Notify your United Van Lines agent if you add or subtract items from your planned household goods shipment or if there are any changes in dates of the move. Also be sure to supply the destination location, contact address and phone numbers where you can be reached while in transit.

Confirm with your agent any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup or delivery points.

If your car is being moved on the van, you are responsible for driving the car to a suitable site for the van operator to load it. You also are responsible for picking up your car at destination. If car carrier is transporting the car, it can be loaded at your residence and delivered to your new home. In some cases, car shipments are consolidated and need to be dropped off and picked up at predetermined locations. Any damage to your vehicle should be noted at the time of delivery.

When shipping an automobile, a boat or a trailer, it is imperative to properly service the vehicle prior to loading.

To service an automobile:

• Arrange for the gasoline tank to be at least one-half full;
• Test for sufficient antifreeze fluid in the cooling system; and
• Check the oil level.

Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.

Have a "going-away" party for the children and their friends. This gives the youngsters a changce to tell all about the "wonderful new city we're moving to" and to invite their friends to a visit later.

Have some fun for yourself...an open house or an informal dinner or barbecue. Keep it simple, without elaborate preparations. It's the guests who are important.

Make family travel plans. Reserve hotel or motel rooms as needed. You might want to guarantee them on a major credit card in case of late arrival.

Have your car prepared for the trip. Check tires, brakes and windshield wipers. If needed, have the car serviced.

To guard your household goods against damage that could be caused by fire, explosion or leakage in the van:

1. Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, and poisons such as weed killer. Your United agent can provide you with a complete list of "non-allowables."
2. Drain fuel from your power mower and other machinery, and discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach or any other substances that might leak.
3. Carefully tape and place in individual waterproof bags any jars of liquid you plan to take with you, such as prescription medications.
4. Discard all propane tanks because they are not allowed in the van.

Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.

Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify their value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving because some products might soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.

Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Mosture could cause mold if furniture must be placed in storage.

Set up an appointment with a service technician to prepare your appliances for shipment – or have your agent send someone out – at least the day before moving. Pre- as well as post-moving service might be needed for your washer, dryer, ice maker, grandfather clock, satellite dish, waterbed, computer, etc. Third-party servicing likely will be needed before moving such items as hot-tubs, large-screen televisions and some exercise equipment. Think twice before dismantling your outside TV antenna for moving – a new one might cost less than moving the present one.

Set a date for having utilities disconnected. If possible, plan to keep your utilities in service through moving day in case last-minute calls or cleanups are necessary.