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1Household Move GuideBrought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
2Your Moving ChecklistThe moving process can seem overwhelming when you first get started. BulldogMovers wants to help you with that. We have compiled a weekly breakdown ofevents that you may find helpful in planning and executing on your move. Pleaseread over the following information and feel free to call on us if there is anythingwe can do to assist you further.Three to Six Weeks before Move:This is the time that you should be working with your mover. Call Bulldog Movers and schedule your survey with estimate. This processis important for both you and your mover. Having a complete list of whatitems are being moved and from where they need to be moved will giveboth you and your mover a full understanding of manpower needed, costsinvolved, and materials required.Show the moving specialist everything that needs to be moved. Any itemsthat are added later will increase your cost, even with a fixed priceestimate.For Corporate Relocations, make sure that you are familiar with yourcompany’s policies on what they will and will not cover. The mover willonly provide the services that are covered by your employer’s policy. Ifextra services are needed, discuss those with your mover on site andthose services can be provided through an independent agreement.Begin notification of the following:Utility Companies ElectricCompanyGas CompanyPhone CompanyWater CompanyTrash CollectionCompanySewer CompanyCable CompanyPropaneCompanyPublicationsProfessionals DoctorDentistPharmacistLandscaperAttorneyCPA / AccountantInsurance AgentBrokerGovernment OfficesBrought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
3 Book ClubsMusic Clubs Department ofMotor VehiclesSocial SecurityOfficeIRS / State TaxOfficeVeteransAdministrationCity / County TaxAssessorPersonal Business Accounts Health ClubsCredit Card CompaniesBanksFinance / Loan CompaniesPrepare to get rid of items that are no longer wanted or needed. Have agarage sale or donate the items to the charity of your choice.Begin to eliminate canned goods and frozen foods. The idea here is to useeverything you have before packing day. Packing canned goods isunnecessary and expensive and frozen foods will not be moved by yourmovers.Two Weeks before Move: Get in touch with your mover and let them know about any changes inyour moving plans. Make sure to arrange any details with your mover if acar is being moved as well. Ensure that the correct destination address ison file with your mover.Properly dispose of any flammable materials. Cleaning fluids, fireworks,aerosol cans, ammunition, propane, etc. Drain all gasoline from your lawnequipment. Discard any paint cans, oil cans, thinner, etc.Call a service man to prepare all of your major appliances for move day.Contact all of your utility companies in preparation for move day.Contact your insurance agent and make sure that current appraisals areon file for all of your insured valuables.Have rugs, drapes, etc. cleaned and leave them wrapped up when theyare returned from the cleaner. This protects the items during move.Do not oil or wax your wood furniture and do not clean any upholstery.Mold can grow inside furniture when it is damp. Oil and wax on woodenfurniture can make it hard to handle and result in a softening of your woodwhich makes it easier to damage.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
4 Prepare your family for the move. Visit local favorite spots, have a goingaway event at your home or favorite spot with friends and family, enjoyyourselves. The next couple of weeks will be busy for all of you.One Week before Move: Decide what you want to do with houseplants. You can either move themyourself or you can give them as gifts to friends or family. If you decide tomove them yourself and you are moving out of state, make sure that youunderstand what the rules and regulations are regarding transport ofhouseplants across state lines.Take your pets to the vet and make sure that all of their shots are up todate. Carry all appropriate documentation with you and your pets on moveday. Ensure that rabies tags are attached to your pet’s collars along withcontact information in the event your pet gets away from you in unfamiliarsurroundings.Get all of your items back from the cleaners or from storage. Return alllibrary books or rented movies. Return items you have borrowed andcollect items that have been borrowed. Get items from safety depositboxes and close accounts. Prepare to transport these items to your newbank. Call ahead and find out what you need to do to get these items backin safety deposit as soon as possible.Day before Move: Place all items you do not want packed in a designated location insideyour home. When the movers arrive make sure to let them know about theitems so they will not accidentally get packed.Unplug all electronic items 24 hours in advance so they will be at roomtemperature on move day.Check all closets, cabinets, and storage areas to ensure all articles arepacked.Be on hand to make sure that service personnel prepare your appliancesappropriately for move day. It is your job to make sure that these items areready for packing and moving at your expense. If there is not proof of theitem being serviced then the movers may pack the item but it will bemarked as not serviced so there is no liability if the item does not workappropriately when the item is hooked up at the new location.Moving Day:The big day has finally arrived and it is time to put all of your planning into action.The movers should be arriving at the designated time, unless otherarrangements have been made with you in advance. The items that you plan tomove yourself have been separated from the rest of the items in the house andBrought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
5may already be loaded in your personal travel vehicle of choice. All servicerequiring items have been serviced and all electronics disconnected at least 24hours in advance. All household plants have been either packed in your personalvehicle or given to family and friends. All utilities are scheduled for disconnection,all bank required activities have been conducted, all pets are properlydocumented and vaccinated, and the movers are ready to load the truck. It is your job to make sure that all of your items are loaded on the movingtruck. Make sure that you stay on the property to ensure that nothing is leftwhen the movers are ready to leave. When the movers have indicated thatthey are finished, make a final tour of the house to ensure that everythingis packed. When satisfied, sign the inventory list that the movers have foryou. Make sure that you receive a copy of the inventory check list andkeep it with you to assist you in the unloading check process.Make sure that the movers have the exact destination address to avoidany confusion. Be sure that the driver has a contact number for you sothat contact can be made if there are questions and contact with you canbe made when delivery is ready.Make sure that you are available by phone all day on moving day. Makesure that the phone number that you are available at is the one that themovers have.When the movers are done and you have signed off on the inventory, takea look around your house and make sure that your water is turned off,your furnace is turned off, all lights are turned off, and all of the windowsand doors are shut and locked.In Conclusion:We realize that moving is hectic and that the process can seem overwhelming.When you reach this point you can take a collective breath of relief knowing thatone half of the process has been complete. We are very happy that you havechosen us and trusted us to assist you in this process. Please call on us if thereis anything that we can do to make the moving process easier. If you havequestions or concerns please call on your moving specialist for assistance.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
6Conducting a Household InventoryOne good thing about moving is that you have a golden opportunity to get acurrent Household Inventory together. This inventory serves many purposesincluding assisting you in checking to ensure that all of your belongings arrive atthe new location.1. Get all of your critical documents together and have copies made. Packthe copies to arrive at your new location and keep all originals with you onmove day. Critical documents are things like:1. Birth Certificates2. Marriage Licenses3. Social Security Cards4. Wills5. Insurance Policies6. Deeds7. Titles8. Stock Certificates9. Bonds2. Make a record of your belongings. You can do this with a video camera, adigital camera, or a regular camera. You should also make an audioinventory of your belongings. If a camera is not available to you or if youare not able to make an audio recording, make a good list.1. Record how much you paid for an item (when possible include thereceipts of purchase) and where it was purchased.2. Record the serial numbers and brand names for any electronics.3. Record any distinct features regarding the items being recorded.4. Record when the item was purchased.3. Record expensive pieces of clothing, kitchen items, tools, and anythingelse of value.4. When complete, make copies of your inventory and give copies to yourinsurance agent. This inventory can be used in the event of a fire or otherdisaster. Serial numbers, values, where they were purchased, and photosof said items can help you in the event of a recovery need.5. Make a copy and give it to a friend or relative in case you loose theoriginal. You should keep the original copy with you on moving day.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
7Household Move BudgetMoving can be an expensive undertaking. There are considerations other thanjust your moving company costs. How many things you have to do, the amount ofstuff you need to move, and how far you have to move are just a few of thethings that you should take into consideration. Bulldog Movers, Inc. wants to helpyou understand some of the things that should be taken into consideration whenestablishing a budget for your move. Use the information below to assist you insetting up your budget.Call service providers and get estimates for things that will have to be done. Listthese expenses below.1. Housing ExpensesITEMCHARGEHome RepairsRequiredCleaning Services /SuppliesRental Costs (NewLocation)Application FeesUtility DepositsSecurity DepositsPet DepositsRent RequiredStorage RequiredTOTAL2. MovingITEMCHARGEMoving ht to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
8Extra Services (Likeappliance prep,etc.)Incidentals (Havean extra pot ofmoney forunplannedexpenses)Moving Truck (Ifdoing it yourself)Moving Help (Ifdoing it yourself)TOTAL3. Moving TravelITEMCHARGEGas AllowanceCar Service PriorTo MoveAirline TicketsTollsMealsHotelTOTAL4. Final Utility BillsITEMCHARGEElectric BillCable BillGas BillPhone BillInternet ServiceProvider BillCell Phone BillGarbage BillBrought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
9Gym MembershipTOTAL5. Other ItemsITEMCHARGETOTALIt is not unusual for a person needing to move to not have all of the money savedthat they need. You should start saving as soon as you can. There are otherpotential sources for money that can be used for moving. Some ideas are listedbelow:1. Have a sale of all of the items that you do not want to move. Usethe money you raise towards the cost of your move.2. The deposits that you have placed for utilities or current rentalunits. Go back over leases to determine what you need to do torecover your deposit and the time frame in which you can expect toreceive your deposit back. Call your utility companies and see whattheir policies are. They may apply the deposit to the final bill.3. Your employer may be willing to pay you for vacation time not used.Ask your employer what additional funds may be available for yourunused days.Where possible, you should use money saving techniques. This can beeverything from using family to assist you in pet sitting or baby sitting while youmove (saving you on the expense of sitters) to using volunteers to assist you incleaning instead of hiring a cleaning service. Talk to your Bulldog Movers, Inc.moving specialist. Ask them if there are options you can use to save money onthe cost of the move. Choosing a different move day may be a good way to takeadvantage of cost savings. Moving on a typically slower day may help you savemoney and assist Bulldog Movers, Inc. to optimize their work forceBrought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
10Self-Packing TipsIf you choose to pack yourself, there are things that you should be aware of.Good packing is essential to a successful move. Becoming familiar with basicpacking tips and the boxes that will assist you in being successful will ensure thatyour possessions are protected.Packing Basics: Your boxes should weigh less than 50 pounds to make moving easier.Limit the heavy items to smaller boxes and fill your larger boxes with lightitems.Make sure that your breakable items are wrapped to ensure that they cannot be broken during the move. Bubble wrap is a good method to use forthese items.Ensure that there is not a lot of extra space in your boxes. This isimportant to ensure that your items do not shift during the move.Use boxes that are sturdy and have the ability to close and be secured.Make sure that all boxes are labeled and that the items in each box arespecific to a certain room in the home. This makes unpacking easier foryou.Tips for Starting Your Packing: Begin by packing items in the house that you are not using. Things thatyou use daily should be packed last. This is also a good time to eliminateitems from your home that have not been used in a long time.Empty all heavy items from your drawers along with items that may spillduring your move. Light items may remain in your drawers and can bemoved in the drawers on moving day.Pack all like items together. For example, if you are packing your curtainspack the rods and the rod fasteners with the curtains so that they can beeasily reassembled at the new location.You will need a lot of crushed paper. Layer the bottom of boxes withcrushed paper so that you have padding for your items. When a box is full,fill in the empty spaces with crushed paper to avoid the shifting of yourvaluables during a move.Wrap your items in paper. For fine china and other delicate items, usedouble wrapping to ensure that your items are protected.When packing boxes, load the heaviest items for that box on the bottom ofthe box. The lightest items should always be on the top of the box.Pack your finest items in small boxes and then combine those into a largerbox. Again, make sure that you use crushed paper to cushion between theboxes.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
11 All of your delicate items will need extra cushioning and extra wrapping.When you think you have wrapped it enough, add another layer ofwrapping just to be sure. These are the items in the most jeopardy duringa move.Do not overload boxes. Pick the right size box for the items that you arepacking in it and remember that boxes should not weigh more than 50pounds.Whenever possible pack items in their original boxes. Remember thatthese boxes were made to fit the items that they originally carried. Again,remember to cushion these items if you do not have the original materialthat the items came packed in.Do not seal your boxes until your moving consultant has had anopportunity to evaluate the packing on move day. If we are to beresponsible for your precious items, it is critical that we make sure that theitems are packed in such a way that they are as safe as they can be.Label all boxes. Put the name of the room that they belong in, list thecontents on the box, put your name on each box. When you get to yournew home tape the name of the person that will be living in each room onthe door of the room. This enables us to unload boxes to the appropriateperson’s space, thereby helping you unpack more efficiently. Mark themost important boxes that need to be unpacked first in a special way sothat you will know them.Packing Special ItemsFragile ItemsElectronics When possible, pack these items in their original boxes. Ifyou do not have the boxes, contact a local electronic storeand inquire about obtaining original boxes from them.If you do not have original packing material we stronglysuggest you allow us to pack these items for you. Electronicsadd a special wrinkle to your self packing project and werecommend investing the money it takes to ensure thatthese items are moved without damage. Packing these itemsyourself could result in damage during the move which couldcost significantly more than hiring us to pack these items.Figurines & Collectibles Wrap all items in soft paper first and then wrap in newspaperor magazines. Make sure to include a lot of crushed paperBrought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
12 around the items. This will reduce shifting during the moveand do more to protect these fragile items.Mirrors, plaques, wall art can be wrapped in towels orblankets to add extra protection during the move. Glass isespecially protected by towels or blankets. Place the itemson the edge inside a box. Do not place on a corner or at anangle.China & Glassware Dish packs are essential in ensuring that your China isprotected. You can get dish packs from Bulldog Movers.These dish packs are specifically designed to protect yourChina and unless you have similar boxes, do not pack theseitems yourself. The money that you can save packing yourown China is not equal to the loss if they are not packedcorrectly.Wrap each item individually and then double wrap them innewspaper. Start from a corner, wrap the item diagonallyand continue to tuck in the overlapping edges. Make sure touse a lot of padding in extra paper as China requires a lot ofcushion before being placed in a box. Also, remember tomake a 2-3 inch pad of crushed paper on the bottom of thebox.Label each carton as FRAGILE. Also make sure to place aline of text indicating which side is up. These items will notbe packed under any other boxes when loaded on the truckas long as the movers know from the label that they arefragile.Large Platters, Glass Plates, etc. Place crushed paper as a cushion on the bottom of the boxfirst.Select an appropriate box size to fit these larger items.Wrap each piece individually and then wrap them in largerand softer materials like towels and blankets. Bundle theseitems together with another large towel or blanket.Put the bundled items on top of the crushed material andthen add additional crushed paper to surround the items andsecure them in the box. Your movers have horizontalcardboard dividers which can be useful in packing andprotecting these items. Ask your moving specialists for theseitems when you need them.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
13 Smaller platters, bowls, and saucers can make up a secondlayer in these boxes as long as the weight of the box is notexceeding your limits. Pick the box up and see if they aregetting too heavy before adding more items to the box. If it isstill ok, add carefully wrapped serving bowls and smallerplatters to take up the additional room in the box. Again, useyour cardboard dividers for additional security of theseimportant items. Enclose all silver completely to avoid tarnish. Silver bowls,tea sets, and serving dishes should be wrapped in such away that the empty spaces are full of material. Silver isfragile and can bend, filling the dead space can ensure thatthe items are not crushed during move.Label all boxes as fragile and silver. This enables all boxesto be loaded properly in the moving truck.If you are packing silver that is in a chest, wrap each piecewithin the chest to ensure they transport properly. Fill allempty spaces in the silver chest with crushed paper to avoidshifting during the move. Wrap the chest in a blanket or largetowel.Silver Glass Table Tops, Large Mirrors, Paintings, Statues, Vases, etc. These items, more than others, can be easily damaged dueto their bulk. Rather than packing these items yourself,consult with your moving specialist at Bulldog Movers topack these items for moving. We strongly recommend thatyou not pack these items yourself.Oil paintings should never be touched with any kind ofpaper. Paper can damage the paint or adhere to the paintand therefore should never come in contact with any oilpaintings.Books There are two ways to pack books. Either lay them flat onthe bottom of the box or place them spine down inside thebox. Most people tend to pack with the spines up but thiscan cause the glue to separate from the spine of the bookand ruin your books. Pack same size books together in thesame box.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
14 Expensive books or those of high sentimental value shouldbe wrapped before packing.Use smaller boxes for books to avoid exceeding the 50pound maximum per box.Pictures Pack all pictures, slides, videos, negatives, etc in boxesseparate from other household items. Pack all picturealbums in separate boxes from the loose pictures.Framed pictures should be wrapped to avoid having theglass broken.Carry any items with you that can not be replaced if at allpossible.CD's, Records, Tapes, DVD's, VCR Tapes Remove these items from any current storage that they mayreside in. Records are heavier than you may think andshould be packed in small boxes.Records that are in their jackets can be individually wrappedand then bundled together with a blanket, sheet, or largetowel before being placed in a box. Records that do not havea jacket need to be doubly wrapped before being bundledtogether for packing. Plastic wrap is the best first layer toavoid the record from being scratched.Stand all records on their edge on top of a cushionedbottom. Never lay these items flat in a box. Pack additionalcrushed paper around the records to ensure that they standup during transport and do not shift to lying at an angle. Markeach box as fragile and record the contents on the outside ofthe box.Pack CD's and DVD's in a similar manner that you packrecords. Never lay them flat.Cassette tapes should be in the plastic case that they camein. Wrap the case individually before placing them in the box.These items can be packed either vertically or horizontally.Just pack with crushed paper in between each layer.VCR tapes should also be packed in the original case. If nocase is available make sure that they are wrapped carefullybefore being loaded in the box. The type of material youchoose to use for wrapping can make a difference with VCRtapes. Make sure that the plastic piece that covers the actualrecorded images is in place. If the VCR tape is notreplaceable, try to pack the tape with you.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
15Lamps & Lamp Shades Remove the lamp shade, light bulb, and lamp harp (the partthat sits over the light bulb and attaches the lamp shade tothe lamp base) from the lamp base.Never wrap lampshades in newspaper as it can discolor yourlamp shade. Wrap each shade in 3-4 pieces of non-coloredpaper or in a pillow case or light towel. Smaller lamp shadescan be nested inside larger ones. This should be done toconserve space and assist with the filling of dead space.Line your box with clean paper. Use a box that is at least twoinches larger around than the largest lamp shade that youhave to pack. If your lamp shade is silk, pack it by itself.Pack lamp shades by themselves and label the box asfragile - lamp shades.If you have glass lamps, like tiffany style lamps, let BulldogMovers crate these items for you. Chandeliers should alsobe crated by your moving company.Non-Fragile ItemsRugs Roll your rugs. It is best to have these items cleaned beforemoving. Leave them rolled and wrapped when you retrievethem from your cleaners.Linens & Bedding Linens can be protected by a large plastic bag and packed ina box lined with clean paper. It is recommended that youwash all linens before packing so that when you get to yournew home you are unpacking clean items.If you have delicate linens, wrap them before being packed.Wrap your mattresses in plastic or special boxes. These areavailable from your moving company. Wrapping yourmattress ensures that you do not get dirt, dust, and othermaterials inside your mattress fibers on move day.Curtains, Drapes, & Table Cloths Wardrobe boxes are the best way to move these items. Foldthem and place over a padded hanger. Pin the items to thepadded hanger and hang them in the wardrobe box.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
16 You can fold these items and place them in boxes lined withclean paper (not newspaper) if you choose.If you have them cleaned prior to move day, leave themwrapped in the cleaner’s plastic bag for packing.Appliances Small appliances should be wrapped individually and packedin a box lined with crushed paper.Irons and other like items should be emptied of all waterbefore being packed.Remove all batteries from appliances before they arepacked. Pack batteries in a separate box for use at your newhome.Large appliance MUST be serviced before they can bemoved. You can arrange this through a service technician orcontact Bulldog Movers for assistance.Garage Items & Outdoor Items (Tools, Lawn Equipment, Swing sets, TVAntennas, Garden Sheds, etc) Dismantle all swing sets, sheds, TV antennas, etc. Gatherthe pieces together for those items and secure them withrope. Nylon is preferred. Place the hardware for these itemsin a bag and attach them to the bundled pieces.Drain all fluids from lawn equipment before moving day. Gasand Oil can be hazardous on move day.Long handled tools should be bundled together and securedwith a nylon rope. Attachments should be removed from alllong handled power tools and packed separately. Make sureyou label the box with what the attachments belong to foreasier assembly at the new location.Hand tools can be left in their tool boxes. Just fill the spaceswith crushed paper to avoid shifting on move day. Use smallboxes for tools as they tend to be heavy.When in doubt, contact your moving specialist for assistance. If at any pointduring the self packing process you decide that you need help, Bulldog Moverscan handle the rest of the move for you. Packing and moving can be a dauntingprocess and we understand that better than anyone. Our years of experience areat your disposal.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
17Non-Allowable ItemsThere are certain items that can not be moved. It is important that you know whatthese items are and it is especially important that you do not pack any of theseitems if you choose to pack yourself. Listed below are some of the most commonitems that are not allowed to be packed or moved. If you are ever in doubt ofwhether or not an item is allowed, contact your moving specialist at BulldogMovers for opaneCharcoalCharcoalLighterAmmunitionLamp OilFireworksAerosolsAmmoniaBleachPaintPaint ThinnerPoolChemicalsDarkroomChemicalsMotor OilChemistryCar atteriesNail PolishNail igerated Open or halfFoodused foodPlantsFood that is notpreserved*Note: You should empty your refrigerators and freezers at least 24 hours prior toyour move. Leave the doors open to allow the refrigerator and freezer to air out.This will reduce the chance of mold occurring inside these appliances.These personal items should also not be packed for moving as it may result inproblems during your move.Car KeysPagersAirline TicketsLaptopCell PhonesCheckbooksBrought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
18CashComputersSchoolRecordsMedical RecordsStocksBondsIRAsFinancial DocumentsDeedsCar TitlesPrescription MedsComputerDiscsAddress BooksJewelryFamily PhotosWedding AlbumProfessional TitlesInsurancePoliciesKeys to Safes,Homes, Etc.Personal VideoTapesVCR's &StereosRemote ControlsDocuments for yourNew HomesAll irreplaceable items and those with sentimental value should be carried withyou. If there are things that could never be replaced, make sure to carry thoseitems with you as well. While we very rarely have problems during moves, itemsthat could never be replaced should be protected by you personally to ensurethat accidental issues would not affect you.Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers
19How to Research Your MoverBulldog Movers opened their doors in 1982. Since then, we have been striving toalways be the best. We believe it is important for you to know that your movercan be trusted. The links below provide a lot of ways for you to validate that themover you have chosen meets all of the guidelines required by the State andFederal Governments. In addition to government requirements, what else is yourmoving company doing to ensure that they are getting the proper training andcertification to do the BEST job for you? The links below provide a lot of answersto these concerns.The American Moving and Storage Association(AMSA) is an organization for movingcompanies. The association was established in1936 and focuses on the training andcertification of moving companies to obtainProMover status. Each ProMover certifiedmoving company has a Carrier number that canbe entered on their website to validate that theyare an authorized ProMover. Bulldog Moverscarrier number is 469637. Click here to visit theAMSA website.The Georgia Movers Association (GaMA) is atrade association representing over 150 membermovers within the State of Georgia who moveboth residential and commercial both local andlong distance. In order for a moving company tobecome a member of GaMA a Code of Ethicsmust be observed. Member companies must becommitted to providing professional, reliable,and safe services at fair an
Brought to you Courtesy of Bulldog Movers Prepare your family for the move. Visit local favorite spots, have a going away event at your home or favorite spot with friends and family, enjoy yourselves. The next couple of weeks will be busy for all of you. One Week before Move: Decide what you want to do with houseplants. You can either move them
