logo
1-804-455-9212
Request a quote

Moving Tips

Helpful Moving Tips from Mason Moving & Storage

Choosing a Mover

Choosing a mover can seem daunting, but Mason Moving & Storage offers these tips to help make it a little easier.

Compare More than One Mover

Mason Moving suggests you request estimates from more than one moving company:

  • Compare rates and exclusive services of each mover
  • Review your estimates verifying that there are no hidden costs
  • Ask questions about anything you don’t understand
company-packer-employee

Determine the Costs of Moving Yourself

If you are exploring the option of moving yourself, research the costs involved and compare them with professional moving estimates. Before starting your research, know how much and far you are moving. Consider the following costs that likely will be factors when moving yourself:

  • Truck rentals
  • Packing materials
  • Rentals of dollies, pad coverings, etc.
  • Additional insurance
  • Gas prices
  • Time involved
Moving Reminders
  • Beds will be disassembled and loaded last. You can stay in your own home until the day of loading.
  • Do not forget to have customer-owned telephones packed. This is something that should be done at the last possible moment.
  • Change of address forms should be sent to the post office and all subscribed to periodicals.
  • Notify the gas, electric and phone companies to discontinue service. The utilities should not be turned off until after the load has been completed.
  • Arrange to have children’s records forwarded to their new school. Also obtain copies of health and dental records.
  • State and City departments should be notified regarding the transfer of any motor vehicles.

Things to remember on Pack Day:

  • Plan to be at home and make yourself available to the movers the entire day of packing. Packing times may vary depending on the amount of packing that is required for your move.
  • For the comfort of the children and convenience, it is often helpful to have them stay with friends or relatives during the relocation process.
  • Have your refrigerator emptied and defrosted prior to loading day. Pack day is the perfect day to do this.
  • If the packers are to pack high value items, such as silver, works of art, furs, etc., Stevens recommends that you make yourself available to view the packing of these particular items. Do not expect items such as money, jewelry, coin collections, etc., to be packed, as Stevens Van Lines cannot accept responsibility for these items.
  • We cannot pack any perishable food items, flammables, aerosols, or corrosive liquids. Please refer to the “Non-Transportable Items” section for a complete list. Please make other arrangements to transport these items.
  • Set aside personal items you will be taking with you so the crew does not pack them in error. This would include all medications, important documents and any items needed while en route to destination.
  • Check drawers, cabinets, and closets in every room for items that may have been missed during the packing.

Things to remember on Delivery Day

  • To ensure that everything that was loaded at origin is delivered at destination, you must check off the inventory yourself. Ask that the driver and helper call off the inventory numbers that are on each box and piece of furniture then mark them off on the inventory as called.
  • Check the condition of each piece as closely as possible upon delivery to your home. There is a column on the inventory for you to note any exceptions or missing items.
  • In the event you should have any missing or damaged items, call your move coordinator as soon as possible and the coordinator will initiate the claim process and begin a trace on the missing items. Upon receipt of the claim form, complete it as soon as possible and return in the self-addressed stamped envelope or online. If you have any questions about completing the forms, do not hesitate to call your move coordinator.
  • Boxes that contain items of high value, such as silver, works of art, etc., should be unpacked immediately and checked for concealed damage.
  • The driver is responsible for setting up the beds and reassembling any items that were disassembled at origin. This would not include hanging pictures or other permanent wall fixtures.
  • If you wish to have unpacking performed, please advise your move coordinator prior to delivery so arrangements can be made.
  • If Mason Moving does the unpacking, we are responsible for removing the empty boxes and paper. If you choose to do your own unpacking, debris removal may be available. Contact your move coordinator to inquire about this service.

Other Moving Tips

Mason Moving & Storage offers several moving tips.

Items that should be handled by the customer include:

  • You should plan on transporting all valuables. This includes items such as money, jewelry, coin collections and important papers.
  • You must also transport all items that are flammable, explosive or corrosive. This includes aerosol cans of any kind, fire extinguishers, paints and paint cleaners, ammonia and bleach.
  • Please see the “Non-Transportable Items” below for a complete list.
  • Due to temperature variations you should transport all types of wine.
  • Lawn mowers and other gasoline-powered engines must be emptied of oil and gas. In addition, gas cans should be washed out to avoid fumes. If moving a garden hose, drain as much of the water out as possible and connect the two ends of the hose together to avoid leakage in the van.
  • Any item affixed to the wall or ceiling must be taken down in order for the movers to pack and ship them. This includes ceiling fans, light fixtures, drapery rods, etc.
  • Any articles located in an attic or an overhead storage area must be brought to floor level for packing and/or loading. Residence damage liability prevents us from being able to access these areas. Please have this done prior to the packing or loading day of your shipment.
  • Trash cans and barbeque grills must be free of debris and washed out prior to loading day
  • The refrigerator and freezer should be emptied and defrosted prior to load day.

Things to remember on Load Day:

  • Make yourself available the entire day of loading.
  • Make travel arrangements for your departure for the day after loading.
  • Plan to leave all utilities on until the day following the loading of your household goods. As communication is key during any relocation, having a phone that is working is invaluable.
  • Check the inventory to see that you agree with the notations made by the driver as to the present condition of your furniture. If there is a discrepancy, please make note of it on the same inventory sheet.
  • Items of extraordinary value that are being shipped by the movers, such as antiques, works of art, etc., should be noted separately on the hi-value inventory, along with their value.
  • Walk through the house, garage, and yard to make sure nothing has been missed once the loading has been completed.
  • On the day of loading, make sure the driver and your move coordinator are aware of how to contact you en route and at destination.

Non-Transportable Items

  • Combustible Liquids
  • Corrosive Liquids
  • Rubbing Alcohol
  • Acids
  • Antifreeze Compounds
  • Rust Preventative
  • Disinfectants
  • Bleach
  • Household Batteries
  • Darkroom & Pool Chemicals
  • Explosives
  • Flammables
  • Black Powder
  • Adhesives (Glues, Cements)
  • Aerosol Cans
  • Fireworks
  • Ammonia & Cleaning Fluids
  • Ammunition (any kind)
  • Gases, Compressed

Non-Transportable Items

  • Hand Signal Flares
  • Gases Used in Welding
  • Kerosene
  • Scuba Diving Tanks (Unpurged)
  • Lighter Fluids/Charcoal/Sterno
  • Propane Tanks (any kind)
  • Matches
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Oil-based Paint Removers
  • Stain, Lacquer, Varnish
  • House Plants
  • Paint Thinners
  • Liquid Polishes
  • Automobile Batteries (Not Part of Auto)
  • Any Type of Combustible Cleaning Material
  • Dynamite, Plastic, or Similar Explosives
  • Weed Killer (pesticides in general)
  • Gasoline/Diesel Fuel/Motor Oil