Getting Ready To Move

Before You Move

Have an idea of when you want to move? Remember that the summer months are the busiest and the dates that you may want may not be available. Be as flexible as possible. Do not to schedule pick up or delivery on the closing date or lease date. Find out when the person is moving out. Do not try to schedule your moving in on the same day. Make a list of what you need to do, and when you need to do it. A timeline or calendar will help keep everything organized.

Go through your closets, basement, and garage. Use the 2 year rule: If you have not used it, looked at it for the past 2 years, most likely it is time to get rid of it. Check the expiration date on items like prescriptions, medical items, spices, toiletries and throw out the items that are expired.

Try to use the items up in your freezer a few weeks before you move. You will need to completely empty and defrost your fridge and freezer a few days before you move. Make sure the inside is completely dry so it will not mildew in transit. Prop the fridge open to completely dry - this will need at least 2 days to completely dry out. Make sure the door is blocked and it does not close accidentally on anyone.

Always keep the moving company notified of any change in travel plans, address changes, or phone numbers. Confirm the delivery date and time at your new address. Write directions to your new home for the van operator, provide the new phone number, and include phone numbers where you can be reached in transit.

Loading Day

Prepare a "Trip Kit" for moving day. This kit can contain items such as snacks, beverages, and games for the kids to keep them occupied during the move. If you are stopping overnight, be sure to pack items such as toothbrushes and other essentials you'll need while your belongings are in transit. Carry important documents such as currency and jewelry yourself. Carriers will not assume liability for currency, jewelry, watches, or articles of extraordinary value including bills, deeds, securities, etc. Keep medications, contacts, eyeglasses or other personal goods you may need in your locked vehicle.

Since you'll probably want to clean before the furniture is unloaded, make sure your vacuum is packed last, so it can be unloaded first. You may want to take this in your vehicle for cleaning at your new residence.

It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is completed. To ensure that nothing gets left behind, always do a final inspection of the premises. Double check closets, drawers, shelves, the attic, and garage to ensure all items that you want are transported. Do this walk thru with the driver. Do not sign any releases without completing this inspection.

Delivery Day

Be sure to be on-hand when the movers arrive. It's important that an adult be authorized to take your place if you are unable to be present at any time while the movers are there. Let the agent know to whom you have given this authority. Be sure that your chosen representative knows exactly what to do. Remember - this person may be asked to sign documents obligating you to charges. Your representative will be asked to note any change in the condition of your goods noted on the inventory at the time of loading and to note any items missing at the time of delivery.

Have payment on hand for your moving charges. Unless other billing arrangements were made in advance, payment is required upon delivery in cash, traveler's checks (US Dollars), money order or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted.

Have an idea of where you want your furniture placed before the crew arrives. This will save time and energy of you having to re-arrange later. Plan to be available to direct them as they unload. To prevent possible damage, televisions, stereos, computers, other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery, allowing them time to adjust to room temperature.

Things that cannot be moved

There are two types of things movers cannot transport for you. The first is perishables and the second is hazardous materials.

The following items may not be transported on our trucks, please dispose of these properly:

Cooking oils, liquid cooking sauces, soy sauce, shampoos, etc. are also not recommended. Should the bottle leak, it could damage your property or someone else's. Candles are not suggested for summer moves due to the high temperatures on the trailers.

Packing Hints

At Shadowens Moving and Storage we know that moving can be an inconvenience. We have provided you with a few packing tips that will not only assist you in the moving process, but will also help the packers and movers of your belongings.

• Please move items that are located in the attic or crawl space to a main area that will be easy for the movers to get to.
• We will not move or pack any liquids, flammables, or combustibles.
• Please clean out your BBQ grills. We do not pack charcoal.
• Make sure batteries are out of remote controls, clocks, toys, flashlights, etc.
• We cannot ship any kind of light bulbs, candles, or wax sculptures. (During the hot summers these items melt)
• Outside items such as: lawn furniture, swing sets, fences, etc. will be your responsibility to disassemble at origin and re-assemble at destination.
• It has been our experience that when items are left hanging on walls and left in cabinets, the packing of these items is more easily accomplished. This is especially helpful when packers have a small area to work in. Our packers will pack these items room to room and get to them as they need them. Your cooperation in this matter would be appreciated. If you need to take pictures off the wall to do minor repairs, please feel free to do so.
• Remove the gas and oil from lawn mowers, chain saws, weedeaters, etc.
• Anything that is permanently attached to the wall will need to be taken down by you. Our packers will not remove these items. Any curtains you will want packed will need to be taken down for the packers to pack.
• The packers will leave the beds until the day the movers come to load your household goods. The mattress and box springs along with the bed linens will be packed the day of the move.
• If your household goods are going to two different locations, please separate or tag the items so they can be packed and moved together. Any items that you are taking with you, please place in a closet or bathroom and mark it "off limits" so these items will not get packed.
• All jewelry, coin or stamp collections, and money will need to be taken with you. Please do not have these items in a place where they may get packed.
• It is our company's responsibility to disassemble and re-assemble beds, mirror on dressers, etc. You do have the option to disassemble if you wish to do so.
• Prepare all electronic items for moving. This means unplugging and dismantling all cords and wires from outlets and walls. These include all stereo equipment, speakers, computers, game systems, etc. We will be happy to use any original cartons that you may have for electronics that you may have. Just set the box next to the item it goes with.
• Make sure you do a thorough check prior to the packers leaving. Check all closets, drawers, and cabinets to make sure nothing is left behind. Also, check before the movers leave to ensure that everything you want us to take has been loaded.