Gannett News Service

Millions of people move their households each year in the United States. Organization is the key to success, but there's nothing like experience to teach you to pack the vacuum last and take the phone in the car with you.

If your present home is for sale, take advantage of the weeks before that terrific we'll buy it offer comes along, suggest the experts. Get rid of clutter and items that aren't used frequently. Have a garage sale.

A stack of packing boxes in the living room may deter prospective buyers, but a neat pile of packed and labeled cartons in the garage is acceptable. The pros suggest keeping a running inventory or master list of what has been packed.

National moving companies and their affiliates provide a range of services, including free, tip-filled booklets. They will provide written estimates about the size of the truck needed, packing costs and probable overall weight of the shipment. Most local movers will provide free in-house estimates, based on hourly or daily rates. Find out what state board licenses and regulates moving companies. If a moving company has an Interstate Commerce Commission number but not a state license, it may only service between-state moves.

The U.S. Postal Service hosts MoversNet, a comprehensive Internet site (check out www.usps.gov) that includes money-saving coupons, along with links to moving companies and utilities. The site is an interactive version of the Mover s Guide kit which can be obtained at post offices.

For long distance or company moves, especially where an employer is footing the bill, there s a trend toward using relocation counselors. With contacts all over the country, relocation pros can coordinate the sale or purchase of a residence and home inspection, along with the actual move.

This checklist will help smooth your move:

• Reserve equipment early.
• Try to avoid last-minute hassles. When getting estimates, consider the extras you'll need, such as loading dollies, rope, bubble wrap, and furniture pads.
• Organize addresses, phone numbers, and services.
• As soon as you know where you ll be living, order new printed address labels. Fill out change-of-address forms at the Post Office. With a long-distance move, arrange for a new checking account or obtain traveler's checks. Notify utilities at old and new addresses about billing changes at least a week or two in advance. Obtain a phone book of your new community before the move.
• Take your old phone book when you leave. Consider call-forwarding, or an overlap of phone service at both homes.
• If it's a long-distance move, check the safe-deposit box and pack important papers in a fireproof box.
• Sort through belongings and pack by category.
• Return library books, along with those tools and videotapes borrowed from the neighbors.
• Discard or give away flammables, such as paint and gasoline for the mower. Buy packing supplies, or round up clean, empty cartons from the office or from local stores.
• Pack top-priority items last, and stash them in a specific (labeled) corner because there are some things you can't do without very long. Put cleaning equipment, clean sheets, towels, toiletries and a change of clothes in a convenient box or suitcase, and hand-carry them along with small valuables.
• Get appliances and tools ready for transit. The refrigerator should be emptied and defrosted a day or two ahead, the dryer vent system must be undone, and the washing machine hose needs draining. Drain and clean the lawn mower.
• Keep a basic tool box handy. Pack it with markers, plastic bags and paper towels, along with put-it-together basics such as screwdrivers and a pocketknife.
• Involve the kids in the move. Let the little ones pack snacks and favorite foods for the trip. Take pictures of the old home and friends, and encourage kids to start a scrapbook and a list of priority items. Some companies have free moving packets for children.