Moving and Planning Guide
Two to Three Weeks Before Moving Day |
Working With the Mover
Preparing the Family
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Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories. 
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Have a "going-away" party for the children and their friends. This gives the youngsters a chance to tell all about the "wonderful new city we’re moving to" and to invite their friends for a visit later.
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Have some fun for yourself… an open house or an informal dinner or barbecue. Keep it simple, without elaborate preparations. It’s the guests who are important.
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Make family travel plans. Reserve hotel or motel rooms as needed. You may wish to guarantee them on a major credit card in case of late arrival.
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Have your car prepared for the trip. Check tires, brakes and windshield wipers. If needed, have the car serviced.
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Preparing Household Items
To guard your household goods against damage that could be caused by fire, explosion or leakage in the van…
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Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, etc.
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Drain fuel from you power mower and other machinery, and discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner or any other substances that may leak.
 Carefully tape and place in individual waterproof bags and jars of liquid you plan to take with you, such as prescription medication.
Refillable tanks must be purged and sealed by a local propane gas dealer. Discard non-refillable propane tanks, which are used for barbecue grills.
Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.
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Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify the value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving because some products may soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.
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Set an appointment with a service technician to prepare your appliances for shipment; or have your agent send someone out – at least the day before moving. Pre- as well as post- moving service may be needed for your washer, dryer, grandfather clock, satellite dish, water bed, etc. Third-party servicing will likely be needed before moving such items as hot tubs, large-screen televisions and some exercise equipment. Think twice before dismantling you outside TV antenna for moving; a new one may cost less then moving the present one.
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Set a date for having utilities disconnected. If possible, plan to keep your utilities in service through moving day in case last-minute calls or cleanups are necessary.
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Pets and Plants
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Decide what to do with house plants. United Van Lines cannot accept responsibility for safely moving your plants because  they may suffer from a lack of water and light as well as probable temperature changes while in the van. You may prefer to transport your house plants in the family car or ship them by plane. Other alternatives: give them to friends or relatives, donate them to a hospital or other organization, or 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 for a copy of our "Moving With House Plants" booklet.
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Take pets to the veterinarian. Most states require health certificates and rabies inoculations. See that identification and rabies tags are securely attached to the pet’s collar.
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Arrange for transportation of pets. Take them in the car or send via air. Consider boarding pets either at destination or a kennel near your present home until you are settled in the new city. Ask for a copy of our "Moving With Pets" booklet.
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Other Important Details
- Collect any merchandise in layaway at local stores.
- 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.
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Be sure to also supply the destination location, contact address and phone numbers where you can be reached. If you car is being moved on the van you are responsible for driving the car to a suitable site for the van operator to load it. You are also responsible for picking up your car at destination. If the car is being transported by car carrier, it can be picked up at your residence and delivered to your new home. In some cases, car shipments are consolidated and need to be dropped off and picked up at predetermined locations.