North American provides a variety of corporate programs and services for companies on the move. Specialized programs can be custom tailored to meet special needs. These special services include complete door to door services.

To help organize your move, print this page, keep it handy, and check it off as you go.

If possible, allow up to 30 days to plan your move and schedule any activities you want to complete before moving day.

Avoid peak periods for moving, if possible: the first few days and the last few days of the month are times when everyone wants to move.

Start planning early, and you'll be surprised how smoothly things can go.

The following checklist is designed to help you plan.

Conduct an inventory. Decide what to move and what not to move.

Make arrangements for your trip (hotel/airline reservations, drive routing, etc.).

Schedule a moving sale for items you won't move. Donate other items to charitable organizations (ask for a receipt for tax records).

Arrange for packing. Your North American agent can make these arrangements and provide special packing cartons.

Gather your personal records: medical, dental, school, birth, baptism, marriage, etc. Send transcripts of your school records in advance to the new school.

Close local department store and other local charge accounts.

Arrange with employer to forward tax withholding forms.

(and make arrangements to start these services in your new location):

Newspaper delivery Water softener service Electricity (check for refund)

Water service Gas service (check for refund) Fuel or oil delivery

Garbage collection Diaper service Lawn/pool service

Other household services

Mail change of address cards to:

Post office Social Security office Insurance companies Credit cards

Magazines Friends and Relatives Mail order accounts

Fill, transfer and pack prescriptions for family and pets.

Arrange for shipments of plants and pets. Get immunization records for pets.

Safely dispose of or give away all flammables (paints, paint removers, etc.) as they will be impossible to move.

Defrost refrigerator and freezer, plus allow air-drying to prevent mildew. Arrange for disposal of frozen foods (sell, give away, or eat). Clean oven.

Transfer/close checking and savings accounts.

Drain fuel and oil from lawn mowers and other power equipment.

Drain garden hoses.

Pack items to be carried in car. Label "Do Not Move."

Gather valuables from safe deposit box, drawers, jewelry cases, personal records. Pack safely to take with you.

Send clothing, draperies, curtains, rugs out for cleaning and leave in wrapping. Take down curtain rods, shelves, TV antenna.

Have car serviced for trip and have proof of insurance in car.

Remember to pack a box of the basics you'll need on move-in day (tools, paper products,

all-purpose household cleaners, etc.). Be sure to have it loaded last so that it will be first off at

your new home.

Pack suitcases for trip. Remove all bed linens.

Be available to check items on inventory sheet.

Conduct a last minute walk through with your van operator. Make sure windows are closed, closets empty, lights out and doors locked.

Be available to check off items on the inventory as they are removed from the van.

To help you answer questions about your move, print this page and keep it handy.

Q: What's the best way to prepare children for a move?

A: While there are probably as many answers to this question as there are children, here are some helpful tips:

Talk freely to your children about what the move will mean.

Keep to your normal routine as much as possible.

Keep familiar items (toys, books, blankets, teddy bears, etc.) out in the open and readily available (and don't pack the blanket).

If possible, take your children to your new community before the move to acquaint them with their new surroundings.

Above all, listen to what your children have to say, and keep the lines of communication open and honest.

For more information, ask your North American Van Lines representative for a copy of our A Moving Experience brochure.

You'll find a complete description of it in Moving with Children.

Q: Why do movers sometimes put more than one household shipment on a trailer?

A: In order to keep your costs down; the average trailer holds from 18,000 to 24,000 pounds; the equivalent of three to four household shipments.

Q: Can a mover transport our plants and pets to our new home?

A: Plants, perhaps. Pets, no. Federal regulations allow a mover to transport plants if the trip is fewer than 150 miles and under

24 hours. However, some states may want to quarantine them anyway. In the event that this should happen, your mover won't be able to ensure their proper care. Federal regulations prohibit moving companies from shipping animals in moving vans. If your pets and plants can't travel with you, ask your North American agent to help you make arrangements to safely transport them to your new home. Ideally, pets and plants travel best in your own car.

Q: What about perishable food items?

A: Perishable food items cannot be safely shipped in moving vans. Please dispose of or give away perishable foods before the move.

Q: What's the best way to prepare a PC for safe transport?

A: When packing a personal computer, these steps will help you prepare it for safe transport. To pack your computer, we strongly recommend that you use the computer's original carton and packing materials. If they're not available, use a box that is both strong and big enough to hold the computer, and pack it with unprinted newspaper. For more advice, your local computer dealer can answer other questions. Other things to consider:

1. Back up your software and data files. These should be taken with you or sent to your destination via insured mail.

2. Park the hard drive (if applicable). See your computer's instruction manual for special steps to take. With newer computers, simply turning the power off initiates this safety feature.

3. Insert cardboard or old disk(s) into disk drive(s).

4. Unhook all cables and power cords, indicating their positions for ease in setup. Pack cords separately with manuals and software.

5. Use only static-free packing materials like clean, wadded unprinted newsprint (not standard bubble wrap or packing peanuts).

6. Create a base layer of wadded unprinted newsprint and place computer on top of layer. Then surround sides and top with more wadded unprinted newsprint until firmly packed, and seal carton with packing tape.

7. Remove all ink cartridges from the printer.

Q: What should I do with gas in the lawn mower, leftover paint, turpentine, etc.?

A: It's against the law for North American to transport flammable and combustible materials. Safely drain or dispose of all combustible and corrosive materials, including: household paints, bleaches, propane tanks, gas cans, and fuel in power equipment.

Q: What are accessorial services?

A: Accessorial services are any services provided to you in addition to the line haul transportation. Your agent can fully explain the total range of services available, including: crating, packing, unpacking, appliance services, elevator, stair and long carries, or shuttle service if access to your residence is limited and a second, smaller truck is necessary.

Q: What are inventory exceptions?

A: For your protection, when your household goods are delivered to your new home, your van operator will ask you to check off items as they are removed from the van and sign the inventory of household goods. If any items or cartons are missing or damaged, you must note this on the inventory sheet at the time of delivery. This is known as an "inventory exception."

Q: Am I allowed to pack my own belongings?

A: You can pack your own items and save money, if you wish. However, North American cannot be responsible for items you pack yourself. If you decide to pack your own belongings, ask your agent for our Guide to Better Packing, or visit our Packing Tips web page. Your agent can also supply you with all the items you'll need to do your own packing. But, for just pennies per pound, you can have North American's trained packing crew pack your belongings (and we're responsible).