Do you know how to prepare your computer for a move? How about items a mover can’t take on the van? If you don’t, you’ve come to the right place!

In this section you will find helpful tips to prepare you for a smooth move. (Don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz at the end.)

If there’s anything we haven’t answered for you, please contact your Customer Service Coordinator.

• Travel Tips
• Appliances
• Computers
• Electronics
• Houseplants
• Printers/Copiers/Faxes
• What We Cannot Move
• Valuable Items

• Make sure you let your Sales Person/Surveyor know about everything concerning your move during your in-home survey. Missing details can dramatically impact your estimate (i.e., amount of time, equipment and/or people we'll schedule to handle your move.) So please call as soon as possible if something comes to mind.
• Your Customer Service Coordinator is your ambassador during the move, and he/she can help you with anything you need. For help after-hours, we will provide a toll-free number during your in-home estimate. Keep it handy during your move, and call us if you need anything.
• Make sure you accurately estimate the valuation of your household goods. Your Sales Person can help.
• Moving is a good time to dispose of unwanted items. Consider a garage sale.
• If possible, hire a babysitter to care for small children during packing, loading, and unloading days.

Don’t forget to use the Welcome Home® labels provided in your PreMove Kit to identify the five Graebel-packed containers you want immediately unpacked at destination at no additional cost. (*This service is restricted to moves of 5,000 lbs. or more.)

• Secure your valuables off the premises before the first pack day.
• Ask your Driver to explain all notations before you sign the inventory form. By signing, you are agreeing on the condition of your items as stated on the form.
• Make sure your Coordinator knows how and where to reach you while your goods are in transit. Have the telephone (or your cell number) in your new home operable on delivery day so we can reach you.
• You may want two people to be present at your new home during delivery—one person to check the inventory sheets and the other to direct furniture placement.
• During delivery, set up a small table (cartons can be used) as your writing surface for the inventory check-in process. You must check-in all items as they are unloaded and note exceptions (this is critical) for any missing and/or damaged item.

Travel tips - Moving Your Family While We Move Your Home

• Pack a snack.
• Break up the trip with occasional stops. When stopping isn’t convenient, break out the snacks.
• To make lodging reservations if your move will take more than a day, phone ahead.
• Drive safely and have a good trip! We look forward to seeing you safe and happy in your new home.

Moving Appliances

Appliances need special care before being transported. Remember to shut off power before connecting/disconnecting or removing large appliances. If more than unplugging is required, we suggest you contact your local appliance store for appliance servicing. You will find more information about how to prepare appliances in your PreMove Kit.

Packing Computers for the Moving Truck

Computers should be backed up before loading. If the hard drive is damaged during transport, data could be lost. Before moving your personal computer, you should follow certain procedures to protect your system from mechanical failure or damage due to normal physical shock that occurs during transport. These guidelines, provided in part by the American Moving and Storage Association, are your responsibility and should be taken prior to the first packing day so your computer is ready for packing:

• CD ROM Drive:

Remove all CD's from your drive before packing and return to their cases.

• Floppy Disk Drive:

It is important to remove any inserted disk from the floppy disk drive. Nothing should be inserted into the drive in preparation for transport. The drive should be left empty.

• Hard Disk:

For a computer with an operating system prior to Windows® 95, contact the manufacturer's technical support for specific shipping instructions. These systems may need to "park and lock" their recording heads prior to shipping to prevent damage to the hard disk.

For a computer with an operating system of Windows® 95 or higher, there is no need to manually "park and lock" the recording heads. This is done automatically when the system is shut down.

Apple® (Macintosh) computer owners should review the owner's manual or contact Apple technical support for shipping preparation instruction.

Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc. Apple® is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

• Be sure to properly shut down the system (turn it off).
• Before unplugging power cables, it's a good idea to label each cord and its port with color-coded stickers so the system can be easily reassembled when it reaches your new home.
• Contact the manufacturer for additional instructions.
• Your system's original packing carton is the best choice because the rigid Styrofoam packing materials hold the system securely in place. If not available, Graebel will provide protection for transporting the system.
• Other Peripherals:

- Here too, original shipping containers are best. Refer to your owner's manual for special instructions for moving scanners, external drives, speakers and so forth.

Keeping Electronics Safe On The Moving Van

Try to pack electronics in original boxes. Refer to your owner's manuals about special moving instructions.

• Compact Disc/Digital Video Disc Player:

Remove all disks and magazines from the player and lock the unit (most players have a lock underneath) prior to packing to prevent transit damage due to vibration. The player should be packed flat, not on its side.

• Home Theaters:

Code all home theater cables and corresponding ports with colored tape or stickers to ease re-assembly

• Television Sets:

Some must be serviced both before and after the move. Check with your dealer and/or owner's manual for special moving instructions.

• Satellite Dish / Antennas:

Some must be serviced both before and after the move. If plans include moving antennas and small dishes, these should be removed from the building and disassembled (if necessary) by your dealer. Check with your satellite dish service provider–some will provide a free dish at your new home as long as the existing one remains intact at your current residence.

• Video Cassette Recorder (VCR):

VCR doors should be closed (DO NOT push open with paper), and tapes removed. The unit must be packed flat, not on its side.

Houseplants and Your Home Move

Graebel DOES NOT assume liability for plants and does not require Drivers to move plants. Some states have strict rules about plants crossing their borders to protect agriculture. Moving is very stressful for plants. Consider giving them to friends, hospitals or libraries, or selling them (during your garage sale).

Your Driver decides whether or not he/she will move your plants, but no one will move plants if:

• The distance is more than 150 miles and/or delivery is not completed within 24 hours of loading.
• Storage is required en route.
• Any maintenance, such as watering, is required.

Printers/Copiers/Fax Machines - Packing For The Moving Truck

Original shipping containers are best. Refer to the owner's manual for special instructions. Remove all paper from any printer or combo unit to prevent paper jams in the components during transport.

• Laser printers or combination units: remove the toner cartridge to prevent an open cartridge from spilling toner during transport, which can cause damage.
• Inkjet printers: can be transported with the toner cartridge intact.
• Pin printers: remove the print head and ink cartridge before transport.

What We Cannot Load Onto The Moving Truck

Graebel is committed to safely transporting your belongings. We will not transport potentially hazardous items, including typical household cleaning products that can produce deadly gases or spontaneous combustion when mixed with other chemicals.

In addition, all foodstuffs (whether fresh, frozen, dried or canned) should be considered perishable and excluded from non-temporary storage.

For a complete list, please refer to the PreMove Kit furnished during your in-home survey inspection.

Handling Valuable Items During Your Home Move

Graebel cannot ship under any circumstances:

• Cash
• Checks - personal/bank
• Coin collections
• Collector's memorabilia
• Credit cards
• Fur coats
• Jewelry or watches
• Medications or prescription eyewear
• Stamp collections
• Valuable or rare documents, i.e. tax papers, bank loans

Collectibles, Artwork and Other Valuables

• Antiques
• China
• Computer software
• Crystal
• Figurines
• Fine art
• Oriental rugs
• Silver service sets