Packing is probably most important phase of your move. There is both a science and an art to packing a home. Properly preparing your belongings to arrive safe and secure requires a lot of training and technique. Our packing team is comprised of skilled and experienced packers. Whether it’s building a custom crate for your Picasso or packing your garden tools, we will give all of your possessions the same gentle care. Furthermore, we will help remove the stress of managing your everyday life, and having to be packed and ready for moving day. Having us pack your belongings isn’t just a convenience, it will greatly increase the chance of a successful move.
At Making Moves we recommend using either our full or partial packing services, however should you choose to pack yourself please observe the following precautions. Additionally, if you are unsure about anything, please feel free to contact our office. We are happy to help you get started.
Step 1 – Planning
Please allow yourself an ample amount of time to pack. It will take a lot longer than you think. You will find things you haven’t seen in years and will probably have you spending time reminiscing. You will also find yourself having to make some tough decisions about finally getting rid of some things. That attic that is full of memories probably needs to be addressed. It will also take a great deal of time for a novice packer to pack any kind of fragile items. It is very important not to rush through this stage, for obvious reasons.
Step 2 – Selecting the proper carton
Small boxes (1.5 Boxes) – Heavy items such as books, CD/DVD, tools, small appliances, etc.
Medium boxes (3.0 Boxes) – Medium to heavy items are packed into this box. Small appliances, pots and pans, electronics, toys, etc.
Large boxes (4.5 Boxes) – Light items go in this box. Clothes, linen, toys, oversized items, etc.
Dish barrels – (5.3 Heavy duty boxes) – Heavy and/or fragile items go in here. Their double wall construction makes this the strongest and safest of all the moving boxes. Dishpacks are strongly suggested for all breakables such as china, glassware, dishes and crystal.
Wardrobe Cartons – This box was created so that hanging clothes will continue to remain hanging throughout the transportation process.
Mirror Cartons – This box is for large pictures, artwork or mirrors.
Custom wood crates for stone and glass – We will custom build a crate for stone/marble tabletops as well as large glass tabletops. Wood crates are essential for proper protection of these items. Due to their fragile nature, it is highly unlikely they will arrive complete at your new home without them.
Custom wood crates for artwork – This is a highly recommended package if you have valuable artwork. Whether you value is sentimental or financial, in all cases the artwork is just simply put, irreplaceable.
Step 3 – Packing fundamentals
All cartons must be packed tight to prevent shifting during transit. Even if the items inside are non-breakable it is still important that the box be firm and tight so that the crew can load the truck in a secure fashion. You may need to fill the box with packing paper at the top of the box in order to make it firm. While this may seem a little wasteful, it is an ultra-crucial step. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL BOXES DO NOT HAVE ANY OPEN VOIDS INSIDE. This will lead to a box failure or worse a tier of boxes crushing while on the truck. More likely than not, it will result in damage to the items inside. Please be aware that a professionally packed dish carton filled with only plates, glasses, stemware, and paper will be solid enough that an average-sized adult could sit on it without any failure.
Step 4 Packing Methods
Mirrors and pictures should be bubble-wrapped or paper wrapped and secured in a carton specially constructed to prevent damage to these fragile items.
Books should be placed flat in smaller boxes due to their heavy nature. Placing them on end can damage the binding. Please do not pack large boxes of books as they will be too heavy to safely move.
Lampshades should be packed individually with plenty of paper cushioning. Packing other objects along with your lampshades will probably puncture the fragile shades. Remember, always make the top firm!
Dishes should be individually wrapped and placed on their sides in a dish carton for safe transport. Fill the box to limit movement and be sure to pad both the bottom and top of each layer for added insurance. Add lighter things, like cups, towards the top.
Use a sturdy wardrobe box for clothing suspended on hangers. Your clothing will arrive at your new residence as clean and wrinkle-free as when packed. This will save you many loads of laundry and costly dry cleaning bills.
Electronic items such as Flat panel TV’s MUST be packaged in either the original boxes or a new box. Due to the expensive nature of these items we cannot transport them unless they are properly packed without exception.
Please clearly mark ALL your boxes with your name, contents, and room it will be delivered to. This simple step will save time with delivery and unpacking.
As for furniture and large unpackable items, just leave the big stuff to us. Making Moves provides moving blankets which the crew will use to wrap and protect your belongings.
Packing is a vital step in the moving process
Please remember that a poorly packed house makes it much more difficult for us to provide you with a top-notch service that we pride ourselves in, and you are expecting. Poor packing can and will cause unnecessary damage. It can also cause the job to run longer by turning what could have been one box into multiple, time-consuming carries. Should you choose to pack your own house please take the above tips to heart. A quality thorough packing job is a prerequisite to a smooth, efficient, and safe move.