Packing Tips & Suggestions
The 4 kinds of packing:
- Full-service packing-we will pack everything from top to bottom
- Partial packing-you pack some, we pack the rest
- Fragile Packing-we will pack only your breakable and high-value items such as:
- Dishes and Glassware
- Fragile Furniture
- Artwork and Mirrors
- Do-It-Yourself Packing. This is a big job, but can also save you money on your relocation costs. See below for more information on "Do-It-Yourself" Packing.
Do-It-Yourself Packing:
- First, we recommend you start with professional materials including:
- Tissue Paper
- Packing paper (plain newsprint)
- 2" Packing tape
- Masking tape
- A utility knife
- Scissors
- Permanent Markers
- Professional quality boxes. Boxes are available for purchase.
- All packing should be completed before the evening of the loading day. Only the personal items that you will need that evening, and on the morning of moving day should be left for last minute.
- Follow a timetable - people often underestimate how long it takes to pack.
- Start with items you won't need right away, such as belongings stored in the basement, garage, or attic.
- Packing room by room will help you stay organized.
- Establish work areas in each room.
- Plates and other flat, breakable items should be packed on end vertically rather than placed flat and stacked.
- Wrap pictures and mirrors in a sheet, blanket, or bubble wrap before boxing to give them added protection.
- Provide plenty of cushioning by packing loosely crumpled, plain newsprints in the bottom of boxes - leave room at the top for more crumpled paper.
- Wrap all fragile, breakable items in paper first before packing them in boxes.
- Pack large, heavy items first, and smaller items next, filling in all empty spaces with plain newsprint.
- Use only sturdy cartons that can be easily closed (don't overstuff), then tape the top seams securely.
- DO NOT USE plastic containers or totes to pack your items. They easily crush when stacked and may cause damage to your belongings.
- Label the boxes clearly: your name, the room where the box should go in your new home, and a brief description of the contents.
Electronics Care:
- When packing a large screen TV and other electronics...
- If you no longer have the original carton and packing materials, carefully pack the item in a sturdy carton that has been lined with newsprint or styrofoam “peanuts”
- Securely seal the carton and mark the outside “extremely fragile”
- When packing your personal computer, printer, scanner, or other equipment...
- Disconnect and mark all wires and cables easily for assembly
- Detach paper holders/feeders from printers and wrap monitors and additional hardware as you would other home electronics
- Remove toner and ink cartridges
- Back up all of your computer files on DVDs or other file storage disks/devices
- Consult your PC user manual for additional instructions/precautions
What NOT To Pack:
- Valuable and irreplaceable items should be transported with you rather than on the moving truck. These items include:
- Jewelry, cash, checkbooks, bank records
- Personal files and paperwork (passports, birth certificates, deeds, etc.)
- Firearms
- Family photos
- Food in glass jars and perishable foods
- Prescription drugs needed for immediate use
- Hazardous Materials such as explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives and radioactive materials CAN NOT be on the moving truck. These include:
- Nail polish remover
- Paints and thinners
- Lighter fluid
- Gasoline
- Fireworks
- Oxygen bottles
- Propane tanks/cylinders
- Automotive repair and maintenance chemicals/fluids
- Radio-pharmaceuticals
- Matches
