News and Events
A Stress Free Move
Once you have made the decision to relocate, you should begin by telling all family members, friends and associates of the expected move. Inform them of the reasons for the move and answer all questions honestly and openly. The support of your family and friends during the pre move period will be invaluable and by telling them well in advance relieves the stress of answering questions at inopportune times.
You will want to be enthusiastic about your move as you provide your children with information about their new environment like the house and neighborhood, the schools, the social events, the parks and recreation, and the weather. This will help alleviate their stress by providing them essential information about the move.
Decide when to Move
The decision of when to move may involve several factors:
The sale of your house.
Availability of your new house.
The Job assignments/time frames.
The School year.
Other major commitments.
The best time to move is when it is most convenient for all family members.
The summer months are usually the busiest for most moving companies. If you schedule your move during the off-season it could get you more attention to your needs and time requirements. Moving during the school year - a mid-term move can be an advantage to your children. It would give them exposure by meeting new friends which in turn would help them adapt to the new neighborhood.
Decide how to move
Moving yourself is the least expensive way to go. You will need to consider the cost of a professional mover compared to your time, energy and patience in moving yourself. The stress factor alone may well be worth hiring a professional mover.
If you decide to hire a professional mover, start by contacting several reputable companies. Ask about rates, available services, insurance coverage, extra charges for special handling and claims processing. Get written estimates based on approximate weight and volume of your belongings and the distance to be traveled. Check with references to determine the company’s record for customer satisfaction.
If your new house will not be immediately available, most moving companies can provide short-term storage of your household goods. Ask about the security precautions and storage conditions at the warehouse facilities. Again, obtain a written estimate on the rates.
How Long Will It Take?
The time frame will depend on whether you pack and move yourself, do the packing yourself and hire a professional company to do the moving, or simply let the movers do it all. In any case, the sooner you get started, the better. Self-packing can take several days or several weeks, depending on your available time and amount of goods.
On the other hand, professional moving companies can complete the task of packing and moving in a matter of days. However, it is to your advantage to contact the moving company as early as possible to schedule your move. Even if the company will be handling the packing, there are many other details for you to coordinate. Allow yourself six to eight weeks to complete all arrangements before you move.
Moving With Pets
Moving companies are not permitted to handle the shipment of pets. You will need to explore alternatives for shipping your pet/s. Most airlines can accomodate the care and handling of live animals. Contact them for specific details of this service and rates.
If you plan to take your pet with you in a vehicle, check with your veterinarian for hints that could make the trip more enjoyable for both you and your pet. Before moving, be sure licenses and all vaccinations are up-to-date. You will want to call ahead at planned overnight stops to check on whether pets are allowed.
About Live Plants
Live plants are difficult to pack and may have to survive several days without light and water. Moving companies will not guarantee the condition of plants that are shipped.
Many states have interstate restrictions on the transportation of plants, and even prohibit some varieties. You may want to consider finding a good home locally for your plants, then replace them in your new home.
Garage Sale
Now is a great time to get rid of all those unnecessary things you accumulated - things you no longer want or need - and bring in a little extra cash at the same time. A garage sale is not hard to prepare for and can be fun.
Enlist the help of the whole family in organizing and pricing your merchandise. Perhaps you could arrange a joint sale with a few neighbors. Advertise the sale in your local paper and with signs placed around the neighborhood. Be prepared to bargain and drop prices, if necessary, to clear out your inventory. Make arrangements with a local charity to collect all the leftover items after the sale.
Tax Deductible Moving Expenses
Many of the expenses connected with moving may be tax deductible, if the move is job related. Some of these expenses include:
The cost of moving your household goods Expenses incurred while house-hunting
Travel expenses during the move for you and your family
The cost of meals and temporary lodging 30 days after new Job
The expenses of selling your house and buying a new one
To substantiate your claim, keep an accurate, detailed account of your moving expenses, including all receipts. (Note that there are specific limitations on the amount that you can deduct. Check with your accountant or the Internal Revenue Service for more information.)
Checklist
Prepare your family emotionally for the move:
Contact your realtor
Contact moving companies and get estimates
Clean and polish your home to be shown and sold
Locate copies of important documents
Tell friends and neighbors of your move
Notify the post office of your new mailing address
Inform all publications of your change of address
Arrange to have school records and transcripts forwarded
Close out accounts with local businesses
Ask your doctor and dentist for referrals for new city
Arrange for temporary accommodations, if necessary
Set accounts, contact utilities and pay deposits
Four Weeks to Moving Day:
Organize household: trash, sell, give away, pack
Make travel reservations for your family and pets
Hold a garage sale
Begin to use all perishable foods
Start to collect packing materials
Begin packing least essential items
Two Weeks to Moving Day:
Service your car for the trip
Pay bills and store records
Continue packing
Plan a special activity for your children and their friends
Notify utilities of disconnect date
Draw a floor plan of your new house
Return Borrowed items (library books)
Two Days to Moving Day:
Verify start of utilities and location of keys to new house
Collect all keys (do not pack)
Wash all laundry
Pack suitcase and children’s toy bags for the trip
Prepare "necessity" boxes to be opened first in the new house
Empty and clean refrigerator, leave door propped opened to air dry
Service all major appliances
Drain gasoline from garden tools
Unplug television 24 hours before loading
Finish packing
Moving Day:
Keep children out of the way of the movers and the van
Have an ice chest filled with soft drinks and snacks
When the van is loaded, sign the final papers
Confirm the destination address and delivery date with the movers
Take one final walk-through, checking closets, cupboards and attics
Post your new address as an aid to the next residents
Turn off all lights
Close and lock all windows and doors
Your New Home - Moving In:
Be on time to accept delivery
Post your floor plan to direct the placement of furniture
Using your inventory sheet, check off each item
Make the beds for a good nights sleep - you deserve it!
Consejos para Preparar bien la Mudanza (Spanish).
Antes de ponerse en contacto con una empresa de mudanzas, haga el recuento de los bienes que quiere llevarse.
La elección dependerá de los derechos que le conceda su empleador en el contrato de expatriación o del presupuesto que le concedan para mudarse. Por regla general, se impone un volumen límite transportado a partir del cual, todos los gastos serán a cargo del asalariado. En este caso, puede pensar en la solución de un guardamuebles.
Cómo elegir lo que se va a llevar :
Piense en la superficie de su nuevo domicilio. Si las habitaciones son pequeñas, los muebles grandes pueden ser un problema.
Infórmese sobre el clima de su localidad de destino: ¿puede estropear su mobiliario.
Escoja en primer lugar aquellas cosas que no encontrará fácilmente en el lugar de destino.
Infórmese sobre el voltaje suministrado para utilizar los aparatos eléctricos y pequeños electrodomésticos.
Tenga en cuenta las restricciones aduaneras para la importación y la exportación. Son condicionantes para elegir.
Prevea una pequeña expedición aérea para los objetos de primera necesidad, sobre todo si tiene niños pequeños, porque los plazos de transporte pueden ser bastantes largos.
