new home, the crew will be ready to go. The moving charges have to be paid before they can begin to unload. Once that has been taken care of, you should take the crew on a tour of your new home. It's helpful if you put a note on each door – "Sue's Bedroom," "Study," etc. – so boxes will end up where they belong. Let the movers know exactly where you want things to be put; they'll be happy to oblige.

As the movers begin to take your furniture and boxes off the truck, stay nearby with your inventory sheet. Check off each item as it's unloaded and be sure to note any damage. If anything is missing, note that too. Once everything has been moved in, go over the inventory list with the movers. If anything is missing or damaged, contact us immediately at (800) 343-3500, and we will send out the necessary forms so your claim can be processed quickly.

Settling In
Once the movers have left, don't be overwhelmed. Open your "New Home Supplies" boxes, and start with the easy jobs. If you have a pet, make sure all doors and windows are closed before you let it explore the new house. Don't take your pet outdoors without a leash until you've checked your yard for hidden exits.

Remember, it takes a while to settle into a new home. If you first take care of the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms, things will be easier. Keep going back to your "New Home Supplies" boxes. You'll find most of the tools and equipment you'll need to get your house in order. Try new furniture arrangements, but don't hang your pictures and mirrors right away. Otherwise, you'll have holes in your walls if you change your mind later.

Take the time to get to know your neighborhood and your neighbors. Slowly but surely, you'll get all the boxes unpacked and everything put away. Within a few weeks, you'll have turned your new house into a home!