Take an inventory of your possessions before the movers arrive. You will be asked to sign documents certifying that you received everything in the same condition as when they were packed.
Moving Yourself
Depending on the size and extent of your move, now might be a good time to call in that favor from a friend or relative who owns a pickup truck or trailer. If you’re looking to save money, doing it yourself is an option. You can also lease a cargo truck or trailer. It’s a good idea to call several rental truck companies for estimates. Most companies will charge a deposit and a fee based on the distance and number of days of the move. On top of those fees, you will most likely be charged a fee per mile traveled and costs for packing materials and accessories. Don’t forget the comprehensive liability insurance to cover the rental truck. It’s a small price to pay when driving a heavy, cargo-laden vehicle with which you’re unfamiliar driving.
Moving Costs
The actual transportation of your belongings will most likely pose the biggest drain on your budget. But you also should consider adding in the expenses of travel, food and lodging for you and your family, of selling your home, of searching for a new home, and of any temporary housing you might require while you wait to move into your new home.
Save all receipts of expenditures related to your relocation, and speak with your tax accountant about possible deductions for which you may be eligible.
Postal Services
When you move, the local post office can provide you a change-of-address. The form will require your name, old and new addresses, and the date that the mail should start being forwarded. If you do not have a place to live yet, you can arrange for a short-term postal box for delivery of your mail. Don’t forget to notify magazine publishers, banks and others of your change of address.
Utilities
When moving into a new home, contacting the electric, gas and phone companies is a necessity. Thumbing through a phone book to find the right utility takes time. Adding to the confusion, California residents are now given the opportunity to select which provider from which to order gas and electricity, as well as phone service.
For hookups, the utilities generally require the address of your former service provider, a credit check, name of head of household, place of employment, driver’s license number, Social Security number and a contact phone number.
Electricity: Because of deregulation, Southern California Edison Co. no longer owns and manages all functions of providing electricity to Santa Clarita Valley residents. Edison is still the only electricity provider. Call Edison at 800/655-4555 to turn on or off electricity. The California Public Utilities Commission (800/253-0500) can provide you a list of electrical providers.
Natural Gas: The Gas Co. serves Santa Clarita Valley residents. To request a hookup, call 800/427-2200 (English) or 800/342-4545 (Spanish).
Telephone: SBC (Pacific Bell) is the primary provider of telephone service in the Santa Clarita Valley. The company offers all of your communication needs, ranging from call waiting to caller ID to DSL Internet service.
Since deregulation of the telephone industry, it pays to comparison shop for both local and long-distance service. For service, call 800/310-2355 (English and Spanish). Two to three days notice is needed for connection. If workers must visit your property for installation, allow up to two days for regular service and up to three weeks for DSL installation.
Refuse Removal: Three collection companies serve the area — Atlas Transit Inc., 661/257-2119; Blue Barrel Disposal, 661/259-2398; and Santa Clarita Disposal Co., 661/252-8208. They provide residents with three bins: for trash, for recycling and for yard trimmings.
Water: All water in the Santa Clarita Valley is supplied by the State Water Project or ground wells. Some ground water wells are shallow and tap into the Alluvial Aquifer beneath the Santa Clara River and Bouquet Creek. Others draw water much deeper from the Saugus Aquifer. The Castaic Lake Water Agency is a special water district that supplies State Water Project water from northern California to the valley’s four retail water providers:
- Los Angeles County Waterworks District #36 serves customers located in the area of Hasley Canyon and Val Verde. For information, call 616/297-1600, Ext. 223.
- Newhall County Water District serves customers in the Castaic, Newhall and Pinetree areas. For information call 661/259-3610.
- Santa Clarita Water Co. provides water in Bouquet, Soledad and Sand canyons, as well as southwest Newhall. For information call 661/259-2737.
- Valencia Water Co. serves water users in Valencia and parts of Saugus. For information call 661/294-0828.
Recycling
Residents are encouraged to help protect the environment by practicing regular recycling of aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, newspapers and other items. To reduce the amount of items diverted to the landfills, you may take aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, newspapers, cardboard, phone books, and metals to local recycling centers where you will be paid for your recyclables. At designated times of the year, you can also take household hazardous waste to collection sites as a part of the Santa Clarita Project Pollution Prevention program. For information call the Santa Clarita Environmental Services Division at 661/286-4098.
Automobile Registration/Driver’s License
Individuals relocating from out of state will need to know how to register their vehicle and to get a new driver’s license from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. For information visit or call your local DMV office.
Department of Motor Vehicles
24427 Newhall Avenue, Newhall
800/777-0133
800/368-4327 (speech and hearing impaired callers)
Driving tests are sometimes waived for out-of-state applicants, but the DMV will surely require that you take a written test. Be prepared for the test by picking up a handbook about California laws from the DMV office listed above. On the day of your test appointment, you must have your old driver’s license. You also may be asked to present your birth certificate. After you pass the test to qualify for a California license, you will have to surrender your old license to the DMV.
As new California residents, you have 20 days from the date of accepting California employment to register your vehicle by filling out an application with a DMV official. During this process, the official will inspect your car to make sure the title document accurately describes your vehicle. Then you must take your car to be smog inspected and receive a Certificate of Smog Compliance. Finally, you must show proof-of-purchase of automobile insurance, your last out-of-state registration card, and a valid California driver’s license. Your registration, which will be valid for one year from that date, must be renewed within 90 days of expiration.
Banking
The Santa Clarita Valley is home to numerous banks, savings and loans, and credit unions. When choosing a new financial institution, consider your banking needs and habits. Do you use the ATM often, or do you prefer interacting with a teller to complete your transactions? Do you pay for utilities, food and gas by check, cash or debit? Are your paychecks deposited electronically?
Pets
Your pets must be immunized and licensed by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control. Ask your local veterinarian which vaccinations your pet will require. For complete information on laws concerning pets, visit the Animal Care & Control Center at 31044 N. Charlie Canyon Road, Castaic, or call 661/257-3191.
Plants
Unless you simply cannot part with the plant that has sat in your living room for years, it’s advisable not to transport plants in a moving van. Some states have rules prohibiting the transport of certain plants across state lines, so it’s wise to consider giving plants to friends before you move.
If you must take plants with you, remember that vans are not designed to transport them, and moving companies generally will not accept liability for their well-being. For short moves, plants are relatively safe inside a moving van—that is, of course, if the temperature outside is not extremely hot or cold. For moves that exceed 150 miles, it’s best to personally transport them in your car.
Prepare your plant for a move by following these directions:
- Provide it with extra sunlight for several weeks to let it store the extra energy that it will need for an extended trip.
- Prune back overgrown leaves and branches about a month before moving, and curtail feeding to minimize growth.
- Thoroughly water the plant the day before you move, and cover it with a plastic bag to retain moisture and warmth. Finally, place the plant in a sturdy carton to keep it from tipping over.
- For more suggestions on moving your plants, contact a local florist or greenhouse.
Should you move yourself with your own vehicle or a rental truck, or should you hire a moving company? We’ll try to help you answer these questions.
Hiring a Moving Company
Be cautious when selecting a moving company. Ask friends for referrals instead of relying solely on the phone book. Get at least three estimates, of which there are generally two types:
A binding estimate comes with a minimal fee. It details every service and price included in the move, and forbids the company from charging additional fees for any service or problem.
A non-binding estimate is often done with no charge to the prospective customer. Every item and service is written down in detail, with the price on each page. Do not sign this estimate until you understand it fully. After you have moved, keep the bill because you may need to use it for damage and loss claims. The final price can be up to 10 percent greater than the original estimate.