Moving FAQs

Moving can be a stressful time. Beltmann Moving and Storage provides some FAQs to help your moving experience be as easy as possible.

What are some things I should do a day or two before my moving day?

  • Discard unwanted items prior to your packing date. If the amount is substantial, please advise your CCR.
  • Be sure all clothing items are placed on hangers or folded neatly on the shelves of your closet. The packing crews will not fold or hang your clothing.
  • All electronics should be unplugged and unhooked to prepare them for packing. All ink cartridges must be removed from your printer to not cause damage. ***Printer damage caused by failure to remove the ink cartridge may not be claimed.
  • All dishes must be clean and removed from the dishwasher or sink and placed in cupboards for packing.
  • Your washer and dryer will be disconnected during the packing process. Be certain to have last minute laundry complete and removed from the appliances.
  • Review the items that the movers cannot move in your Move Guide. For legal and safety reasons, movers are prohibited from moving specific items that can be harmful. See list below.

It is illegal and unsafe for our trucks to transport items that are flammable, explosive, or corrosive. You must either carry these items yourself or dispose of them prior to the moving day. Items considered “illegal” by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) include, but are not limited to, the following:

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

If you are approved for temporary housing and plan to move substantial amounts of property into storage, communicate this to your packing crew and driver and be certain the items you plan to keep are in a clearly designated area. ****Once items are placed into storage, additional charges, which may or may not be covered by your company, will apply for their removal.

Plants cannot be placed into storage. If you have large ceramic pots going to storage, they must be emptied of all plant matter and dirt. The driver moves plants on a discretionary basis.

If you are moving any tapestries, curtains, or blinds, you must detach them prior to packing, unless your company has approved removal charges. This is done to avoid damage to the structure of your home.

All pictures and/or mirrors must be taken off walls to prepare for packing and/or crating.

What is a checklist of items to pack and keep handy on moving day?

  • Dish soap, dish towels, and paper towels
  • Cleaner (unopened)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Coffee, coffee filters and coffee maker
  • Toaster
  • Jar of pasta sauce and pasta
  • Breakfast bars, peanut butter or cheese filled crackers
  • Mug, plate, fork, knife, spoon for each member of the family
  • All-purpose kitchen knife, can opener, and sauce pan
  • Scissors or box cutter
  • Nightlight
  • Flashlight/candles/matches
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash bags
  • First aid kit

What are some DON’Ts on moving day?

Don’t forget to ask your CCR for a High-Value Inventory form if you have any items of furniture valued over $1,000.00 per item. In the case of extraordinary value, you may be asked for proof of value via an appraisal form. Be sure to give a copy of your High-Value Inventory form to the driver, so he or she can take the proper precautions when loading these items.

Remember that your designated person must check items off your inventory sheet, as they are removed from the truck and placed in residence. If an item is not checked off, the driver should go back into the van and search for any missing items or cartons. It is difficult to substantiate missing items if a check-off is not performed and completed at the time of delivery. If an item is not delivered, a trace can be placed on the item by the van line to recover the lost items.

Don’t forget to empty all contents of your safe. All safes must be unlocked and contents emptied prior to moving.

What are items that cannot move as household goods and are not covered by North American’s Protection Policy?

Certain high-value items cannot move as part of your household goods’ shipment and will not be covered by North American’s Possession Protection policy. We cannot be held responsible for personal papers and legal documents, passports, birth certificates, jewelry, watches, and valuables. These items should stay with you and not be placed on the moving van. Please make arrangements to transfer these items separately from your household shipment. These items include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Appraisals
  • Legal Documents
  • Receipts
  • Coin/Stamp/Card Collections
  • Manuscripts
  • Stocks/Bonds
  • Currency/Money
  • Medications
  • Software Licenses
  • Computer Backup Disks
  • Negotiable Instruments
  • Tax Records
  • Deeds
  • Passports
  • Jewelry
  • Precious Stones

What are some money-saving moving tips?

Here are 10 ways you can cut costs and ensure your move goes according to plan and budget:

1. Eliminate unnecessary items from your packing list. By leaving bulky, heavy, or extraneous items behind, you’ll save a lot on shipping costs. Of course, you’d be wise to sell these items before the big move to get a little cash in return. Here are many ways you can put your unwanted property up for sale:

  • Online Auctions: You can get top dollar for rare and collectible items on online auction sites
  • Secondhand stores: Consignment and antique shops are always looking to add to their collections
  • Garage Sales: Take out the middleman and invite buyers right to your door. The key to a successful garage sale is good advertising.
  • Flea Markets: Here, you can barter with vendors to seek the highest price in return for your furniture or collectibles
  • Charity: When possible, it is always a good idea to donate good furniture, clothes, and essentials to charitable organizations that can direct them towards people who need them. Be sure to keep your receipt for income tax purposes.

2. Determine the layout of your furniture and appliances before you pack. That way, you will know what will and won’t fit. And just a general tip: if it won’t fit, don’t move it.

3. If you have a green thumb and want to bring planters and outdoor decorations, remove all soil and use them as containers for other things

4. Packaging for CDs, DVDs, etc. are bulky and costly to ship. Leave the packaging behind or convert your library to mp3 and sell your physical copies back to music stores.

5. Items like workbenches, sawhorses, stools, and tables are often best left behind.

6. Never move household repair items like firewood, lumber, gasoline, fertilizer, pesticides, pool chemical, or paints. Moving some of these items can be heavy or even dangerous. Plus, the cost of shipping often far exceeds its value.

7. For bulky items of value, you do not intend to move, you may want to include them in the sale of the property. Swing sets, billiard tables, pianos, organs, antique furniture, and other items can attract buyers and potentially increase the final sale price. If the home has already been purchased, consult with the buyer to gauge their interest in retaining these items.

8. If you are owed any deposits, collect them before you depart. It is always more convenient to recover funds in person.

9. Your homeowners insurance company may owe you a refund for bills you have paid in advance – or it may be possible to put your balance towards your new residence. By doing so, you will ensure your new residence is immediately covered.

10. Fitness centers, country clubs, and other groups may offer refunds to members who have paid dues in advance.

What are some tax deductible moving expenses?

There are many deductions available to those on the move. When tax season arrives, consult your financial advisor for ways to maximize your refund. Here are some common deductibles for which you may qualify:

  • Cost of shipping a car
  • Cost of lodging while en route to your new residence
  • Cost of moving pets
  • Shipping, crating, and unpacking costs
  • Transportation and hauling from your old property to your new one

Your eligibility for these cost-saving measures often hinges on the following qualifications:

  • You are moving to start a new job
  • You are moving to a foreign country or are in the military
  • You are self-employed and intend on working for at least 78 weeks during your initial 24 months. In addition, 39 of those weeks must be within the first year.
  • You work full-time and will be working for 39 weeks during your first year in the vicinity of your new home.
  • Your new job will be at least 50 miles further away from your new residence than your previous job

What are household items that need preparation for moving day?

  • Check that all of your appliances are free of moisture and are kept in a dry, cool place prior to packing. You want to be sure that in no instance will the seals and mechanics freeze, and damage the unit.
  • Clean dishes thoroughly to prevent pests and decay.
  • Unplug and unhook all electronic devices and label the wires, this will make their installation must easier after you unpack.
  • Back up all of your personal, important files from your computer and pack up your external hard drives in a well-padded and labeled box.
  • To prevent spilling and staining, remove the ink cartridges from your printer and fax machines.
  • Heat can warp compact disks, so remove all CDs from your computer or stereo systems to prevent internal damage. In fact, extreme heat may damage all electronic items so be sure that they are not left in storage for a long period of time.
  • Keep all of your clothes folded or on hangers. This provides an easier and more organized unpacking process.

What are moving reservations or arrangements to consider?

Consider what arrangements need to be made prior to leaving your current home. If you live in an apartment, your building may have specific moving requirements. We resign the responsibility to contact your building about these requirements. We advise that you inquire the building’s supervisor or management company regarding their procedures. Depending on the items and the building layout, among other factors, some arrangements needed are:

  • Elevator Reservations: is there a freight elevator?
  • Parking Permits: where can the moving van/truck park?
  • Accessibility: could a trailer as large as 75 feet fit in the complex lot?

Are there special instructions for packing?

Tips to prepare for packing day: As the big packing day approaches, we expect certain items to be in ready-to-pack condition. Follow some of these tips to make everyone’s job easier on packing day:

  • Detach any and all items that you’d like packed and moved from the walls, such as drapery rods, bathroom towel rods, and pictures.
  • Be sure to remove all bed sheets and covers from your mattress before the movers arrive to pack.
  • See our list below of hazardous materials that we will not transport. Dispose of all flammable items, etc., prior to packing day.
  • Empty dresser drawers of loose items, liquids, and fragile pieces.
  • Do not seal any of the packed boxes; our experienced movers will need to sift through them to make sure they are acceptable for shipping.
  • Clean garbage pails and grills and disconnect your outdoor hose.
  • Plan meals ahead of time so you can throw away all perishables from your freezer/fridge.
  • Pack your necessities in an easily accessible suitcase and put in a separate area so your movers do not accidentally take it.