This is true of a move. The relocation not only affects the human members of the family, but also the pets. Therefore, it may be necessary for a pet owner to consider securing the services of a professional pet mover.

While such people can be located in the Yellow Pages of a phone book, one may wish to first check with other pet owners, the local veterinarian, or even the neighborhood groomer. In this way, the pet owner will have more than just a listing in the phone book to go by.

A company that provides pet moving services will certainly be knowledgeable of all laws, guidelines, and regulations regarding transporting a pet from one location to another, particularly if it involves the crossing of state or international boundaries. That company will make sure the pet owner is aware of this information; however, it is up to the owner to do whatever is necessary to assure that both the pet and the owner are in compliance.

Advance planning is crucial. The pet may need to have a current veterinary visit on record, as well as receiving any necessary immunizations. Additionally, the pet mover will have to be contacted and a move time scheduled.

Make sure all conditions—weather and otherwise—are going to be favorable at the time the pet is moved. It may be necessary to change plans or re-schedule for a better time.

Speak with the person who will be responsible for moving your pet before the move. Make sure you are comfortable with that person being with your pet.

Before you get ahead of yourself with all the moving responsibilities that will be impressed upon you, you should call your utility company in your state some week or two before your move-in date. And if you are moving out of state, check with the utility companies in that state to arrange for service connection there as well. Before you start making your phone calls to the utility companies, you should be armed with the account numbers for each bill. This would make finding your account a lot easier. Let each company know that you will be expecting service on the morning that you are expected to move in to your new home.

The utility companies should also be able to leave the service on in the old apartment at least until you is all moved out. Remember to give the utility company the right information on the date that you plan on moving and transferring your services. It would also be advisable that you call the utility companies a few days before they are expected to move your services from one house to another. Even if you are moving out of state then you should also use this above mentioned method in informing your new utilities about your move and your intention of applying for new service. In addition to the electricity company you will also need to notify your water company as well and your cable/ internet and telephone providers.

Rooms should be emptied individually. A re-check should be done, with attention to closets and cupboards, to ensure that everything has been removed. The room should then be swept, mopped, or vacuumed, if necessary, and the door closed.

It should be understood that a closed door means a room is emptied, cleaned, and done with. This way, there will be no chance that dirt is tracked into a clean room, or that anything is inadvertantly set down in a room and possibly forgotten.

It may be wise to keep some empty boxes and bags on hand, in the event that a closet was overlooked, or some things simply could not be packed until the last minute. The containers should be clearly labeled, and care taken to ensure that they are loaded.

Any necessary items, such as supplies needed for infant or child care, or any medications that must be taken regularly throughout the day, should be kept separate from all other items. Additionally, important papers, documents, or especially valuable items should be kept separate, secure, and accessible to the owner.

Utilities should be turned off, or arrangements should be made for them to be discontinued within the next few days. The former occupant may also want to take meter readings, and ensure that there no water damage can occur while the house is vacant.

Last looks should be taken, memories stored for future recollection, one chapter closed, and another one opened in life.

It is important that boxes can be easily handled. It does no good to pack a large box as full as it will go if the box cannot be moved with relative ease once it has been packed. Also, while they may hold more, larger boxes will require more space in the transport vehicle, and indeed may not allow for the vehicle to be packed in such a way that all available space can be used.

Clothing, bedding, and other “soft” items can be packed in bags; however, care must be taken to ensure that the bags are either properly labeled to where no error can be made as to what bags contain belongings and what bags may contain garbage, refuse, or even items marked for charity or giveaway.

Packing containers should be loaded in such a way as to make the most use of all available space. Larger objects should be placed inside first, then the area around the item packed with smaller items.

Proper labeling is very important for those who are moving. Boxes can usually be written on directly; however,it may be necessary to find a means of properly labeling a bag. Labeling should not only reflect the contents, but also where the particular container should go.

Unpacking will probably take longer than initial packing. Again, this is where proper labeling and wise use of moving containers is crucial. Items that will be needed immediately should be packed and labeled accordingly; other articles can then be unpacked as time as necessity dictates. Unpacking may take up to two months to complete.

It will probably take approximately four weeks for packing to be completed. Therefore, thought should be given as to what can be packed immediately, and what may need to be packed later.

It is always a good idea to begin the process of elimination before any actual packing is begun. There is no need to pack something if it is not going to be moved and used in the new location.

Once all unnecessary items have been taken care of, seasonal clothing and items as well as belongings in any lesser-used rooms can be packed. Books, videos, DVDs, and things of that nature can be packed, as can items in any garages, outbuildings, or storage areas. Once the items in garages, outbuildings, or storage areas are packed, the resulting space can be used to store the already packed items.

Essential items, of course, will have to be packed over the last few days; however, bedroom items that can be spared can be packed. This can include extra bed clothing, and decorative throws or pillows. Likewise, clothing can be packed, especially if one takes into account the wardrobe needs over the final weeks and plans accordingly.

Home offices should be packed with consideration to fulfilling of current commitments. Those items that must be used daily should be left out, but other items, such as old files and lesser-used equipment can be packed.

The kitchen should not be packed until as close to the actual move date as possible. Bathroom items and other personal belongings may have to be packed on the very day of moving.

When it is realized that belongings must be stored, the benefit will quickly become obvious. Simply put, it is this: Belongings, especially smaller items, need to be packed before storage. And, once they have been packed for storage, they will not have to be re-packed for moving. Careful consideration of what can be stored and what should be kept available will further enhance this.

Once it has been determined which items can best be stored, there are several options. Storage companies provide space ranging from smaller “room-size” units, perfect for storing boxes and smaller items, to larger warehouse-size spaces that can store the contents of an entire house in one central location.

These spaces are almost always lockable; further, many places have an on-site manager. Thus, security of belongings is usually quite adequate. One will wish to make periodic checks on property, however.

There are also “self-storage” modules that can be rented. Once rented, these storage facilities are delivered to a particular location—either the current residence or the new residence. If the new residence is still unoccupied, however, it will be necessary to determine whether or not the modules can be secured in such a way that the contents will be protected.

For this reason, it may be feasible to have the module delivered to the residence that is being vacated. The units are easily moved from one location to another, and arrangements can most likely be made with the company supplying the module to have the unit moved to the new residence once the occupants are present.

The entire family is affected by a relocation decision, especially an overseas move, particularly if the move is not military-related. For that reason, the decision should be discussed with all family members.

Children should be told that an overseas relocation has been offered, and care should be taken to listen to the reactions. Even if the move is inevitable, the fact that the children were included will go a long way towards helping them adjust.

ALLEVIATING THE FEARS OF AN OVERSEAS MOVE

Once the decision to move overseas has been made, children should be informed as soon as possible. At this time, the children should be encouraged to let the parents know of any concerns or fears they may have concerning the move. All questions should be answered to the best of the parents’ abilities.

Learning as much as possible about where the family will be living is one of the best ways to alleviate worry and fear. Adults will benefit from this as well as children

PLANNING THE OVERSEAS MOVE

An overseas move involves more than just traveling from the former residence to the new country. Consideration will have to be given to all aspects the situation.

Arrangements will need to be made for the packing, storing, and shipping of belongings. A professional moving company that operates internationally will probable be needed, as that company will be aware of all laws, rules, regulations, and stipulations involved in an overseas move.

Further, the decision of whether or not to move the entire family at one time may be faced. It may be necessary for only one family member to initially move to the new location, with the others following as soon as the funds are available, and, of course, living arrangements have been obtained.

THE ACTUAL MOVE

No moving experience is easy, but an overseas move has its own concerns. There will be necessary adjustments. However, if one remembers that things and people are different, it will make this process easier.