RELO Roundtable…a gathering place

Found a rather disturbing note in the inbox from a pregnant mom asking if it was OK for her to disconnect her relatively new gas stove and dryer in preparation for her upcoming relocation. She said the moving company her husband’s company hired told her it was her responsibility but the employer wouldn’t pay for the service call.

It is always the customer’s responsibility to make sure that each of their appliances have been properly disconnected, cleaned and “serviced” before the driver arrives to load.

This means that the property owner either:

• completes the preparations themselves,
• hires a trained, licensed professional; or,
• pays the moving company or other third party to make the arrangements on their behalf.

To service gas appliances entails that a licensed plumber or gas company service representative must disconnect the lines, cap the pipes and test for leaks. They’re also required to reconnect the lines and turn on the gas service, relight the pilots, and re-test for leaks at the new home.

This necessary chore can be especially difficult for young families who have a tendency to want to use all their appliances right up to the time that the moving van pulls up to the curb.

Gas appliance disconnect service should be arranged weeks in advance for the day before your first scheduled load date. Reconnect service can be set-up as soon as possible after the mover confirms your delivery schedule. Your moving company can make these arrangements on your behalf but you will be responsible for any charges associated with the service.

Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish!  Under no circumstances should an inexperienced homeowner try complete the disconnect/reconnect service arrangements themselves. The results can be devastating.