Planning a move is one of the most stressful times in a person's life.  In order to make your move go as smoothly as possible, Metcalf Moving & Storage has provided the following information to help you plan your move:

Moving Tips

• Clear out unwanted goods – hold a garage sale or donate items you don't use.
• Get rid of flammables – paint, cleaners, gas cylinders.  These some items that we cannot move.
• Empty fuel from mowers, clippers, trimmers and so on.
• Clothes – do you need them all?  Charity shops may want them.
• Separate books – disposable, family reading, valuable.
• Check all electrical goods – will they work in the new home?  Many international destinations have different power supplies.
• Start making up your change of address list.
• Arrange to have mail forwarded with the post office.
• Arrange termination date for electricity, gas, telephone, television, and other main suppliers.
• If you are taking electrical goods such as a stereo, see if you still have their original boxes.  These are the best containers for those items.
• Have rugs cleaned.
• If you have children, separate cherished toys to travel with you.
• Round up personal documentation – marriage/birth certificates, driving licenses and so on.
• Keep passports separate so they are not packed.
• Want to take the car?  Check on import regulations and the duty payable.
• With regards to family pets– make sure vaccinations and documentation are up to date.
• Will your new home be ready? If not, you may need to arrange temporary storage.
• Shops, schools, theaters, life styles – it’s never too early to find out about your new home.
• Start running down food supplies and freezer stock.
• Arrange your finances – close or transfer bank accounts, savings accounts and so on, if necessary.

For interstate moves, be sure to check the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Household Goods Program website to learn more about your rights and responsibilities when moving.  This website can help you avoid fraud and ensure a more successful move.

Packing Tips

If you decide to pack yourself, give yourself plenty of time to get organized and ready for your move. Metcalf Moving & Storage offers the following packing suggestions:

• Before you start packing, determine the items you want to throw away, give away or sell.
• Moving is a good time to get rid of items you no longer need.  You will save money and have less to pack and unpack.  Give yourself enough time to make these decisions.
• Don't just start packing -- plan how you will pack.  Pack items you seldom use first.  Pack items of similar size and weight together.  Don't make any carton too heavy to easily lift.
• Always use proper packing cartons and wrapping materials. Use professional packing tape, which is a wide, strong, clear or brown tape.  Masking tape is not strong enough to support the weight of a fully packed carton, and duct tape will fall off of cardboard cartons.  Tape all cartons closed on the top and bottom -- don't just fold the end flaps closed.  Use crumpled, unprinted newspaper to pack items tightly in boxes.
• Label the contents on the outside of all boxes, along with the rooms to which they should be delivered in your new home.  When packing fragile items, clearly mark "fragile" on the outside of the box, with arrows on the sides to indicate the correct upright position.
• Indicate boxes holding essential items, such as cooking utensils, bedding, linens and toiletries that need to be opened first by writing "open first" on the box and making sure these are the last boxes to be loaded onto the moving van.

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