  Packing most your items by yourself can help you save money.
By reviewing the tips and guidelines contained in this page, we can help you learn how to pack your goods. Let the moving company help Let your sale representative help you by giving you tips on how to use packing materials and boxes. Individual & Family tasks When considering the packing involved in moving consider the tasks that the family could address as a team or individually. This will help you to save on the cost of packing material and packing labor. It pays to plan and prioritize in advance to reduce upsets at the last minute. Planning leaves you with ample amount of time on hand to assimilate the required packing material. However, if you are taking on the services of the moving company to pack your possessions, you should inquire about the special materials they can provide you with. Involving the entire family helps a lot, whether or not the packing is done by the moving company or not. Before you pack You need to choose a work area that is large enough to handle various sizes of boxes. Make sure to cover and protect your work surface. Keep your marking pens, tape and scissors next to you. How to chose Your Packing MaterialWhen selecting packing material for your goods, you need to know: Getting boxes discarded by a local grocery store will save you money. Be sure that the boxes are clean of insects, pests, residue and debris. Use only strong boxes that are in good condition. Any moving company can provide you (for additional charge), custom made boxes for all your household goods, including mattresses, lamps and mirrors. Packing supplies can be purchased at a local moving retailer and mail service store, however, for the best choice and most variety, go online. By taking the time to surf the Internet, you can compare prices and find specialty items that may be difficult to purchase at a local retail shop. Be aware that some packing suppliers deal with large companies, so you will need to make sure you are able to purchase smaller quantities. Old newspapers can be used as packing material but be careful — the ink may rub off and leave a stain on certain items. We recommend that you use white newspaper you can buy at self storage places, home depot or from your moving company. Bubbles wrap, tissue and Kraft paper are needed to protect all fragile items. Packaging tape for sealing boxes — it is not recommend to use duct tape or masking tape. Markers and labels for identifying contents of cartons, Scissors and/or a sharp knife. A few more suggestions before you startStart packing at least a month ahead of your move day and pack every day at least 1 – 3 boxes. Mark all boxes with room and box number. Make sure to have a lot of "filling" material available when packing your boxes. Pack one room at a time; it will get the job done a lot faster. The bottoms of all boxes need to be secured to hold the weight of the boxes. Always pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Do your best not to exceed 50 lbs per box; it makes moving them a lot easier. Remember — the heavier the item is, the smaller the box should be. Do not pack things in trash bags, especially if you have a lot of people helping you move to your new home, as someone might throw the bags away. Don't just mark boxes Kitchen, or bedroom. Break things down into sub-categories. It's easy to do and makes unpacking a breeze. For example you might have Kitchen - Dishes and Silverware; bedroom Sheets and Comforter, etc. When you move boxes, you'll be stacking them, so don't just write the contents on the top of boxes, write them on every side. Wait as long as you can to pack your stereo and T.V. as you'll want entertainment while you're packing for your move to you new home. Choose to pack your own goods?Any moving company has the right to inspect packed-by-owner (PBO) items to ensure they are packed properly to protect your goods. If, a container is not packed correctly, the carrier may ask you to repack it; or, the mover may choose to repack the box and charge you for the materials and service. If any PBO boxes are damaged during transit, liability valuation may be applied. Packing ElectronicsWhen packing expensive electronic items, it is good to consider the availability of open ended containers to air the wiring and equipment. Marking the boxes and listing the contents within helps while unpacking at the destination. The inventory of the items to be relocated should include each and every item packed so that you stand a better chance to a claim, in case of an upset. If the relocation is that of the office, the task could be assigned to a department or group of responsible people, so that business continues to the very end. Best packing materials to use, bubble wrap, electronic box. Moving Boxes and supplies list Utility Knife or Box Cutter Note pad Inventory stickers (if you would like make your own list) Dark, water resistant marker Boxes of all sizes White or brown wrap paper Pads or moving blankets Packing tape Bubble wraps (rolls) Peanuts Picture Box Book Box Small Moving Box Book box (2 cubic feet) Medium Moving Box (4 cubic feet) Large Moving Box (6 cubic feet) Linen Box China or Dish Box Wardrobe Box Electronics Box Plain Newsprint or Brown Paper (rolls or sheets) Mirror Box or Picture Box Box - Large Mattress cover
Careful packing of fragile items is one of the most important aspects of your move. Well-packed household goods stand little chance of being damaged. For families on a budget, self-packing can mean considerable savings. Even if you choose to do the packing yourself, you might still consider having movers to pack with more delicate of fragile items--items such as dishes, crystal, lamps, etc. You enjoy the security of having these more costly items professionally packed while reducing your costs by doing the bulk of the job yourself. But if you still want to pack those fragile items your self here are some tips that will help you pack them in a secure way: Dishes, Glasses, Stemware, Decorative Accessories, and Collectibles: Start with a layer of Packing Material such as Bubble Wrap, Packing Pellets, or Polyethylene Foam at the bottom of the box. Begin packing the box with the heaviest items, then proceeds with lighter items as you fill the box. Wrap plates, bowls, and serving pieces separately in Newsprint Paper. Wrap especially delicate articles in Bubble Wrap. Dish Packing Boxes are specifically designed to protect your fragile dishes and make packing easier. Wrap glasses and stemware individually in Newsprint Paper or Bubble Wrap. To ensure that the wrapping stays in place, secure it with a small strip of tape. Glasses and stemware are most adequately protected from damage when they are packed in boxes that are divided into individual cells. Fill any empty space with paper, towels or packaging peanuts to prevent the contents from shifting and to keep the box firm. Wrap decorative accessories and collectibles as you would glasses and stemware. Pack particularly delicate, costly, or cherished items in smaller separate boxes before adding them to the large moving carton. Add a final layer of Packing Material to the top of the box just before you seal it to prevent the contents from shifting and to keep the box firm. Label the boxes with Fragile Labels along with the area of the house and its contents: i.e., Kitchen - Dishes, Living Room - Porcelain Figurines. Computers and Electronics: Repack computer components and electronics such as amplifiers, cassette players, CD players, video players, and turntables in their original boxes. If these boxes are not available, choose a box that's slightly larger than the component being packed to allow sufficient room for adequate Packing materials. Components should be packed individually. Back up all files and remove disks from the computer before packing. Remove all media from the units before they are packed. Secure the arm of your turntable. Lock the laser of the CD player. Label the wires, cords, and jacks of your components to make re-connecting your system quick and easy. Label the boxes with Fragile Labels and with the area of the house and contents: i.e., Den - VCR; Office - Computer Monitor. Mirrors, Pictures, and Framed Art: Apply a star pattern of masking tape to the glass front of framed pieces to prevent shifting of the glass in the event it breaks in transit. Protect vulnerable corners with Foam Corner Protectors or bubble wrap. Group thinner pieces together separating them with layers of Bubble Wrap or Polyethylene Foam. Pack individual pieces or groups into Adjustable Mirror Boxes surrounded by adequate Packing Materials to ensure a safe journey. Crate especially valuable, costly, or cherished mirrors and works of art to protect your investment. Label the boxes with Fragile Labels and with the room destination.
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