General Reminders

Pets
While we like pets, moving day can be very upsetting for them. In addition, a house full of movers can be a dangerous place for pets and the movers if the pets get under foot.

Keep your pet's routine as regular as possible during the premoving stages and the move itself. If you normally feed, exercise, or play with your pet at certain times, continue to do so. During the final crunch of moving and unloading, you may find it is better if your pet stays at a friend's home or kennel. This may help reduce the chances of it getting upset and running away, or hiding in one of the moving boxes, as cats are prone to do.


Plants
Like any living thing, plants require special attention. If you are involved in a long-distance move, you will want to transport your plants in a temperature-controlled environment, such as your car. Extreme temperatures and lack of fresh air in a moving van can be fatal to plants.

According to the "Household Goods Carriers' Bureau Tariff," a carrier is not allowed to accept a shipment containing perishable items, including plants, except when a shipment is moving less than 150 miles and/or delivery will be made within 24 hours. Consult with your sales representative at Chapman Transfer before deciding on the best and safest means of transportation.


Packing (Packed by Owner)
Walk around your home and look in every room, storage area and cabinet to get a clear, true idea of what you have to pack. You will probably be surprised at how much you have. It's important to know now so you can have a realistic idea of the resources in time, money, moving capacity etc., that you will need. This is a great time to clean house, literally! Donate to family, friends, neighbors and charitable organizations. Consider a yard sale or classifieds ad. Have them come to you for pickup. All of this will save you time, energy, money and keep your new home less cluttered. There's no point in paying to have something moved that you don't want or need. Don't let it build up to an insurmountable ordeal on moving day. Besides, you are going to have enough to do moving day with last minute issues and supervising the move. You want to spend your last day or 2 saying your goodbyes and relaxing, not doing a months work in a day. Just 2 boxes a day for 2 months is 120 boxes! In an average American home you can expect from 100 to 300 boxes.

Everything should be in boxes or appropriate containers, but what you can't easily box,at least wrap. Yard implements can be wrapped in an old blanket and taped. Several very small boxes can be packed into one larger box, if weight appropriate. Items that may not need protection but are small like coolers, small luggage, should be combined into one larger box if possible. Loose items are more likely to be damaged, tripped over or misplaced than one easy to handle box.

Lamps are extremely fragile and do not move well. Make sure they are packed and ready to move. Take off the shade, the finial, and light bulb. Pad all pieces and pack in appropriate boxes. Shades can often be nested and packed in their own box. Tall halogen lamps can generally be unscrewed into smaller components, padded and packed.

If it's heavy for you, it's heavy for us. Use small boxes for heavy items like books, dishes, papers, and use larger boxes for lighter, larger items like linens and lamp shades.


What You Should Transport Yourself
Chapman Transfer recommends that you transport the following items instead of including them in your shipment, as they are not easily replaceable:

• Fine jewelry (except for minor-value costume jewelry)
• Coins, currency and any other negotiable paper (stock certificates, bonds, notes, etc.)
• Important papers, deeds, titles, bank books, tax forms and similar documents
• Prescriptions and medical/dental records

Appliances
Have your appliances prepped. Professional movers typically are not allowed to unplug appliances. Unplug them, disconnect (ice makers, washing machine hoses, dryer vent hoses), wrap up the cords and hoses Your refrigerator must be emptied and cleaned with the doors left open to air and dry prior to loading.


Utilities
Arrange to have your phone, heat, and electric turned off AT THE END of your moving day or the day after. We suggest that you shut off your cable service and return all equipment prior to loading day.


Walk Through
It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is completed. To ensure that nothing gets left behind, always do a final inspection of the premises. Double check closets, drawers, shelves, the attic, and garage to ensure all items that you want are transported. Do this walk thru with the driver.


Attic
Have everything down from the attic on moving day. The movers are prevented from going in the attic due to liability.


Drain
All power devices of oil and gas so they are safe to transport in the van.


These are items that we cannot carry.
The following is a list of the most common items. You'll need to be aware of these items and separate them from the items to be handled by the mover.

Matches Gasoline Propane tanks Fire extinguisher Motor oil Lamp oil Sterno Cleaning solvents Ammonia Charcoal Charcoal lighter Paint thinner Paints, latex and oil based

Chemistry sets Fertilizer Aerosols Fireworks Ammunition Ammunition reloading components Liquid bleach Pesticides Car batteries Household batteries Poisons, including weed killer Chemicals of any kind