Packing Tips

Before you follow some tips for packing below, make sure that you are aware of the insurance impact: if you pack yourself, you'll have to prove that any damage to your property was caused by the moving company. This is tricky to do unless the box itself is severely damaged. If you are concerned about the safety of your property, you may opt to have the moving company for you (of course, this is more expensive).

Good Advice:

• Don't reuse any boxes that have been used many times and are starting to wear. Keep in mind that that the box you pack could easily end up on the bottom of a large stack.
• Pack all boxes TO capacity. Boxes that are underfilled are more likely to be crushed and boxes that are overfilled can tear or fall apart
• Boxes should weigh about 25-30 lbs each. It's important to be consistent here for the same of your friends (if you're moving yourself) and the movers. When boxes weigh much more or less than people expect, accidents happen.
• Label all boxes as soon as you're done packing them (e.g. "Bathroom", "Bedroom", "Kitchen"). When labeling, draw an arrow on the box to indicate which side is the top of the box and write the room label on multiple sides. This will save you a ton of time unpacking (or trying to find that one item that you need) and will help ensure the safety of your property while it's being shipped.
• Don't be afraid to start early! If you're moving in the summer, there's no reason that you can't pack your winter clothes two months before your move date.
• Wrap all glassware, china, and breakables individually in towels or packing material. If you're trying to save money, wrap each item in newspaper! Don't be tempsted to cram items together--they'll "clink" and break.
• Don't pack it if you don't need it! The cheapest way to pack and ship something is to NOT do it. If you don't need something in a new location, sell it at a garage sale before you move. We see lots of people pack and ship items that they later realize they don't need--what a waste!
• You can buy or rent garment boxes from a local temporary storage facility or truck rental moving company. These nifty boxes are like portable closets--you can ship clothing on its hanger.
• NEVER pack explosives, combustibles (gasoline), food of any kind, liquids, or pets. These could cause damage and will void your insurance.

Here are some additional tips from a kind visitor to our site. Thank you to Toni Cuningkin!

• Get wine boxes from the stores, they have the individual dividers and you
  can use them to pack your glasses.
• Use space bags for pillows and blankets and off season clothes, they
  shrink down to practically nothing.
• Pack and put in the van in the order you want furniture to come out of the van. Have friends and movers assist you in putting all large pieces and furniture in its place before they leave, use the bottom of the closet in the appropriate room to put boxes in so the house will begin clean.
• Set up the kitchen first, this will save you money in the long run. Not having to order out!
• If you have a floor plan, draw how you want each room to be set up and put it on the door of that room, so you can be free to do other things than direct traffic. Labels bedroom furniture room 1, 2 and so on.

Do you have other packing tips for us? Email us!

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