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Copyright © 1998 The Seattle Times Company

Lifestyles: Sunday, July 5, 1998

Mastering your next move

U.S. residents move more than anyone else in the world - an average of 12 times over a lifetime.

In fact, about 17 percent of the population moves each year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and about half of that great shift of 43 million Americans happens during the summer months. For one thing, the weather is better. For another, families want to be resettled before school starts.

Why do we move so much?

More than half of moves are job-related: 40 percent are corporate relocations and 18 percent are military or government relocations. The other 42 percent are for personal reasons, according to the American Movers Council.

The typical moving company customer is a married couple between the age of 25 and 44, with one or two children between the ages of 2 and 11. And they're moving more stuff than ever before.

Mayflower Transit notes that the average shipment of household goods now weighs 7,100 pounds - the equivalent of six full rooms with appliances - and it's rising. The increase is attributed to Americans buying more electronic goods - computers and bigger TV sets - and home gym equipment, which adds to the total weight of possessions moved.

And while moving is one of life's most stressful events - the Employee Relocation Council ranks it third behind death and divorce - proper planning and preparation can ease the way.

Here are some suggestions from moving companies:

Six weeks before the move

-- Take an objective look at what you own and decide what can be left behind. Books you've read and will never read again? The omelet pan with a broken handle? Long-neglected children's games? Extra weight on the moving van costs more.

-- Organize a garage sale if you have items worth selling.

-- Contact moving companies and get estimates. Pay attention both to cost and what the mover will do to make your move as smooth as possible. Ask for estimates to include the option of having the company pack some or all of your belongings. The time and effort you save might be worth the cost. While the mover is liable for breakage to any items it packs, you're responsible for damage to items you have boxed.

-- Start a central file for all the details of your move. A brightly colored organizer folder with pockets is less likely to be misplaced. Collect all receipts for moving-related expenses. Depending on the reason for your move, you may be entitled to a tax deduction.

-- Draw a floor plan of your new home and consider where you'll want to place furniture. Mark and label specific pieces of furniture on your diagram. If a piece of furniture won't fit, don't take it with you.

-- Make any personal travel arrangements - flights, hotel, rental cars - for your trip.

Five weeks before the move

-- Select your mover and discuss dates and cost.

-- Decide now whether you want to pack yourself or hire the mover to do it.

-- Start gathering boxes if you decide to pack by yourself. Your mover can provide boxes best suited for moving, including special containers for clothing on hangers, lamp shades and dishes.

Four weeks before the move

-- Notify the post office, magazines, credit-card companies, friends and family of your change of address. The U.S. Postal Service offers a kit to make this process easier.

-- Call utilities to schedule disconnection of gas, water, electricity, telephone and cable TV on the day following your move.

-- Talk with your mover to schedule disconnection and service of major appliances being moved a few days before your move.

-- Complete any repair work on your old home and arrange for services needed at your new home.

-- Start your self-packing with seldom-used items: fancy dishes, specialty cookware, nonessential clothing, curios, decorative items.

Three weeks before the move

-- Inventory your everyday household goods such as radios, pots and pans and small appliances. Decide which you will discard.

-- Start your serious self-packing. Label contents of all boxes.

-- Make sure you have your driver's license, auto registration and insurance records.

-- Plan food purchases to have as little as possible in the freezer and refrigerator by the time you move. Use all frozen items.

-- Arrange to clean your new home as close to move-in as possible.

-- Arrange for copies of school and medical records and make bank safe-deposit arrangements in your new town.

-- Hold a garage sale.

Two weeks before the move

-- Check with your insurance company to cancel current coverage or transfer coverage to your new home.

-- Meet with your bank to change account status.

-- Transfer prescriptions to a drugstore in your new town.

-- Cancel delivery services.

-- Have your car serviced if you will be driving it to your new location.

One week before

-- Mow your lawn.

-- Dispose of toxic and flammable items. Drain gasoline and oil from gas-powered tools such as mowers and snowblowers. Movers won't take them if they are full.

-- Arrange for child care on moving day if you have young children.

-- Pack your suitcase with clothes for the move.

-- Put your "open first/load last" boxes in a separate place so the mover can identify them.

-- Pay outstanding bills.

One or two days before the move

-- Expect movers to arrive to start the packing process.

-- Empty and defrost refrigerator and freezer; clean both with disinfectant and let them air out. Put baking soda inside to keep them fresh.

-- Arrange for payment to the moving company.

-- Empty your safe-deposit box. Plan to take important papers, jewelry, cherished family photos, irreplaceable mementos and vital computer files with you.

-- Write directions to your new home for the van operator, provide the new phone number and include numbers where you can be reached in transit.

-- Leave your forwarding address and phone number for your home's new occupants.

Moving day

-- Remove linens from beds and pack in an "open first" box.

-- Review all details and paperwork when movers arrive. Accompany van operator to take inventory. Verify delivery plans.

-- Give the home a final cleaning.

Move-in day

-- If you arrive before the movers, tidy up your new home. This is a good time to line cupboards with shelving paper, if you plan to do so.

-- Unpack your car.

-- Check to make sure utilities have been connected and follow up on any delays.

-- Confine pets in an out-of-the-way room or consider boarding them overnight at a local kennel.

-- Plan to be present when the moving van arrives.

-- Assign oversight duties: One person should check the inventory sheets as items are unloaded; a second person should direct the movers on where to place items.

-- Unpack only what you'll need for the first day or two, once items are unloaded. Give yourself at least two weeks to unpack and organize your belongings.

10 things most often overlooked in a move

5 things to bring:

-- Medical and dental records
-- Veterinarian, pet vaccination records
-- Children's school records, with official seal
-- Phone books from your old town, and your own forwarding address
-- Safe-deposit-box items

5 things to do:

-- Finish up your local business - such as dry cleaning to pick up.
-- Set up a bank account in the new town ahead of time for immediate access when you arrive.
-- Arrange transport for plants and animals; most moving companies won't take them.
-- Keep out cleaning supplies for a last-minute once-over.
-- Leave the electric garage-door opener and all the spare house keys for the new residents.