Preparing for Your Move

In order to make your move as smooth as possible, plan ahead.  Use this checklist as a reminder and check off the items as they're done.  If you have additional questions about preparing for your move, call your Florida Van Lines customer service representative and they will be happy to help.  (You can print out this checklist by clicking on your browsers "print" button)

6 Weeks in Advance

___ Call Florida Van Lines to schedule your moving day.

___ Decide what you want to move, what items you want to put into storage, give away, donate to a charity, sell or discard.

___ Decide how much you want to pack and move yourself and hove much you will have us pack and move.

Only those items that are correctly packed are covered against damage - so even if you plan to pack, you may want to consider having us pack your most fragile or valuable possessions.

4 Weeks in Advance

___ Notify magazines, newspapers, and the post office about your change of address.

___ Notify friends and business associates

___ The post office can supply you with change of address cards and information at no charge.

Here are some of the people and companies you may need to notify:

___ Consider placing an ad in a local paper or having a garage sale to dispose of any unwanted items.

___ Use up canned and frozen foods

___ Don't stock up on large size items.

___ Consider taking a video inventory of your possessions for insurance purposes.

2 Weeks in Advance

___ For long distance moves, consult Florida Van Lines about moving your car.

___ Prepare Household Items:

___ Dispose of flammable items - cleaning fluids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, etc.

___ Drain fuel from lawn mower, motorcycles (if they are going to be moved)

___ Discard used cans of paints, thinners, and other such items.

___ Take propane tanks to your propane dealer.  They must purge and seal tanks.

___ Have your appliance service technician prepare your appliances for shipping a day or two before the move.  Inform the utility company what day you want to have the services shut down.

___ Pets and Plants:  We cannot move your pets or plants.  You can move them by car or ship them by plane for long distance moves.  Please ask us for additional information should you need help in this area.

3 Days in Advance

___ For large moves, our experienced packers may do the packaging days before the move.  For smaller moves it will be done the same day.  Be prepared to move valuables, such as cash, credit cards, bonds, deeds, silver, gold, coins, and insurance paperwork yourself.

Pack a bag of box of those items that you will need immediately, such as:

___ Check the contents of drawers, remove all items that can break.  Clothing, towels, blankets and other soft items can stay in the drawers.

___ Check the attic and basement for items that may have been overlooked.

___ Wash all clothes before your appliances are disconnected.

___ Empty and clean the refrigerator and freezer (remember the defrost pan).

The Day Before the Move

If Florida Van Lines is handling the packing, our experienced crew will arrive and begin the packing process.  Before the packing begins, take them through your house and let them know if there are any items that will not be moved, and if there are any items that you will pack or move yourself.

The Day of the Move

___ Review with the Florida Van Lines foreman what is to be moved, what you want to move yourself, and what cartons you will want access to as soon as you move.

___ Mark any items that you do not want moved.

If you have done the packing, have all of the boxes clearly marked and ready to go.  They should be marked as to the contents and what room you want them placed in.  You can also specify where in the room they are to be placed.  Leave out any last-minute changes of clothes or coats that you may need.

___ Have a few extra trash bags available for those last-minute items that were hiding under beds or furniture, and for trash.

___ You may want plastic cups and soda or snacks in a cooler for the day of the move.

___ Be available when the movers arrive.  If you cannot be there, please let us know who will be your authorized representative.  They will also have to sign the documents.

___ If you are moving long distance or into storage, take the foreman through the house as he inspects and tags each lot and item with an inventory sticker.  These inventory numbers, along with an inventory list, will be prepared for your review.

___ After everything is loaded, make one last inspection of the house to ensure nothing is left behind.

___ Confirm that the driver has the correct destination information.  Let the driver know how and where you can be reached.  Plan to be there when the moving van arrives.