Getting Ready For Your Long Distance Move
Choose an area in your premises where you can work on planning your move.
Make sure the surface of such an area is well padded to prevent damage to the floor or your household items. Place a heavy mattress or blanket to provide extra padding where necessary.
Buy some sturdy boxes of different sizes to put your household items. You should also buy other items such as packing tape, scissors, newspapers etc that might help you in packing items for your move.
Start packing the right way
Before you decide to do your packing yourself, consider the responsibilities. Sure, it takes time and energy to get the job done right, but doing it yourself can be a real money-saver, even if you’re paying a mover to load the truck. For example, if you’ve hired a professional mover, you can still opt to pack all or some of the goods yourself, thus trimming the price. To find out just how much you can trim, ask your moving coordinator when you get an online estimate.
Packing Guidelines for Your Professional Move
If you decide to do some of the packing yourself, you’ll need to have everything properly packed and ready for loading when the truck arrives. In other words, all packing must be completed the evening before move day. Only the things you’ll need that last night, the next morning and immediately at your destination should be left for last-minute packing.
As for how you pack—that will be expected to meet specific standards.
Moving company representatives will inspect your boxes and if they think items are improperly packed or cartons are susceptible to damage, they may refuse to load the items until they are repacked. Look for cartons that are torn, ripped, soiled, will not close or cannot be sealed. Replace those with fresh boxes. Another repacking giveaway is if you can hear the contents rattle when you shake the box. In that case, add more insulation, like crushed paper, clothes or any other cushioning. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed.
Limit carton weight to about 50 pounds and up to 5 cu ft maximum size.
Avoid overloading cartons but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
Indicate your name and the address to which each carton should be delivered at the destination.
What Should You Pack?
Obviously, not everything will fit in boxes. As a general rule, furniture and major appliances will be wrapped and padded by your moving professional.
The odd-shape items like statues, sculptures, figurines, etc. must be properly boxed/crated.
Disassemble what you can. Packing the statue in several smaller boxes makes the whole process safer because it puts less strain on the structure of the figure. Each piece should be measured to find appropriately sized boxes.
Find a box that is a few inches larger than the dimensions of the sculpture or piece of the sculpture that is being packed in that box. You don’t want to allow too much extra space for movement, but you also need to allow some space for all of the packing material and bubble wrap on the sculpture. Completely wrap the sculpture in bubble wrap. You may want to use two layers. Seal the wrap with packing tape. Fill the area in the box around the sculpture with packing peanuts, paper, or any other cushioning Make sure the cardboard box can withstand the weight of your sculpture when carried.
Mark all boxes containing sculptures or statues “Fragile”.
Prone Goods
Any kind of furniture that is made out of pressed or particle material will have very limited to no value as far as liability of the Company. We will not disassemble (unless it is unavoidable for safe transportation) or reassemble furniture made of this material.
Should the Customer choose to disassemble your furniture, Company will move the pieces and will not reassemble upon delivery.
Packing and moving flat screen TV/monitor
Your TV is an item that needs special attention during packing because it is fragile. You need to prepare it properly and use the right materials to protect it, including cushioning and cardboard. Follow this guide for safe TV transportation.
How to Pack For Your Move
Packing and Moving China and Glassware
Use dish packs for items made of glassware. Leave enough space between such items to allow some room for movement during the move. The glassware should also be wrapped with paper to provide extra support and protection during the move.
Packing and Moving Silverware
Wrap loose flatware with tissue or plastic. Remove silverware in a chest and wrap them individually. Fill the space between the items with paper towels or tissue to provide extra support.
Packing and Moving Silver-plate or Sterling Silver
Enclose silverware in tissue paper of plastic wrap to prevent air tarnishing. Wrap the items in extra padding to provide support during the long distance move.
Packing and Moving Books
Use small cartons to pack books alternating their open edges with their bound edges.
Packing and Moving Lamps
Wrap all the bulbs in newsprint and fill the spaces with crushed paper. Provide extra padding on the side to take care of any shaking during the long distance move. If you need assistance in this process, please get in touch with one of our representatives.
Packing and Moving Glass Table Tops, Marble Slabs, Mirrors, and Art
While custom made cartons are ideal, poor packing or poorly made cartons might damage your items. It is, therefore, a good idea to talk to our qualified professionals if you are looking for custom made cartons for your long distance move.
Packing and Moving Clothing
Place footwear in their shoe boxes either individually or in pairs. You can choose to leave clothes on their hangers of transport them in wardrobe cartons. Keep any high-value items in your car.
Packing and Moving Linen and Bedding
Linen and bedding can serve as padding for heavier or more delicate items.
Packing and Moving Draperies, Curtains and Rugs
Fold such items and pack them in larger lined boxes. You can also hang them and store them in a wardrobe carton. Heavy rugs can be placed on the floor. You might also choose to roll and stretch carpets before placing them on the truck.
Packing and Moving Photographs and Valuables
Place all photos in albums to make it more convenient to transport them. Such albums and any other valuables should travel with you during the long distance move for extra protection.
Packing and Moving Small Appliances
Pack all the small items in one box that contains extra padding to provide protection during the long distance move.
Packing and Moving Large Appliances
Service all large items before the move. You can speak to one of our qualified representatives on what items should be serviced.
Packing and Moving Tools
Place such tools in boxes covered with extra padding. Preferably, you should use small boxes when it comes to such tools.
Packing or Moving Food
Avoid moving with any food during your long distance trip. Unfortunately, our company’s policies do not allow us to ship perishable goods.
For more packing tips, please follow this link.
