Moving FAQs - Things You Need to Do Before the Movers Arrive From a Top Westchester Moving Company

Beltmann, a top Westchester moving company, we understand that moving your family to a new home can be challenging. To help make things go more smoothly, we offer the answers to several common FAQs

What Should I Do Before the Packers/Movers Arrive?

• Go room to room and declutter by recycling, donating and disposing of the things you aren’t shipping.
• All clothes should be folded or placed on hangers.
• Disconnect all electronics and appliances and take the printer/toner cartridges out to avoid ink spills that are not covered by most insurance policies.
• Be sure you read the Moving Guide your moving company provides for you.
• Remove paintings, pictures, mirrors, and window treatments to avoid the risk of damage.

The Department of Transportation has a list of items that cannot be shipped by even a top Westchester moving company. The list includes:

• Acids, Adhesives/Aerosol Cans/ Propane Tanks/Scuba Tanks/ Welding Gases
• Ammunition/Anti-freeze/ Batteries/Charcoal
• Alcohol/ Ammonia/ Bleach/Cleaners/Disinfectants/ Liquid Cleaners/ Petroleum Products
• Petroleum Products/ Gasoline/ Kerosene/ Lighter Fluid/ Lighters/Matches
• Fire Extinguishers/ Lawn Chemicals/ Opened Fireworks
• Shellac & Varnishes/Paints/ Polishes/ Solvents

If you plan to place your household goods in storage, let the packers and movers know this when they arrive. Be sure you keep the things you are taking with you in a separate area and let them know so they don’t put them on the truck. Keep in mind that the more you put in storage the more it will cost you.

What Should I Have Handy On Moving Day?

• A multipurpose kitchen knife, a can opener, a saucepan, a toaster, seasonings, and easy to prepare foods.
• Snacks such as breakfast and protein bars, coffee/filters, tea, creamer.
• Cups, plates, and silverware for each member of your family.
• Dish soap, cleaners, dish and paper towels, toilet paper.
• A first aid kit, flashlight, candles and matches, trash bags.
• A box cutter and pair of sharp scissors.

Is There Anything I Should Not Do On the Day the Movers Are Coming?

There are a few things you can’t afford to forget to take care of on moving day, including:

Filling out a “High-Value” inventory sheet for your expensive items. For items valued at over $1000, you may need to have them appraised.

Making sure you give the driver copies of the inventory and appraisals. If you don’t it could make filing a damage/loss claim more difficult.

Keep a copy of all inventory checklists for when your goods are unloaded into your new home. If anything is missing or damaged, this will make it easier to spot and for the movers to start a search for missing items.

If you have a safe, it must be emptied and left unlocked for the move.

Are There Items Not Covered by the North American Protection Policy I Shouldn’t Ship?

There are several items not covered by this policy, including:

• Stamp, Coin, and Sports Card Collections
• Backup Discs for your Computer and any Software Licenses
• Any Appraisals, Deeds/ Legal Documents/ Manuscripts/ Passports
• Currency, Precious Stones, and Jewelry
• Stocks, Bond, Negotiable Instruments, Book or Musical Manuscripts, Passports
• Any medications (you should take these with you)

How Can I Keep My Moving Costs Within My Budget? Here are our favorite tips from our Westchester Moving Company

We know how important keeping your moving costs under control is. Here are 10 tips to help you stay in budget.

1. Declutter your home, go through each room and get rid of things you don’t use or need. You can sell them, give them to family, or donate them to a charity.
2. Use empty planters that have been cleaned out to pack small items in.
3. If you have things like furniture that are not going to fit in your new home, don’t pay to ship them, sell them before you move.
4. Copy your CD/DVD collection onto your computer or external drive and sell the originals. Most music stores will buy used CDs and DVDs.
5. If you have things like workshop benches and furniture, sell them as they are heavy and can add significantly to your moving bill.
6. Big items such as pool tables, antiques, large pieces of furniture and pianos can add a lot to your bill. Try selling them as part of the house (could add significantly to the selling price) or see if the new owner would like to buy them. Otherwise, sell them via online auctions and local ads.
7. Shipping things like paint, pool chemicals, lumber/firewood, and garden chemicals can be dangerous and expensive to ship so why pay to ship them?
8. If you have rent/utility deposits it’s easier to retrieve them in person than over the phone or by mail.
9. Check to see if you can get a refund on the amount of your homeowner’s insurance you won’t be using or if it can be transferred to your new house.
10. Check to see if you can get a refund on any advance fees paid to country clubs, fitness centers, and the like.

What, If Any Part of My Moving Expenses Are Tax Deductible?

To find this out, you should talk to your tax accountant. However, here is a list of the most common deductions:

• The cost of shipping a vehicle
• The cost of accommodations needed during your move, including temporary housing if your new home is not ready
• The cost to ship your pets if you can’t take them with you
• The cost of packing, transporting and unpacking your household goods

Be aware that you can only take these deductions if certain criteria are met such as:

• Your move is to a new job
• You are moving because you are in the military or you are moving out of the country
• You are self-employed and will be working for a minimum of 78 weeks during the first two years in your new home and 39 of those weeks will be within the first year
• You will be employed for at least 39 weeks at your new job within the first year and it is close to your new home
• The job you are moving to is at least 50 miles away from your old job and closer to your new home.

What Do I Need to Do Before Your Westchester Moving Company Arrives the Next Day?

• Clean out and dry any appliances, this prevents moving parts and seals from damage should they be exposed to freezing temperatures.
• Wash and dry all dishes to prevent the development of bacteria and mold.
• Unplug and unhook all appliances and electronics, label cords for ease of reinstallation.
• Back up any important files on your computers to discs or an external hard drive. These should be packed in a padded box for added protection.
• Remove the toner and ink cartridges from printers, the movers are not responsible for damage caused by ink spills.
• Ensure DVDs and CDs have been removed from players and computers, they may warp if the temperature gets too hot and prove to be difficult to remove. Store them in a cooler or take them with you.
• Fold/hang clothing, most packers won’t do this, but those who offer this service charge more.

What Arrangements or Reservations Need to Be Made?

There are several potential arrangements or reservations you may need to make depending on the type of home you are currently living in. For example, if you live in an apartment building, you may need to:

• Check to see if the moving truck needs a parking pass or permits to be parked in the complex.
• Check for a freight elevator or if you need to reserve the main elevator for the movers to use.
• Will a 75-foot long truck fit in your parking lot?
• Hotel or motel reservations for the trip.

Are There Any Special Things I Need to Do Before the Movers Arrive?

• Pull everything off the walls, including mirrors, paintings, family photos, and window treatments. This will help reduce the risk of costly damage.
• Pull the bedding from all bedding.
• Get rid of everything you are not planning to pack and ship.
• Empty dresser drawers of any liquids, loose items, or anything fragile.
• Leave boxes you have packed open for the movers to inspect.
• Empty refrigerators and freezers of all perishable foods.
• Clean items like trash cans and grills, unhook any garden hoses.
• Keep your suitcases packed with the items you are taking with you in one place and let the packers know where they are to avoid having them packed in the moving van.

Lastly, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need assistance with any packing or moving service. Our Top Piscataway and Westchester Moving Company are here to assist your next move.