MOVING TIPS

Clear out unwanted goods—hold a garage sale.
Get rid of flammables—paint, fuel, gas cylinders.
Empty fuel from gas powered tools and lawn equipment.
Consider whether you need all of the clothing you have, and donate or consign unneeded items.
Separate books—disposable, family reading, valuable.
Make sure all of your appliances are compatible with your new home.
Start making up a change of address list and arrange to have mail forwarded. Forms can be obtained at www.usps.com.
Arrange termination date for utilities for the day after the move.
Gather any original boxes you have for electronics.
Gather personal documentation—marriage/birth certificates, licenses, Passports, etc. and set them aside to be moved with you.
If you are moving out of the US and are moving your car, check on import regulations and duties. There may be documentation you must gather well in advance of your move.
Make sure vaccinations and documentation for your pets are up to date.
Will your new home be ready? If not, you need to arrange temporary storage.
Its never too early to find out about your new home; start researching family interests to prepare for their transition.
Start using up freezer stocks. Remember, these items cannot move with you.
Arrange finances—close or transfer accounts if necessary.
Take your old phone book with you in case you have to contact a former neighbor, doctor, or service provider.

Packing Materials

If you are doing your own packing, use only strong, corrugated cardboard boxes with flaps that can be taped. 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. Some used boxes obtained from grocery stores or liquor stores were not meant to be repeatedly reused. Cartons from liquor stores that have been cut around the top should not be used. Old newspaper can be used as packing material, but remember that ink can rub off and stain clothing or other items and should never be used for fine china. Keep in mind when getting boxes from food stores that insect eggs and insects such as roaches can and do sometimes travel in those boxes. Rubbermaid tubs are acceptable as long as they have a securely fitting lid that can be taped and they aren’t overloaded; remember that you should be trying to keep to no more than 50 pounds per box.

Here is a list of packing material that may come in handy:

Packing paper (newspaper, or blank newsprint)
Foam peanuts
Tissue or craft paper for delicate items
Corrugated paper rolls for figurines and other fragile items
Packing tape for sealing cartons. Make sure the tape you use is made for boxes and seal all flaps securely.
Markers and/or labels for identifying carton contents and room location
Scissors and/or sharp knife

Packing Pointers

Before beginning to pack, have a game plan.

Take an honest look at what you plan to pack. Do you love it and use it? If not, you may want to discard or donate it. If you make this decision now, both packing and unpacking will be much less stressful for you.
Pack one room at a time and label the cartons accordingly.
Pack just a few cartons a day, starting well ahead of the move.
Be sure to have plenty of “filling” material available. Boxes should be filled so that when they are sealed they don’t easily crush. Crumpled paper can be used in smaller cartons and in larger boxes, you may wish to use throw pillows, extra blankets, or other soft bulky items.
Be sure that the bottoms of all cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents.
Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Try to keep a per box weight of 50 pounds or less. A general rule to remember on carton size; the heavier the item, the smaller the carton.

Packing Dish-ware

Select a medium-sized carton (or mover provided dishpack) and line the bottom of the carton with crumpled packing paper.
With packing paper stacked neatly in place on a work table, center one plate on the paper.
Grasp a corner on several sheets of packing paper and pull the paper over the plate until sheets completely cover the plate. Stack a second plate on and, moving clockwise, grasp a second corner and pull sheets over the second plate.
Stack a third plate. Grasp remaining two corners, folding two sheets of each corner (one at a time) over the plate.
Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing paper.
Re-wrap the entire bundle: start with one corner of packing paper and pull two sheets over the bundle, cover bundle with next corner, then the third corner; and finally, the fourth.
Seal the bundle with packing tape.
Place the bundle of dish-ware in a medium-size box so that the plates are standing on edge

Use this process on all saucers, bread and butter dishes, and other dishware. When packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack in greater quantity.

Packing Cups

With packing paper in place on the work table, position one cup six to eight inches from one of the corners.
Now pull the near corner of the paper up and over the cup.
Nest a second cup directly on top, with handle to left (second cup should "nest" itself in packing paper folded over the bottom cups).
Pull the two side corners up and over, one at a time, and tuck corners inside the top cup.
Hold the bottom and top cup in position and roll cups to the remaining corner. Fragile mixing bowls may be rolled in the same manner.
Delicate cups, like china, should be wrapped one at a time. Antique glass or china should be stuffed with crumpled tissue and wrapped one at a time.

Packing Glasses and Stemware

Stuff glasses and stemware with crumpled tissue or packing paper before wrapping.
Lay on the corner of packing paper and roll it one or two full rotations (depending on size); pull sides of packing paper up and over glass/stemware and continue rolling to the far corner. Corrugated paper rolls or cellular boxes may be used for added protection.
Place glasses and stemware toward the top of your box. Heavier items (dish-ware, pitchers,etc.) should be placed toward the bottom of the box.

Delicate glassware and stemware should be placed in an upright position, not on its side.

No matter what you're packing, you should use crumpled packing paper in between each layer to assure a snug fit wherever there's a gap. All boxes with "fragile" items should be marked accordingly.

Specialized Packing Tips

This is not a comprehensive list of packing pointers but these are very important items to keep in mind. If you have any questions about anything not listed here, please do not hesitate to ask us.

Bureau Drawers

**Note—If your shipment is going to storage, bureau drawers need to be emptied and their contents packed.

For direct deliveries, you can leave items in drawers. Do not overload them; this can cause damage to the piece and make it very difficult to move. Remove any prohibited items and any items that may break or leak. Jewelry and other high value items should travel with you.

Canned Goods and Other Non-Frozen Food

Pack upright with no more than 24-30 cans per carton. Don’t attempt to move perishables. Wrap glass containers and boxed foods individually and pack in small cartons. Oils, vinegars, and other liquids should not be moved.

Frozen Foods and Plants

Because of the delicate and perishable nature of these items, your mover is prohibited from accepting them.

Clocks

Remove and pack the pendulum in large clocks. Secure the pendulum in smaller clocks. Grandfather clocks should be prepared for moving and set up at destination by expert servicemen.

Drapes and Curtains

Hang drapes over crossbars in wardrobe cartons, or pack folded in clean cartons. Remove curtains from rods, fold and pack in cartons or bureau drawers.

Flammables and Combustibles

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 may be held liable.

Lamps and Lampshades

Remove bulbs, harps, and shades. Roll up cord. Pack lamps with bedding or wrap separately and place upright in clean, tissue-lined carton. Wrap harp and finial (decorative knob) with packing paper and tape to inside wall of carton that contains shade. Wrap shades in tissue, not newspaper. Place upright in large, tissue lined cartons.

Medicines

Seal caps with tape. Wrap and pack upright in small cartons. If needed during travel, carry with you.

Mirrors, Paintings, and Pictures

Tell your agent about valuable paintings for special care instructions. Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and place on edge in cartons. Place large pictures and paintings on edge in heavy cardboard containers. Large wall or dresser mirrors will be taken down by the movers and placed in special cartons. For added safety, place tape diagonally across mirrors to better protect against damage. Never use newspaper directly against paintings.

Personal Computers and Other Electronics

Pack valuable electronic equipment in original cartons when available. Otherwise, use strong, corrugated cartons and place protective padding on the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket or protective pad around the item and place it in its carton. Place additional padding between the carton and the electronic component. Wrap cords separately, label to identify usage and place in plastic bags away from delicate surfaces. Non-detachable cords should also be wrapped. Place cords between the padded item and the carton. Inkjet cartridges can leak in transit and should be removed from printers and places in a plastic bag or small container.

Silverware

Wrap each piece in cloth or low sulfur content paper to prevent tarnishing. Use an old blanket or moving pad as a wrap to prevent scratching the silverware chest.

Tools

Drain fuel from power tools. Pack tools in small, strong cartons. Wrap separately.

Waterbed Mattresses

Drain all water from the waterbed and, grasping internal baffle systems by the external vinyl, fold mattress 20 inches at a time, taking care to avoid making creases across individual baffles. Consult your owner’s manual for special instructions concerning the care and transportation of your mattress. Do not place your mattress in a carton with sharp or pointed objects.

Cars and Motorcycles

Cars and motorcycles shipped on the moving van should be drained nearly empty of fuel. Motorcycle batteries should be disconnected. Automobile antifreeze should be ample to protect against severe cold in winter.

Barbecue grills and propane tanks

Wrap grates and briquettes separately in a newspaper (or place all briquettes into a grocery bag) and place parts in carton. Pad carton with paper to reduce movement of contents. Propane tanks cannot be moved.