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Tour your house from top to bottom. Decide what is to be moved, and plan to sell, donate, or throw out the rest.

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Decide on the approximate date you would like to move.

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Arrange an estimate with Peterborough Movers & Storage. Show your moving consultant everything that is to be packed and/or moved. The estimate will be based on these items only.  

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Discuss professional packing services. If you decide to pack some articles yourself, ask for our free "Do It Yourself Packing Guide". You many want to purchase some packing materials from Peterborough Movers & Storage.

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Ask us for a New Horizons package of exclusive United services. Also ask for a destination information kit to acquaint you with your new community. These are free of charge.

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Be sure to give us your AIR MILES™ Collector number. If you are not yet a collector, click here to sign up.  

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Find out what portion of your moving expenses will be paid for by your employer.

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Keep all documents and correspondence connected with your move. They will be helpful during the moving process. Do not pack them - keep them with you.

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Gather letters of introduction from your clergy, business associates, club presidents, doctor, dentist, lawyer etc.  Ask your doctor for copies of your renewable prescriptions.

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Arrange to transfer or resign club memberships.

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Schedule farewell visits with family and friends.

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Plan menus to use up present stocks of canned and frozen food.

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Notify your post office.  Find out your new postal code.  Send change of address cards.

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Arrange to have utilities disconnected.  Arrange for temporary cellular service.

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Write or phone the utility companies at your destination to arrange services to be connected as soon as you move in.

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Ask the phone company if the service at your new home can be connected before you arrive.

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Ask your bank to transfer your accounts to the branch nearest your new home.

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Get a bank draft or certified cheque to cover your COD charges for the move.

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Arrange for a safety deposit box at the new location. You may want to leave the contents in your present box until one becomes available at your destination and then collect them on a return visit.

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Never pack valuables.  Keep money, jewelry, bonds etc., with you or arrange for a courier service to transport them.

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If you are planning a garage sale, do it now.  

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Transfer fire, theft and other insurance.  Check your policy to see whether a move is covered.

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Ask us for a Welcome Wagon card and mail it so that a hostess can welcome you in your new city.

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Check your notes and questions, and follow up to get answers.

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Have your rugs and draperies cleaned.  Leave the rugs rolled and wrapped.

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Prepare a floor plan of your new home and make extra copies.  They will be very helpful for moving in.  Keep these with your moving documents.

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Prepare your car for transportation (if required).  If you are driving, make certain everything is in good condition.  Obtain the maps you will need. Contact your auto club for a route that will be enjoyable.   Make a list of items to be taken, and plan entertainment for younger children.

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Plan a going-away party for your children and their friends.

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Arrange for your family's accommodations through one of the 170 hotels participating in United's Room Service Program.

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If you plan to do some of the packing start now. Review your Packing Guide. Carefully read the booklet "Handling Dangerous Goods" which explains what items cannot be included in your shipment. Ask your Public Works department about disposal of toxic chemicals.

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Collect all items being cleaned, repaired, stored and loaned to friends. Return library books.

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Arrange care for the baby and youngsters during the busy days of packing, moving out and moving in.

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Ask your veterinarian about inoculations, certificates, quarantine and entry regulations for your pets if you are moving abroad. Arrange transport by air or rail, unless you are taking them with you.

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For the night before moving day, arrange to spend the night with friends.  With everything packed away, you will be more comfortable.

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Take the family for visits to some of the places that hold happy memories for them.

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Plants not being moved can be donated to hospitals or nursing homes.  Ask us for a Re-Root new plant certificate.

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Prepare for meals between now and moving day.  On the busiest days, plan to eat out or have meals brought in.  Donate excess canned and frozen food to your community food bank.

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Keep separate any food, plates and utensils you will need during the last days.  Pack them on moving day.

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Prepare a list of items you will need immediately at your destination, such as flashlight, light bulbs, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, packaged snacks, drinks. etc. Pack these last and unload them first, along with necessities such as the crib or playpen.

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Place in separate groups the things you want packed together, such as linens, toiletries, toys.

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Two days before the move, do all the laundry. Remember to pick up all clothing from the dry cleaner.

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Drain fuel from the lawnmower and other machinery. Safely dispose of all gasoline, matches, paints ammunition, aerosol cans etc. listed in our booklet "Handling Dangerous Goods".

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Confirm hotel or motel reservations for your trip.

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Organize all your moving and travel documents as well as the valuables you will be taking with you.

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Wash and dry all dishes and place them in cupboards. Dispose of the garbage. If you will be spending the night elsewhere, strip the beds but leave all furniture assembled.

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Take down curtains, blinds, rods, and shelves that you are moving. Unfasten any fixed carpets that are to be moved. 

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Pack your suitcases.

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Set aside and label items such as luggage that you do not want packed or moved.

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Pack the phone book.  It will be very useful after your move.

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Pack the car for the trip.

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When the packers arrive, show them any items you feel need special care.

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Before the packers are finished, make a final check of closets, cabinets, and storage areas for articles that may have been overlooked.

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When the packers are finished, sign the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking, verifying the number of containers they packed.

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Take your pets to a transportation agency or boarding kennel. If you are taking them by car, pack their food, water, dishes, leashes, motion sickness pills, etc.

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Be on hand when the moving crew arrives, or authorize someone in writing to take your place.  Be sure he or she knows exactly what to do.

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If you have any questions, ask your Van Operator. He will be in charge.

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Advise the Van Operator of any items you will need immediately at destination. He will load these last and unload them first.

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Accompany the Van Operator through the house as he tags each item with an identifying number. These numbers will appear on your inventory. Be sure he knows what items are not to be loaded.

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Sign the Inventory and keep your copy with your moving documents.

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Keep children and pets aside and do not allow them into the van. If you wish, your Van Operator will be happy to show your children the van before loading begins. Keep children on their normal routine as much as possible.  Have a few favorite toys handy, or set up a movie in a quiet room.

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Before signing the Bill of Lading check the details, with particular attention to Declared Valuation and destination address. Be specific about where you can be reached when your shipment arrives at your destination. Sign the Bill of Lading and keep a copy with your moving documents.

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Before the van leaves, make a final and complete tour of the house with the Van Operator to be sure that all items have been loaded.

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Leave a note in a conspicuous place so the new occupants can forward any mail delivered to them.

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Leave the house as agreed upon with the new occupants.

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When you arrive in the new community, notify your destination member. Tell them how and when you can be reached when your shipment arrives.

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If some of your goods are to be stored, advise the warehouse of any items you want to remove or inspect so they can be kept accessible.

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Confirm that utilities will be connected on time.

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Check the arrangements for the installation and connection of appliances.

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For the comfort and safety of young children and pets, arrange for a babysitter for the day you will be moving in.  Ask at your hotel or request your destination member to arrange it.

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Pick up the keys to your new home and inspect it. Make sure it is ready when the van arrives.  Do any cleaning of windows and cupboards now if you can.

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Fasten a floor plan near the entrance so the movers will place furniture and boxes correctly.

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Be on hand to accept delivery or have someone there on your behalf.  Make sure this person knows exactly what to do.  If no one is present, you could be charged for waiting time.

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When the van arrives, pay the COD charges. The Van Operator must receive payment before he can unload your belongings, unless billing arrangements have been made in advance.

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Position yourself during unloading so you can inspect the condition of your furniture, direct its placement, and mark it on the inventory.  The movers will place rugs and reassemble furniture, but are not allowed to install or attach appliances, curtains, shelves or fixtures.

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Any boxes packed by United at origin are the responsibility of the movers to unpack at destination. These are noted on the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking that you signed at origin.

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During unpacking, pay particular attention that small articles or parts of sets have been unpacked before the packing materials are removed from your house. 

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If you choose to do some or all of the unpacking yourself, note this on the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking.

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Sign the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking, verifying the number of boxes that have been unpacked.

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As soon as possible, check everything that was unpacked. Report any loss or damage immediately.

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