Myke Gibbs -Your Source for Premier Southern California Estates

Prior to Moving:

• Acquire a Mail Forwarding Kit from the U.S.P.S.  or your local mover or YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT ! - Fill this out and get your mail forwarded to the New Home without delay (usually takes a while for them to initiate)
• Get an Estimate from a Reputable Mover (or three) Arrange the Time and Date with the Mover and have payment scheduled (adequate cash or a certified check set aside if necessary) for the time of the move.
• Clean the New Home Before Moving in.  Hire a housekeeper or do it yourself, but it is much easier to clean an empty house.
• Packing , on an hourly move, (within the state -under 100 miles - moves usually go at an hourly rate) anything you do to save the Movers/Packers time - saves you money.  Acquire packing supplies and get started.  If selling the home that your moving out of, your REALTOR probably had you pack up most of your "Clutter" items already.  BE SURE TO CLEARLY MARK BOXES-This may seem very time consuming at the time, but will prove priceless later. -Trust Me !
• Specialty Items : Remember Movers Cannot, By-Law, sell Insurance.  They are mandated through the P.U.C. Max4 tarriff to provide :  ".60 cents per pound per article Protective Coverage", This may be inadequate for family heirlooms or Piccasso's.  Certain Items may require "Insurance" through an outside provider, may be covered by your homeowners insurance, or may best be moved in the safety of your own vehicle.
• Washer and Dryer Hookups : Check at your NEW home to see if your Hook-Ups are compatable with your current W. & D. (make sure dryer runs on 110 or 220 or Gas) and make sure that you have that available at your new location.
• Utilities:  Organize a separate "shirt pocket" phone list of all of your Utilities for your New and Old residences. Keep it handy and Turn On your Services at the New home prior to Moving in.  It may take Cable or Satellite companies longer to initiate services so, get them activated early. 
• Arrange for Child and Pet care for the Day of Moving.  Consider the Weather.  Children and Pets hinder movers and Time is Money.
• Pack Clothing that will be needed for the whole family for a couple of days into familiar Luggage.  While most movers loan "wardrobe boxes" for the move this will keep you looking your best (and in clean sox and underwear) when the rest of your clothes may seem lost in an ocean of boxes later.
• Plants,  Movers are not supposed to transport anything LIVING: This means PLANTS,ANIMALS or PEOPLE, if you are a huge lover of indoor plants, be prepared,  your movers will probably ask you to put them in the backseat with your kitty-kennel.

 Day of the Move

• Pets to kennel or neighbor (or back of your pickup truck) -  kids to Grandparents or babysitter or...
• Refrigerator and freezer contents into Ice Chests to be transported without being spoiled.
• Payment :  Arrange with your mover for type of payment Cashiers Check, Cash or ... and have ready.
• Stay Available : If you must leave during any part of your move - keep in contact with the Movers -via cell phone or contact person.  Just because you marked all of the boxes when you were packing, the Movers may not know which room is "Suzie's Bedroom".  While it is good to stay out of the way, movers need instruction as to where you want your belongings placed for Your future convenience.
• Washer and Dryer: Anything that you do to save movers time, will save you money.  If you unhook your own w & D (1st shut off the hot and cold water and gas - at the wall)  and remember to stash the hoses into the dryer, then you will have them all come time for the reinstall.  
• Lunch: Movers are people too, and that's some physical work.  If you are able, it may save you unloading later into the night if you go grab the guys some burgers or have a couple of pizza's delivered.  This will keep the movers from taking a long lunch break and endear them to you and your belongings!
• Before driving to your new home the movers will have you initial the paperwork confirming timing and condition of items.  If you have a difficult to find new home, have them follow you.  With the promise of Lunch during the unload - I bet they don't get lost.  If you must rush ahead, try and provide a map.  Either way, realize that they are driving a Big Slow Truck with all of your Mirrors, Lamps and Fragile Belongings.  They must drive slower than most other vehicles to appropriately care for your belongings.

Emotions

• While Moving, Try to avoid looking at every picture in every album, You won't get anything done.
• This is a Nerve Racking Time; Remember that just like you at your job, these guys are professionals, while they may need you to be available to answer "Does this go or stay?" or "Which room do you want these boxes in?"  - They definately don't like people looking over their shoulder and critiquing their technique.  While this is normal human behavior when someone is carrying your family heirlooms, try to avoid it.  No one works well under a microscope, no matter how good you are. 
• Breakage:  Breakage occurs to items when they are moved or when other things hit them.  Like during an EARTHQUAKE or a MOVE.  Most of your things have been sitting for quite some time.  While nothing is going to be thrown at them, they are ALL about to be moved.  Try to be patient.  again, WHEN THINGS GET MOVED, IT IS THE GREATEST LIKELYHOOD THAT THEY HAVE HAD IN A LONG TIME TO BE BROKEN. 
• -don't freak out.  If you have something priceless, it should have been in your car's trunk already and it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to move EVERYTHING that you own without some damage.  (FACT)  There is a time and place for everything.  The time to deal with damage is While the truck is being Loaded, while the movers are filling out what is called an "INVENTORY" sheet.  On this they describe the condition of each item that they transport.  ie...  "Piano   sc, m, d, 11,7 3"   (This means that your 2007 Steinway is scratched marred and dented on all sides-including the loose legs) so pay attention to the inventory sheet and descriptions on the important pieces.  At the end of the unload when paying the movers is the time to address any damage.
• Note: at the end of a move with good movers, overall, your items are usually in better condition than they were before you moved.  Your loose table legs are mysteriously tight,  your previously loose mirror is firmly attached to the back of your bedroom dresser, and your previously leaky hookup at your washing machine has been firmly secured with "Plumber's Tape" from the mover's toolbox.  So although moving is a very emotional time, Keep your cool, relax - you've hired professionals (don't expect a suit & tie) start with respect and see how far you all get.

Unload

• Driveway: Have your driveway or parking for the movers clear of vehicles,  garbage cans, bicycles and ready for the Moving Van.
• Unlock:   and open all doors and gates, Open the garage door.  You will probably already know the best way for your large items to be brought in through the "Rear sliding glass door" or front double door entry...
• Air Conditioning:  on a Hot day...Turn on the A.C. , fans...-even if the doors and windows are open, every little bit helps ! - Be Humane.
• Walkways: have all walkways in and outside free and clear of obsticles such as extention cords, floor mats, toys or other neck breakers.  Often when carrying things or walking backward with a dolly, you cannot see where you are stepping.
• Music:  Calms the savage beast in each of us... and we all work a little smoother with Tunes !  Turn on a portable radio to something everyone likes (you and your movers) and position the radio out of the way..i.e.  on a garage shelf or...
• Anything that you do to save them time, saves you money.  While some movers may CHARGE EXTRA if you help (this usually depends on YOUR demeanor)  If you help by carrying lamps or stereo components or bicycles or yard tools... the movers don't have to, the move goes faster and You Save Money. 
• Bad Back:  If your bad back is why you didn't rent a U-Haul in the first place and you cannot, for some reason, assist with the unload.  Try to stay out of the way.  Imagine you are the mover and an older lady repeatedly stops in doorways to open a box and look at a photo album.  Now whose fault is it that the Move Lasted SOOO Long resulting in more expen$e.
• Decide Once and For All:  Try and have a set place for each item in your new home.  If you have them movers re-arrange the room after they have unloaded pieces into a room REALIZE that you are paying them by the hour to move things twice..."I think the couch would look better over there...move those boxes (again) and see how that looks..."  - Unload once and save $.
• Refrigerator:  The fridge is usually one of the larger items, so it is usually fairly deep in the truck by the "Attick" however, as soon as it is able to be unloaded, get it plugged in and YOU begin placing your items back in there from your ice chest!  Since the kitchen is usually a low traffic area during a move, that person is constructive while out of the way.
• Washer and Dryer:  While they don't have to, Most movers can and will hook up your washer and dryer, if you ask.  However, Most movers will just place it in it's new parking place and finish the unload, unless you ask, nicely :)            (remember to have plumber's tape on hand to reattach the hot and cold water and probably the gas line too.)  - If you planned well, all your connections; dryer exhaust hose, water hoses, dryer gas line are in your dryer!
• Moving Pads:  You may see the movers folding their moving pads and stacking them during the unload.  This is standard practice, since they did not arrive at your place of origin with an unruly pile in the back of the truck, it is only fitting that they are prepared nicely for the move which is probably right after their they are done with you.
• Settle up:  After the Unload is complete, it is time to address the payment.  If you calculated the time x the rate you already know what you owe.  This is where you can address any/all damage resulting from the move
• Damage:  Remember, movers cannot settle claims, they're movers.  Each company has a Claims person who you must contact and be advised ; most movers will not discuss resolution of claims with you if you have an outstanding invoice.  Additionally Movers cannot sell insurance, however they must provide what is called "Protective Coverage" which is limited to .60 cents per pound per article.  Not much.  So again, it's probably smart to put that Picasso in the back seat of the Cadillac.

Tips

• Gratuities:  Tipping movers is as common as tipping waitresses, but they generally deserve much, much more.  If you have ever seen Anyone out-work a mover, please have him give me a call.

This is not intended to be legal advise

for questions or quotes please contact a local reputable mover

This Page Sponsored in part by:

 *Only Way Movers, Inc. *

www.onlywaymoversinc.com 

Specialists in Household and Commercial Goods Moving

*Professional Packers

*Professional Movers

*Packing Supplies

Jim or David  (626) 965-6632 

"Proudly Serving all of Southern California for over 20 Years !"

references available upon request 

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