Also, with the development of things, I decided to add another list : Unpacking Day(s).
1 week before moving
- Finish packing all suitcases and basic essentials
- Plan as if you're going away on a 2 week vacation. Technically, they have 15 days to deliver your stuff to destination and it's hotel rooms until then. Bring things to keep busy, crossword puzzles, books, anything! Depending on where your posted and how you're getting there, it might take a while until you can put away your suitcase!
- Take down curtain rods and remove any attached fixtures.
- I don't know about you, but even if I'm moving, I'd rather my neighbors NOT see me running around naked because someone called as I was getting in the shower. Bad idea. Keep the curtain rods on as long as you like. If you or your spouse is present at the house during Packing day, they can get removed then or even in the AM before the Movers (I refuse to call them Packers) get there.
- Do not giggle every time someone says Packers. They don't like that.
- Dismantle large power tools, etc.
- This one is an internal debate for me and I will probably be able to settle it once Maggie's movers encounter their Air Hockey Table of Doom. Unless it's a hazardous item like a power saw or something equally sharp, I'd recommend to leave it up to the movers unless the estimator requests otherwise. If you break it, don't dismantle it enough or too much and it breaks during the move, it's your problem. If they do it, it's theirs. 'Nuff said.
- Make sure you have everything you need to survive the trip.
- Passport, medication, ID, paperwork, keys (old and new), wallet, cat food, phone... and much much more! Start packing that kind of stuff in your carry on luggage (check air line regulations!) as soon as you can and keep it somewhere safe. You wouldn't want to realize your new house keys are packed away and on a truck to destination. If you're moving to Moose Jaw, bring a tuque.
- Make sure your loved one has packed enough complete uniforms (tuque!) to be able to report to work until you receive your things.
- The 1 week list is a bit shorter than the other ones, there's a ton more stuff that could go on here but most of it is really depending on your situation. Best advice I can give is to try to live as normally as possible until the very last moment. It will help you keep your head on your shoulders, stay focused and organized.
- Point out items you will be taking with you.
- I don't think pointing things out is clear enough for some of these people. After repeating ourselves a couple of times, we decided, once they'd emptied a closet, we kept everything we didn't want them to pack up in there. It prevented a lot of confusion and repetitive questions.
- These people will pack ANYTHING!
- Sure, the estimator dude told you they'd flag anything they couldn't move and set them aside... but the description they were given and the description according to the policy (and insurance!) are very different it seems. I'd left a ton of nail polish I totally forgot about, packed! Some champagne we got to celebrate in our new home, packed! Wine, packed! Water bottle I was having with my lunch, I turned around for one second : Packed! Thing is, if you forgot to remove anything and they didn't notice (read : care), you're responsible for it if it damages anything! The wine made it safely to SK and we enjoyed it while unpacking.
- They should leave you an open box and a couple of supplies in case you find anything they missed or forgot to remove a picture frame from the wall or something.
- Keep a screwdriver, hammer and basic tools until the last minute in case they need to take something apart.
- In the morning :
- Remove any fixtures you are taking with you, ziplock all the screws and supplies and secure them onto the fixture so they are easily found once you get to destination.
- Remove anything from the fridge (tupperware containers, water pitcher, ice trays) you will want them to pack up.
- Stay out of the way. As hard as it may be, don't overlook everything they do. They get annoyed, they might pack your crystal along with your books.
- Follow instructions from the moving dude.
- If the moving dude's name is Gary, tell him your toilet is broken.
- Review the list with them.
- Make sure the description of damage/state of your things is accurate. Remember these people are trying to cover their asses should anything get broken or scratched so they might try to exaggerate a bit just to be on the safe side. Adress the problem immediately and contact the moving company if you have any issues before you let them leave.
- We were lucky enough and they were done loading the truck at 12:30pm. We did all of the cleaning and fixing up of the place right that evening and we were able to enjoy some time with our family during our planned "Cleaning Day".
- Do as much as you can as soon as you can.
- If you are unpacking yourself :
- Make sure to empty out ALL the packing paper and everything else before throwing away the box or you might end up with a TON of tupperware lids but no containers... It's grand! :o/
- Make sure to make your pets as comfortable as possible as soon as possible to avoid any "confused messes".
So here it is, what I remember the most from our first move-I'm glad it's over!
1 comment:
lmao had a few good laughs in there... Can't wait for it to be my turn! :) And I will definitely check back with the list as we get closer to move date.. ;) Thx!! :)
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