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Moving Tips


Checklist For A Smooth Move


5 weeks before Move-Out Day


  • Take an objective look at what you own, and decide what can come with you and what can be left behind. Do you need those books you’ve read once and will never read again? That pan with the broken handle or the children’s long-neglected games? Remember – extra weight equals more money…
  • Sit down and start organizing your move. Make a list with three columns: items to leave behind, items for Joe’s Moving to move, and items you’ll move by yourself.
  • For each item you are not going to take with you, decide whether you will sell it, give it away to charity, or otherwise dispose of it before your move.
  • Modify your mailing address. Your post office will have change of address announcement cards to help you with this task.

4 weeks before Move-Out Day


  • Start including your children in the move-out planning. Have your kids do some of their own packing, and let them suggest layouts for their new room – make moving an exciting and fun prospect for them! Ask us for a “My Move” kit for children.
  • Start collecting suitable containers and packing materials if you plan to carry out any part of the packing yourself. You can obtain these materials for a reasonable fee from your Arpin Van Lines agent.
  • Ask us for a helpful “Do-It-Yourself Packing Guide.”
  • It is a good idea to let us do most of the packing. That’s what we do for a living, so we know the proven methods for keeping items safe.

3 weeks before Move-Out Day


  • Talk to your moving company to determine how much of the packing you will handle yourself, if any. Leave the big items to us. Because our packers are specially trained professionals, it is a good idea to let us do everything within our power to ensure the safety of your possessions.
  • Make sure you notify the moving company if you add items to or remove items from your planned household goods shipment, or if the date of your move changes.
  • If you have young children, arrange for a babysitter to watch them on moving day. While you concentrate your efforts on the move, a sitter can keep your children occupied and make sure they remain safe during the busy loading process.
  • You will need to carry any valuable jewelry with you. If you have hidden any valuables around the house, make sure to collect them before leaving.
  • Some state laws prohibit the moving of houseplants. Consider giving your plants to a friend or a local charity.
  • While sorting through your belongings, remember to return any library books and anything else you may have borrowed. Also remember to collect all items that are being cleaned, stored or repaired (clothing, shoes, furs, watches, etc.)
  • Since you will want to have your utilities (electricity, gas, phone line, etc.) still connected on moving day, make arrangements to have them disconnected from your current home after your scheduled move-out.
  • Likewise, call ahead to have all utilities connected at your new home by the day of your scheduled move-in.

2 weeks before Move-Out Day


  • Make your final packing decisions. Start preparing for the moving of any items you don’t use often. Clean and clear your home, including closets, basements and attics.
  • Dispose of any flammables and other hazardous materials and substances, such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, paint, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killers.
  • Plan meals to finish up the food stored in your refrigerator and freezer.
  • Have your automobile serviced if you intend to travel by car.
  • Transfer all your current prescriptions to a drugstore in your new town.
  • Thousands of people leave town without clearing out their safety deposit boxes. Don’t be one of them. Call your bank to find out how to transfer your bank accounts, as well.
  • Drain all the oil and gasoline from your lawnmower and power tools to ensure safe transportation. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions.

1 week before Move-Out Day


  • This is your week to tie up loose ends. Check the Move Planner again to make sure you have not overlooked anything.
  • Once again, make sure your utilities will be disconnected from your present home after you leave and connected in your future home before you arrive.
  • Take the “Do Not Load” stickers from the back of the Move Planner and place them on all the things you want to take directly with you. Then, since the last items loaded are the first ones unloaded, put the “Load Last” stickers on things that you will need to use as soon as you get to your new home. The “Fragile” stickers should be placed on items that need special care.
  • Pack your suitcases and confirm your personal travel arrangements (flights, hotel, rental cars, etc.) for your family. Try to keep your plans as flexible as possible in the event of an unexpected schedule change or delay.
  • Make sure your agent knows the address and phone number where you can be reached until you get into your new home.
  • Make sure to empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator and freezer and to clean your stove at least 24 hours before moving so as to let them air out. Try using baking soda to get rid of any lingering odors.
  • Prepare a “Trip Kit” for moving day. This kit should contain the things you will need while your belongings are in transit.

Move-Out Day


  • Strip your beds, and make sure the bedding goes into a “Load Last” box.
  • Make sure to be on hand when the movers arrive, and plan to stay around while they unload in case they have any questions. In the event you cannot be there personally, be sure to authorize an adult to be your representative to accept the delivery and pay the charges for you. Inform the destination agent of your chosen representative’s name. Your representative will be asked to take note of any change in the condition of your goods noted on the inventory at the time of loading, and of any items missing at the time of delivery. Ensure that your chosen representative knows exactly what to do, and which valuation program and amount you have selected. Remember – this person may be asked to sign documents obligating you to pay charges.
  • Confirm the delivery date and time at your new address. Write the directions to your new home for the van operator, provide the new phone number, and include phone numbers allowing to reach you while in transit.
  • When the van operator arrives, review all details and paperwork. Accompany the driver as he or she inspects and tags each piece of furniture with an identifying number. These numbers, along with a detailed description of your goods and their condition at the time of loading, will appear on the inventory document.
  • It is your responsibility to see to it that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until the loading is completed and the last item is packed. Make a final inspection before you sign any paperwork (inventory, bill of lading, etc.)
  • Since you will probably want to clean your new home before the furniture is unloaded, make sure your vacuum is packed last, so it can be unloaded first.
  • The van operator will contact you or the destination agent 24 hours prior to the expected arrival time. This allows for some time to locate you and make arrangements for the unloading. If for some reason you cannot be reached, it is then your responsibility to contact the destination agent.
  • Have the payment for your moving charges on hand. Unless other billing arrangements were made in advance, payment is required upon delivery in cash, traveler’s checks, money order or cashier’s check. Personal checks are not accepted.
  • Check to make sure the utilities at your new home have been connected, and follow up on any delays.
  • Make sure your new phone is connected. Ideally, you should have the phone company hook it up the day before.

Move-In Day


  • Confine your pets to a room out of everyone’s way to help keep them from running away or becoming agitated by all of the activity.
  • It is a good idea to review your floor plan so you can tell the movers where to place your furniture and appliances. Plan ahead to be available to direct them as they unload.
  • To prevent possible damage, televisions, stereos, computers, as well as other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery, giving them time to adjust to the new room temperature.

Packing Tips


Over 40 million Americans will be “packing it up and taking it to the road” as they move to new homes this year. With fragile keepsakes and valuable household goods to keep in mind, proper packing techniques become essential. If you decide to pack your shipment yourself, plan ahead to have at least six weeks to pack and get ready for your move. Below are some suggestions:


  • Before you start packing, determine the items you want to throw away, give away or sell. Moving is a good time to get rid of items you no longer need. You will save money and have less objects to pack and unpack. Give yourself enough time to make these decisions.
  • Don’t just start packing – plan how you will pack. Pack items you seldom use first. Pack items of similar size and weight together. Don’t make any carton too heavy to easily lift.
  • Always use proper packing cartons and wrapping materials. Use professional packing tape: a wide, strong tape that may be clear or brown. Masking tape is not strong enough to support the weight of a fully packed carton. Tape all cartons closed on the top and the bottom – don’t just fold the end flaps closed. Use crumpled, unprinted newspaper when packing items into boxes.
  • Label the contents of each box on the outside of it, along with the room to which it should be delivered once you arrive to your new home. When packing fragile items, clearly mark “fragile” on the outside of the box, with arrows on the sides to indicate the correct upright position.

Indicate boxes holding essential items (such as cooking utensils, bedding, linens and toiletries) that need to be opened first by writing “open first” on the box. Make sure these are the last boxes to be loaded onto the moving van.

Certain possessions require specific care during the packing process. The following are some of the basic packing techniques used by Arpin Van Lines packing professionals:

China
Wrap each item separately in unprinted newspaper, and use a specially partitioned box, such as a “dishpak”.

Stemware
First, wrap the stems for extra protection; then wrap each glass individually and place it upside-down in a partitioned box.

Mirrors and glass-covered photos/artwork
Place a series of masking tape Xes on the glass to help strengthen it, then cushion the item with a generous amount of clean paper and place it in a flat package or a telescoping carton.

Silverware
Nest utensils in groups of three or four, wrap securely and place in silver chest or cushioned box.

Lamp shades
Handle shades only by the wire frames; place in large boxes. Shades can be nested together in one box if separated by clean paper.

Clothes
Clothes can be folded and boxed. For faster unpacking, you can obtain special wardrobe boxes from your mover, allowing you to neatly pack your clothes without removing them from their hangers.

Small appliances, computers, stereo equipment
If possible, pack small appliances, computers, stereo equipment and VCRs in their original boxes. Otherwise, cushion them with crumpled packing paper. Tape down moving parts, such as turntable tonearms.

Glass jars and bottles
Pack glass jars and bottles in bubble wrap or several layers of paper. Secure stoppers or lids with masking tape. Do not move flammable items.

Statuettes, figurines, curios
Wrap generously in bubble pack, then in a layer of clean paper, and pack in boxes with plenty of crumpled paper or foam peanuts in-between items. Objects with delicate appendages, such as candelabras or figurines with extended arms, require more bubble wrap and should be surrounded with extra packing material.

Record albums, tapes, CDs
Stack these items together so they can absorb shocks with less chance of damage. Pack tightly to ensure they are secure and cannot shift.

Antiques, delicate furniture
Movers can supply specially-made crates to secure and ship fragile items and antiques.


Moving Terms Glossary


While most people do not move often enough to become familiar with the language movers use, knowing a few basic terms will make it easier to work with your moving company in order to set up a move that is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Here are a few terms that will help you understand your mover:

Accessorial services
Accessorial services include any moving services other than the actual transportation of the customer’s goods. They include packing, unpacking and extra pickup, and are performed by the carrier at the customer’s request. Additional charges apply for these services.

Agent
An agent is an affiliated moving company authorized to act on behalf of a van line. The agent may handle the booking, the hauling, as well as the origin and/or destination services.

Auxiliary service
An auxiliary service (shuttle) is used if the assigned over-the-road van is unable to make a normal pickup or delivery due to physical constraints (extremely narrow road, inadequate parking area for the truck, weak bridge, etc.). An auxiliary service is the use of a secondary, smaller vehicle to complete the pickup or delivery. Charges for this service are based on the weight of the shipment and the area where the service is performed.

Bill of Lading
The Bill of Lading is a list of the goods to be moved in the form of a receipt. It is also a contract that authorizes the transportation: the customer’s signature acknowledges that the household goods can be loaded onto the van and “released to the carrier.”

Booking Agent
The booking agent accepts the order for the customer’s move and registers it with the van line. The booking agent may or may not be the origin or destination agent.

Bulky Articles
Bulky articles include large and heavy items such as boats, snowmobiles, golf carts and campers. An extra charge is usually associated with these items in order to compensate the hauler for the difficulty of loading and unloading them, as well as for their unusual weight and size.

Carrier
The carrier is the moving company providing transportation for the household goods, under whose Department of Transportation registration the shipment is moved.

Claim
A claim is a statement of loss or damage of any household goods while in the care, custody or control of the carrier or its affiliated agent.

C. O. D. (cash on delivery)
C. O. D. (cash on delivery) shipments are those where the customer pays the moving charges at the time of the delivery. For C. O. D. shipments, payment is required in cash or by traveler’s check, money order or cashier’s check. If a credit card is used, an arrangement must be made ahead of time with the booking agent, as authorization is required prior to loading.

Consignee
The consignee is the person to whom the shipment is to be delivered.

Customer
The customer is the person whose household goods are being moved.

Department of Transportation (DOT)
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is the federal agency which, through its Surface Transportation Board, governs the interstate transportation industry, including movers of household goods.

Destination Agent
The destination agent is the agent designated in the destination area to be available to assist or provide information to the customer or the van operator regarding the shipment.

Estimate
An estimate is an approximation of the probable cost of the move based on factors such as the van space required, the weight of the household goods and the origin and destination of the shipment. There are two basic types of estimates: binding and non-binding.


  • With a binding estimate, the customer knows in advance what the move will cost (excluding required destination services) regardless of variances in the actual weight (as long as the inventory of the items actually moved is the same as the estimate inventory, and additional services are not requested.)
  • A non-binding estimate is based on an inventory of the customer’s household goods and provides the customer with a pricing guideline. There is no contractual commitment to this estimate, and the final charges the customer must pay could be higher or lower than the estimated costs, depending on the actual weight of the shipment, the actual services provided and the origin and destination of the shipment.

Gross Weight
The gross weight is the weight of the van and all of its contents after the goods are loaded.

High-Value Inventory
A high-value inventory is used for items of “extraordinary value”, such as antiques, coin collections and jewelry, included in the shipment. Items worth over $100 per pound per article are considered to be of extraordinary value.

Inventory
The inventory is a detailed list of the items in the shipment and their condition before the van is loaded. The van operator will present the inventory to the customer after the van is loaded and again when the shipment reaches the customer’s new home. The customer’s signature on the inventory acknowledges that the goods have been delivered in the same condition as when received by the mover for transportation.

Net Weight
Net weight is the gross weight minus the tare weight (weight of the empty vehicle).

Non-Allowables
Non-allowables are items that should not be included in the household goods shipment, including hazardous materials such as poisons, corrosives and flammables. Unless special arrangements are made, perishables such as refrigerated and frozen foods are not allowed either. The moving of all non-allowables is prohibited by law.

Order for Service
The Order for Service is a document authorizing the moving company to transport the customer’s household goods.

Order Number
An order number is used to identify the customer’s shipment and appears on the upper right corner of the Order for Service and the Bill of Lading. This number should be used whenever the carrier is contacted.

Origin Agent
An origin agent is the agent designated in the origin area to be available for the preliminary readying of the shipment before the move, or to provide information regarding the move to the customer.

Origin and Destination Service Charge
The Origin and Destination Service Charge is a hundredweight rate that applies based on the weight of the shipment and the locations where the shipment is picked up and delivered; it compensates the carrier for the basic handling and servicing of the shipment.

Overflow
Overflow happens when articles to be shipped are left behind due to insufficient space in the primary van. A second van is then utilized for their transportation and delivery.

PBO (Packed By Owner)
PBO (packed by owner) means that the articles are packed for moving by the customer rather than by the moving company.

Storage-In-Transit
A storage-in-transit is a temporary storage of the customer’s household goods in the warehouse of the carrier’s agent, pending further transportation at a later date.

Survey
A survey is performed by an agent and consists in an examination of the customer’s goods to be transported. The objective of the survey is to develop an estimate of move charges.

Tare weight
Refers to the weight of the van and its contents before the customer’s goods are loaded.

Tariff
A tariff is the carrier’s provisions (including rates) for services performed, applicable to the customer’s move.

Third-Party Services
Third-party services are performed by someone other than the carrier at the customer’s request or as required by federal, state or local law (e.g., appliance servicing).

Unpacking
“Unpacking” consists in removing the customer’s goods from their containers and placing them on a flat surface, as well as disposing of said containers and other packing materials. If ordered, unpacking service must be performed at the time of the delivery unless requested otherwise.

Valuation
Valuation is NOT insurance. It is a tariff-based coverage for a customer’s household goods while they are in the care, custody and control of the carrier.