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6 Weeks

• Tour your home from top to bottom. Decide what is to be moved, and plan to sell, donate or throw out the rest.
• Decide on the approximate date you would like to move.
• Phone us to arrange a visit with a moving consultant.
• Show your consultant everything that is to be packed and moved. The estimate of the cost of the services that you will require will be based on these items only.
• Discuss professional packing services. If you decide to pack some articles yourself see our packing guide. If you require material to pack we can supply all of your needs at a nominal charge.
• Ask your Consultant for a New Horizons package of exclusive United services. Visit your Destination on our site or ask for a destination information kit to acquaint you with your new community.
• Be sure to give your consultant your AIR MILES® Collection number.
• Find out what portion of your moving expenses will be paid for by your employer.
• Keep all documents and correspondence connected with your move. They will be helpful during the moving process and Tax time. Do not pack them; keep them with you.
• Keep notes. Write down any questions or concerns you may have about your move as you think of them
• Gather letters of introduction from your clergy, business associates, club presidents, doctor, dentist, lawyer, etc. Ask your doctor for copies of renewable prescriptions.
• Arrange to transfer or resign the family's club memberships.
• Schedule farewell visits to family and friends.
• Plan menus to use up present stocks of canned and frozen food.

4 Weeks 

• Notify your post office. Find out your new postal code. Send change of address cards.
• Arrange to have utilities disconnected. Arrange for temporary cellular service.
• Write or phone the utility companies at your destination to arrange services to be connected as soon as you move in.
• Ask the phone company at your destination if service can be connected before you arrive.
• Ask your bank to transfer your accounts to the branch nearest your new home.
• Get a bank draft or certified cheque to cover COD charges for the move.
• Arrange for a safety deposit box at the new location. You may want to leave the contents in your present box until one becomes available at destination and then collect them on a return visit.
• Never pack valuables. Keep money, jewelry, bonds, etc. with you, or arrange for a courier service to transport them.
• If you are planning a garage sale, do it now!
• Transfer fire, theft and other insurance. Check your policy to see whether a long-distance move is covered.
• Ask your Consultant for a Welcome Wagon card and mail it so that a hostess can welcome you in your new city.

2 Weeks 

• Check the notes you have been making. If you have any questions, ask your Consultant.
• Be sure to ask your consultant for a "Destination Member Contact Card". This specifies the name and the phone number your destination agent in your new city who will contact you once you are ready for delivery of your shipment.
• Have your rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave the rugs rolled and wrapped.
• Prepare a floor plan of your new home and make extra copies. They will be very helpful for moving in. Keep these with your moving documents.
• Prepare your car for transportation. If you are driving, make certain everything is in good working order. Obtain the maps you'll need. Contact your auto club for route information that will be enjoyable for you and your family. Make a list of items that you will take , and plan entertainment for younger children. Ask your consultant for a free "Kid's Activity Book".
• Plan a going-away party for your children and their friends.
• Arrange for your family's enroute accommodations through one of the many hotels participating in our New Horizons program.
• If you plan to do your own packing, now is the time to start. If you figure that packing will be too much for you, now is the time to contact your Consultant to arrange for professional packing. Carefully read Handling Dangerous Goods. It explains what items cannot be included in your shipment. Phone your city's public works department about disposal of toxic dangerous chemicals.
• Collect all items being cleaned, repaired, stored and loaned to friends. Return library books.
• Arrange care for the baby and youngsters during the busy days of packing, moving out and moving in.

1 Week 

• If your pets are accompanying you, ask your veterinarian about inoculations, certificates, quarantine and entry regulations if you are moving abroad. Arrange transport by air or rail, unless you are taking them with you.
• For the night before moving day, arrange to spend the night with friends. With everything packed away, you will be more conformable.
• Take the family for visits to some of the places that hold happy memories for them.
• Plants not being moved can be donated to hospitals or nursing homes. Ask your Consultant for a New Horizons package; it contains a coupon for discounts when you replace your plants with new ones at destination.
• Prepare for meals between now and moving day. On the busiest days, plan to eat out or have meals brought in. Donate excess canned and frozen food to your community food bank.
• Keep separate any food, plates, and utensils that you will need for the last days. Pack them on moving day.
• Prepare a list of items you will need immediately at destination, such as flashlight, light bulbs, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, packaged snacks, drinks, etc. Pack these last and unload them first, along with necessities such as the crib and playpen.
• Place in separate groups the things that you want packed together, such as linens, toiletries, and toys.
• Two days before the move, do all the laundry. Remember to pickup clothing from the dry cleaners.
• Drain fuel from the lawnmower and other machinery. Safely dispose of all gasoline, matches, paints, aerosol cans etc. listed in dangerous Goods.
• Confirm hotel/motel reservations for your trip.
• Organize all your moving and travel documents as well as valuables you will be taking with you.
• Confirm your destination. Will your new home be ready and will you be able to move in on schedule.

1 Day 

• Wash and dry all dishes and place them in cupboards. Dispose of garbage. If you will spending the night elsewhere, strip the beds but leave all furniture assembled.
• Take down curtains, blinds, rods, shelves, etc. Unfasten any fixed carets that are to be moved. We do not perform these tasks
• Pack your suitcases.
• Choose a closet or area to set aside items such as luggage that you do not want packed or moved.
• Choose a small cupboard to collect keys, prescription drugs etc., that must not be moved.
• Pack the phone book. It will be very useful after you move.
• When the packers arrive, show them any items that you feel require special attention. Be sure to you tour the house to show them all items that are not to be packed.
• Before the packers are finished, make a final check of closets, cabinets, and storage areas for articles that may have been overlooked.
• When the packers are finished, sign the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking, verifying the number of containers that they packed.
• Take your pets to a transportation agency or boarding kennel. If you are taking them by car, pack their food, water, dishes, leashes, motion sickness pills, etc.

Moving Day 

• Be on hand when the moving crew arrives, or authorize someone in writing to take your place. Make sure he or she knows exactly what to do.
• If you have any questions, ask the Van Operator. He will be in charge.
• Advise the Van Operator ao any items you will need immediately at destination. He will load these last and unload them first.
• Accompany the Van Operator through the house as he tags each item with an identifying number. These numbers will appear on your inventory. Make sure he and his crew know what is going and what stays behind.
• Sign the inventory and keep your copy with your moving documents.
• Keep children and pets aside and do not allow them into the van. If you wish your Van Operator will happy to show you and your children the van and tractor before loading. Keep children on their normal routine as much as possible. Have a few favorite toys handy or set up a movie in a quiet room. Please remember your home is now a work area and movers carrying heavy pieces will not be able to see pets or children.
• Before signing the Bill OF Lading check the details, with particular attention to Declared Valuation, destination address and contact phone numbers. Be specific about where you can be reached when your shipment arrives. Sign the Bill of Lading and keep a copy with your moving documents.
• Before the van leaves, make a final and complete tour of the house and out building with the Van Operator to be sure that all items have been loaded.
• Leave a note in a conspicuous place so the new occupants can forward any mail inadvertently delivered to them.
• Leave the house as agreed upon with the new occupants.

Arriving at Destination 

• When you arrive in the new community, notify your destination member. Tell them how, where, and when you can be reached when your shipment arrives. If you can't find your destination member, call us and ask for the operation department.
• If some of your goods are to be stored, advise the warehouse of any items you want to remove of inspect so they can be kept accessible.
• Confirm that utilities will be connected on time.
• Check the arrangements for installation and connection of appliances.
• For the safety and comfort of young children and pets, arrange for a baby-sitter for the day you will be moving in. Ask at your hotel or request your destination member to arrange it.

Moving In 

• Pick up the keys to your new home and inspect it. Make sure it is ready when the van arrives. Do any cleaning of windows and cupboards now if you can.
• Fasten a floor plan near the entrance so the movers will place furniture and boxes correctly.
• Be on hand to accept delivery or have someone there on your behalf. Make sure this person knows exactly what to do. If no one is present, you could be charged for the time the van is waiting.
• When the an arrives, pay the COD charges. The Van Operator must receive payment before he can unload your belongings, unless billing arrangements have been made in advance.
• Position yourself during unloading so you can inspect the condition of your furniture, direct its placement, and mark it on the inventory. The movers will place rugs and reassemble furniture, but are not allowed to install or attach appliances, curtains, shelves or fixtures.
• Any boxes packed by us at origin are our responsibility to unpack at destination. These are noted on the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking you signed at origin.
• During unpacking, pay particular attention that small articles or parts of sets have been unpacked before the packing materials and debris are removed from the house.
• If you chose to do some or all of the unpacking yourself, note this on the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking.
• Sign the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking verifying the number of cartons that have been unpacked.
• As soon as possible, check everything that was unpacked. Report any loss or damages to your destination member or Van Operator if he is still present.
• Sign for receipt of your shipment, even if there is damage or loss. Write down the details of damage or loss under the "exceptions" section of the inventory at time of delivery. Otherwise, the mover is entitled to deny any subsequent claim. These notations on the inventory do not constitute a claim; they are merely a record of your observations at the time of delivery.
• In the event of loss or damage, contact your destination agent, who may be able to make immediate compensation in minor cases. Other wise, he will ask you to submit a claim form for action to be taken. See claims.

Getting Settled 

• Review your Destination Information kit to aquaint yourself with your new community.
• Check with the post office for any mail being held for you and to arrange for home delivery.
• In the new phone book, record emergency numbers. Locate government agencies and local services.
• Take the children to their new school and meet the principle and teachers.
• If you have moved to a new province or country, consult your new lawyer about differences in laws effecting family matters such as wills, taxes, etc.
• Arrange for medical, dental and paramedical services. Consult the Yellow Pages or ask at the hospital for doctors accepting new patients.
• As soon as a permanent residence is established in a new province, new motor vehicle plates and driving licenses must be obtained. Ask about any differences in driving laws.
• Visit the local public library, historical society, chamber of commerce, tourist bureau, parks and recreation department, and auto club. They will have suggestions about interesting places to visit and things to do to get to know your new surroundings.