Moving Tips

1. Make your moving arrangements as far ahead of your moving date as possible.

2. If you plan to do your own packing, start well in advance of your moving date. This avoids the last minute "packing rush".

3. Leave one box open and label it "TO BE UNLOADED FIRST", for items you will require immediately upon arrival at your new home. (Example: tools, toiletries, remote controls, phone & answering machine, etc.)

4. Extremely fragile items such as glass, mirrors and pictures should be professionally packed or crated.

5. Pack heavy items in small boxes; light items in large boxes (example: books in 2 cubic foot boxes, pots & pans & small appliances in 4 cubic foot boxes.)

6. Label your boxes by the room you would like them moved into (example: master bedroom, kitchen, basement, garage, etc.) Keep in mind it is best not to mix items from different rooms in one box.

7. Label the top and sides of all cartons with your name and destination city in BOLD LETTERS for easy identification.

8. To prevent small items from being lost or mistakenly thrown out with the packing paper, wrap miniature nick-knacks and other small items in brightly-colored tissue paper before placing them in the box.

9. Allow children to pack their favorite toys. This gives them a stronger sense of belonging and helps them feel that they're playing an instrumental part in the move.

10. Use clean cartons designed for moving. Boxes obtained from grocery or liquor stores are not always clean, and they may not withstand the weight of the items that you'll be putting in them. Also, their odd sizes tend to make loading more difficult.

11. Irreplaceable photos, financial papers, legal documents and valuables, etc. should be personally transported by you during the move.

12. Set up a specific area in your home for all items not to be shipped and inform your movers of this area.

13. Arrange to have all your major appliances disconnected and serviced before your moving date.

14. Defrost your refrigerator and freezer the day before moving (freezers must be empty at time of loading.)

15. Dispose of all flammable items such as matches, aerosols, fuels and propane tanks before your moving date.

16. Take your "personal" phone book and phone with you; you may need to make important calls during your transition.

17. Contact Able Moving & Storage Inc. 2 to 3 days prior to your move to confirm and review all final details of your move.

18. Ensure you review the list of your goods (Inventory Form) with your driver and their condition at the time of loading.

19. Make sure you complete a walk through of your home with your van foreman to ensure all items have been removed (check closets, cupboards, behind doors, etc.)

20. Before your van foreman completes loading, ensure you give him a phone number where you can be reached once you leave. It is also VERY IMPORTANT to provide an alternate contact number in case you can't be reached in your new home.

21. If your move occurs during extreme weather conditions, allow your electronics to acclimatize before plugging them in at your new home.

22. Method of payment - unless prior credit arrangements have been made, your van foreman is required to collect payment in full. Final payment may be made in CASH, BANK DRAFT, MONEY ORDER, VISA or MASTER CARD.

23. Ensure you check your Inventory Forms with the van foreman as your goods are unloaded. Damaged or missing items must be pointed out to your van foreman at this time and listed on your Inventory Forms.

24. Keep a copy of your contract (Bill of Lading), as most moves are tax deductible.