TIPS

Proper packing is the most important thing that you the shipper, can do to save time, money, and aggravation! Basically, use common sense when packing. Pack heavier items like books and canned goods in smaller boxes, and pack lighter items in progressively larger boxes. Never make a box heavier than the lady of the house can handle, since she may be the one who ends up moving it around before or after the move.

Don't save all your packing for the last day. Begin packing items not needed well in advance. Packing gets more and more tiresome over a period of time; so it is good to jump- start the packing endeavor as much as possible. Disassemble items that need to be taken apart and carefully save any hardware involved. Sometimes lost hardware is virtually impossible to replace, so be very careful where you save it.

Don't pack your toolbox, you may need some of your tools on move day.

Don't pack your checkbook. Things may come up unexpectedly that require check payments. If your are putting your goods in storage, don't pack important papers like passports, drivers license, birth certificates, etc.

Thoroughly wrap fragile items individually with paper, bubble wrap or foam wrap depending on the item (newspaper print residue must be hand washed off of all things it touches, dishwasher washing will not take it off). Special care must be taken with small items so as not to lose them in the packing materials. Taping over the wrapping is a good technique to highlight a small item as not being merely a bunched up piece of paper. Glassware and china should be wrapped so as not to clatter within the box. Use plenty of paper to line the top, bottom and side of each box. Plates should be individually wrapped and then stood on their side in the box- NEVER lay them flat; all the weight would be on the bottom plate, and if the box is set down too strongly the bottom plate could break. Glasses should also be individually wrapped and packed standing up; they are stronger when standing than if laid down on their side.

All staples in boxes should be removed so as to safeguard surfaces such as wood floors, counter tops, and furniture where cartons may be stacked prior to pickup and after delivery. Do not interlock box flaps together -always tape bottoms and tops with at least three strips of tape and at least halfway up or down the sides of the box for strength. Remember that taping reinforces the strength of the box, and yet can be easily cut with a blade later when unpacking.

Mark the top and sides of all cartons on the tape with contents and destination location (such as bedroom, kitchen, or basement). This will make identifying where things are easy when they are stacked on top of each other. If the box is reused, then using fresh tape over marked taped easily eliminates old markings. Some packers like to use color-coding such as colored tape wrapped once around the box or colored stickers pasted on the box to identify in what room to put the box.

Oil Pictures should be covered over with a nonacid clear wrap and then bubble wrapped or wrapped in blankets and packed in picture box or a flattened out box with the ends taped. Pictures in glass frames or mirrors should be wrapped in blankets and packed in picture cartons or flattened out cartons. Lamps and lampshades should each be placed in separate box.es. If two lampshades are put together a piece ofplain paper should be placed between them so that they can be easily pulled apart. Do not use newspaper with print or it will permanently mark the shades.

Electronic equipment should be padded and boxed so that knobs are not broken off and the finish is not scratched.

Stack all cartons neatly against a wall, and create clear, unobstructed peths to prevent the possibility of tripping. When possible disassemble beds, remove mirrors for dressers or walls, and remove air conditioners from window. Your mover will do these things ifneeded, but if you do them yourself you will save time. Remember that saving time saves you money .

Do a walkthrough of each residence from which you are moving after the truck has been loaded with it's contents. Double-check all cabinets, drawers, closets, pantries, bins, attic, basement, garage, or storage lockers. Make sure you have all hardware to disassembled pieces. Look at all inside or outside places where things have been left sitting (including windowsills). Get your ladders, hoses, and toolboxes. Be absolutely certain that everything has been loaded onto t1Ie truck before releasing the crew to the next location. It is not wise to leave a location early or to be absent from a location for very long since there may be things in your mind in which have failed to yet be communicated to the movers; therefore, everything may not be done as you had expected.

Hazards should be noted ahead of time. You should advise your mover of damaged or fragile furniture, weak or broken stairs, or impedim'ents, which may affect the move.

Parking near your residence should be easily accessible for your mover. Do whatever you can to reserve parking for your mover; reserve spaces with your car, a friend's car or saw horses. Remember the moving truck cannot block the street. Also if the movers have to walk half a block with your furniture the move will take longer and cost you more. If you live in a high-rise building, make sure that another move does not coincide with yours. Some high- rise buildings have loading docks designed to accommodate only one truck at a time.

Confirm your move date and time with your mover one or two weeks in advance. Advise them of potential problems, elevator times, and special needs such as clothing wardrobes, extra cartons, last minute packing, etc. Pets should not be present when the move occurs and the mover should be advised that you have pets so those movers with allergies are not assigned to your job.