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Washington, DC
Moving Checklist

6 to 8 Weeks Before Moving Day

Working With the Mover:

• Call your United agent. Set a date for the agent to visually survey your home and prepare an
estimate.
• If your company is paying for your move, refer to their moving policy to determine the
services the mover will be authorized to perform.
• Do you want to do any of the packing -- or will you have it done by our experienced packers?
Your agent will be happy to discuss packing services with you.
• Show the agent everything that is going to be moved. Any items you fail to disclose or
that are added later to the shipment will increase the cost, even if you have been given
a binding estimate.
• Read the “Your Rights and Responsibilities Manual” to make certain that you fully
understand the extent of the carrier´s liability.
• Sign the Estimate/Order for Service after you are sure you have a clear understanding of
each section. If you have any questions, ask your agent to explain.
• Keep the phone number and name of a your salesperson or move coordinator handy.

4 to 6 Weeks Before Moving Day

Places to Notify:

• Notify the post office that you are moving. An online Change of Address form is available on the United States Postal Service Web site.
• Prepare a list of friends, relatives, business firms and others who should be notified of your move. The following checklist will be helpful:

Utilities

• Electric
• Gas
• Water
• Telephone
• Sewer District
• Trash
• Cable/Satellite
• Fuel (Oil/Propane)

Professional Services

• Doctor(s)
• Dentist
• Accountant
• Lawyer
• Broker
• Insurance Agency

Government Offices

• Dept. of Motor Vehicles
• Social Security Administration
• State/Federal Tax Bureaus
• City/County Tax Assessor
• Veterans Administration

Personal Accounts

• Pharmacy
• Dry Cleaner
• Lawn Service
• Banks/Finance Companies
• Credit Card Companies
• Laundry Service
• Auto Finance Company
• Health Club

Publications

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Newsletters
• Professional Journals

Miscellaneous:

• Have a "garage sale" or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items.
• Donate unwanted clothing or household goods to charitable organizations. Obtain
receipts showing the items´ approximate value for possible tax deductions.
• Begin to use up supplies of canned goods, frozen foods and other household items. Buy
only what will be used before moving.

2 to 3 Weeks Before Moving Day

Working With the Mover:

• Notify your agent if you add or subtract items from your planned move or if there are
any changes in dates. Be sure to supply your agent with destination address and
phone numbers where you can be reached.
• Confirm any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main
pickup or delivery points.
• If your car is being moved, be prepared to drive it to a suitable loading site. Also be prepared
to pick up your car at a suitable destination location.

Preparing the Family:

• Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.
• Have a going-away party for the children and their friends.
• Have some fun for yourself...an open house or an informal dinner or barbecue. Keep it
simple.
• Make family travel plans. Reserve hotel rooms and airline tickets as needed.
• If driving, have your car serviced for the trip (check tires, brakes and windshield wipers,
fluids, belts, etc.)

Preparing Household Items:

• Federal law requires that you dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids,
matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer.
Drain fuel from your power mower and other machinery. Discard partly used cans of oil,
paint, thinner, bleach, or any other substances that may be flammable or combustible or
those stored in containers that may leak. Please read the complete list of non-allowables.
• Refillable propane tanks must be purged and sealed by a local propane gas dealer. Discard
non-refillable propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.
• Set an appointment with a service technician to prepare your major appliances for shipment -
- or have your agent send someone out who is authorized to perform this service.
• Set a date for having utilities disconnected. If possible, plan to keep utilities in service
through moving day.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the
cleaners.
• Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden
antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving because some products might soften the
wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.
• Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture could cause mold if furniture
must be placed in storage.

1 to 2 Weeks Before Moving Day

Pets and Plants:

• Decide what to do with house plants. United cannot safely move your plants because they
may suffer from lack of water and light as well as probable temperature changes while in the
van.

Alternatives:

o Give them to friends or relatives
o Donate them to a hospital or other organization
o Include them in a garage sale.

• Some states permit the entry of all house plants; others admit them in accordance with
specific rules and regulations. Ask your agent for a copy of our "Moving With House Plants"
booklet.
• Take pets to the veterinarian. Most states require health certificates and rabies inoculations.
See that identification and rabies tags are securely attached to your pet´s collar.
• Arrange for transportation of pets. Take them in the car or send via air. Consider boarding
pets either at destination or at a kennel near your present home until you are settled in the
new city. Ask your agent for a copy of our "Moving With Pets" booklet.

Other Important Details:

• Collect all items that are being cleaned, stored or repaired (clothing, furs, shoes, watches,
etc.). Empty your locker at the club, bowling alley or gym.
• Return library books and anything borrowed from friends or neighbors, and collect things you
may have loaned.

Day Before Moving Day

Working with the Packers:

• Point out to the packers any extra-fragile items needing special attention. Mark appropriately
any items you do not want packed or moved, as well as cartons you will want first when the
van arrives at destination.
• If you are doing your own packing, make sure everything is ready to go before moving day.
Upon arrival, the van operator will check to see if boxes have been properly packed.
• Collect things you definitely want packed together, such as children´s toys, and place in
separate groups.
• Unplug all electronic appliances 24 hours in advance of a move, except plasma televisions,
so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers,
stereos, and audio/video equipment.

Last Minute Details:

• Check closets, cabinets, and storage lockers for any articles overlooked.
• Be on hand when the service representative arrives to prepare your appliances for shipment.
• It is your responsibility to see that all mechanical and electrical equipment is properly
serviced for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving van at your expense. If you have failed
to have an article serviced, the van operator may load and haul it but will mark the inventory
sheet "Not Serviced." Request a copy of the "Moving Appliances & Other Home Furnishings"
booklet for more information.

Moving Day

Working With the Mover:

• It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises
until loading is complete. After making a final tour of the house, check and sign the inventory.
Get your copy from the van operator and keep it.
• Approve and sign the Bill of Lading/Freight Bill. It states the terms and conditions under
which your goods are moved and is also your receipt for the shipment. Be sure to sign the
declared valuation statement.
• Complete and sign the High-Value Inventory form, whether or not items of extraordinary
value are included in the shipment. You also need to sign and date the "Extraordinary
(Unusual) Value Article Declaration" box on the Bill of Lading, if applicable to your shipment.
• Make sure the van operator has the exact destination address. Be sure to let the van
operator know how you can be reached, including phone numbers, pending the arrival of
your household goods.

Last-Minute Details:

• Leave your phone connected throughout moving day. After the van leaves and you finish
last-minute calls, be sure to pack the phone in one of your suitcases.

Take a last look around:

• Water shut off?
• Furnace shut off?
• Light switches turned off?
• All utilities arranged for disconnection?
• Windows shut and locked?
• Old house keys surrendered?
• Have you left anything?

Delivery Day

Working With the Mover:

• Be on hand to accept delivery. If you cannot be there personally, be sure you authorize an
adult to be your representative to accept delivery and pay the charges for you.
• On the day of delivery, the van operator will attempt to contact you by phone and/or will
make an appearance at residence if he is unable to reach you. If you are unable to accept
delivery of your shipment within the free waiting time (i.e., two hours) after notification of
arrival at destination, you may request waiting time until delivery can be made.
• Check your household goods as they are unloaded. If there is a change in the condition of
the property from that noted on the inventory at the time of loading or if any items are
missing, note discrepancies on the van operator´s copy of the inventory sheet. By signing the
inventory sheet, you are acknowledging receipt of all items listed. Personally report any loss
or damage to the your salesperson or move coordinator.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including the laying of
rugs and setting up of box springs, mattresses and bed frames. However, appliances and/or
fixtures will NOT be installed. At your request and at an additional charge, your salesperson
or move coordinator can arrange for this service.
• Place a floor plan of your new home by the entrance, which the movers can use to determine
where each piece of furniture should go.
• Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You will need them for
verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To prevent possible damage, television sets, other electronic equipment and major
appliances should not be used for 24 hours after delivery, allowing them time to adjust to
room temperature.

One Week After Move

Settling In:

• Check with your new post office for any mail being held and ask for delivery to start.
• Check state (and local) requirements for auto registration and a driver’s license.
• You may want to select an attorney to discuss laws that pertain to your destination state,
county, and/or city. Be sure to cover such matters as wills, transfers of property and
investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, taxes, etc. Most laws affect a family as
soon as residence in the new state and city is established.

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