Moving Tips

The following moving tips have been provided to assist you with packing and will ultimately help save you time and money.

Prior to Moving

• Clear out unwanted goods and perishables – hold a yard or garage sale.
• Dispose of flammables and combustibles – paint, paint thinner, propane tanks, petrol, gas cans and gas cylinders. Flammable liquids and aerosol cans must not be packed. Changes in temperature and pressure can cause them to leak, or even explode. For your own protection, you should know that if you pack these items and they cause damage to your shipment or others, you, not your mover, may be held liable.
• Empty fuel from mowers, clippers, trimmers and so on.
• Remove any items that may leak from dressers and cabinets. Dressers that are solid wood (not presswood/particle board) can remain full of soft items such as clothing & linens.  All other items must be packed and any dresser that is not solid wood must be packed even if it only contains soft goods.
• Begin a list of who should be notified of your new address.
• Arrange to have mail forwarded.
• Arrange termination date for electricity, gas, oil, telephone and other main suppliers.
• If you have the original carton(s) for any flat screen tv’s, now is the time to locate them and have them ready for the movers.
• Now is a good time have rugs (including area rugs) cleaned.
• Develop a game plan. For example, you may plan to pack one room at a time or to pack a few cartons a day, starting well ahead of the move.
• Gather packing supplies – plenty of newsprint and tissue paper, packing tape for sealing cartons, markers identifying carton contents, (always mark cartons on the side.  Never the top), scissors or box cutters, strong, corrugated cartons that close. Note: We can supply you with specially made cartons for everything from mattresses to clothing and mirrors. The added protection of mover-provided cartons may avoid damage that results from the use of poor-quality packing materials.
• Arrange to Kennel family pets on pack/move days
  

  Packing Pointers

  • • Mark all boxes on the side of the box (NOT the top), designating room and type of contents. For example, “Mary’s room – bedding”
    • Write “fragile” on any box that contains breakables.
    • Be sure that bottoms of all cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents.
    • Use crumpled newsprint or tissue pager in between each layer to assure a snug fit wherever there’s a gap as well as a layer on the bottom of the box before adding contents.
    • Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 lbs or less; it makes moving a lot easier.
    • Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items towards the top.
    • Pack heavier items in smaller cartons.  The general rule of thumb is “the heavier the items, the smaller the box”.  You wouldn’t want to pack records, books or magazines in a large carton.

• For cartons containing cleaning supplies mark “up” arrows pointing to which direction is “up” to ensure that nothing will be spilled.
• Shoes, belts, handbags, pillows and lighter items can be placed in the bottom of the wardrobe cartons.
• For light fixtures, lamps and lampshades – Remove bulbs, decorative knobs and shades. Roll up cords. Pack lamps with bedding or wrap separately and place upright in clean, tissue-lined carton. Wrap decorative knobs with packing paper and tape to inside wall of carton that contains shade.
• To save boxes and cost, as well as prevent damage, you may want to move lamp shades in your own personal vehicle
• For dishware – pack dinner and salad plates, saucers, serving plates, bread and butter dishes standing on edge. The edge is more durable than lying them flat.
• For glasses and stemware – place glasses and stemware toward the top of your box in an upright position, not on their sides. Heavier items (dishware, pitchers, etc. should be placed toward the bottom of the box.
• For clocks – remove or secure pendulum in large clocks. Grandfather clocks should be prepared for moving by expert servicemen.
• For mirrors, paintings and pictures – tell our estimator and our movers about valuable paintings that require special care. Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and place on edge in cartons. Large wall or dresser mirrors will be taken down by the movers and placed in a special carton that is stationary on every truck. For added safety, place tape diagonally across mirror to protect better against damage. Do not place newspaper directly against paintings.
• For electronic equipment – unplug all electronic equipment such as television sets, home computers, stereos 24 hours in advance of the move so they will be at room temperature on moving day. Moving a TV set and other electronic equipment in which heat is still retained could cause internal damage. Wrap all cords separately. Label each cord to identify usage and place in a plastic bag away from delicate surfaces. Non-detachable cords should also be wrapped. Pack computers, televisions, stereos and other valuable electronic equipment in original cartons whenever available. Otherwise, use strong, corrugated cartons and wrap an old blanket or protective pad around the item and place it in its carton. Place cords between the padded equipment and the carton.
• For canned goods – pack upright with no more than 24-30 cans per carton. Wrap glass containers and boxed foods individually.
• For tools – drain fuel from power tools (do not ship Flammables under any circumstances). Pack tools in small, strong cartons. Wrap separately if valuable.
• For barbecue grills – wrap grates and briquettes separately in newspaper (or place all briquettes into a grocery bag) and place parts in carton. Pad carton with paper to reduce movement of contents.

Move Day Pointers

• Provide a clear path to each room of the home. If you have done packing of your own, be sure cartons and other furniture are not in the way of the movers.
• Place any items you plan on moving yourself or not moving at all in one area and label it “do not move”. This will avoid confusion and the possibility of the movers taking something you did not intend to move.
• Be prepared to show the movers where you will want all furniture pieces placed in each room of your new home. Make a mental note of how you foresee each room being set up.
• Be sure to move all vehicles that may be in the way of the moving truck. It’s a good idea to inform neighbors that you will have a moving truck at your home in the event they may be blocked in and need to move any vehicles as well.
• Be sure to have your form of payment ready. Credit card, checkbook, etc.  Believe it or not, many people tend to pack these items unintentionally.
• Prior to leaving your origin home, give the driver any specific instructions you may have for parking at the new home once the truck arrives.