Packing for a move is a massive undertaking.  There are lots of moving tasks to think about.  But if you divide the process into manageable steps, it will be a lot less overwhelming and stressful.  Let’s take things one step at a time.

Before you decide to do your packing yourself, consider and share the responsibilities. No doubt, it takes time and energy to get the job done right, but doing it yourself can save you money, even if you’re paying a mover to load the truck. For example, if you’ve hired a professional mover, you can still pack all or some of the goods yourself, thus decreasing the price. To find out just how much you can cut down ask your moving coordinator.

Packing Guidelines for Your Professional Move

If you decide to do some of the packings yourself, you’ll need to have everything properly packed and ready for loading the evening before moving day. Only the things you’ll need that last night, the next morning should be left for last-minute packing. Moving company representatives will inspect your boxes, and if they think items are improperly packed or cartons are susceptible to damage, they may reject loading the things until they are repacked.

What Should You Pack?

Naturally, not everything will fit the boxes. As a general rule, furniture and major appliances should be wrapped and padded by your moving professionals.

Box Basics

Use new, high-quality packing materials specifically designed to ensure your items will safely arrive. Professional moving cartons are represented in a variety of shapes and sizes that are specifically suited to fit a variety of household goods.

Other Supplies

• Bundles of packing paper (clean, unprinted newsprint)
• Bubble wrap, tissue paper or paper towels for delicate items
• Rolls of PVC tape (don’t use masking tape or cellophane tape)
• Tape dispenser
• Broad-tipped markers for labeling
• Scissors or sharp knife for cutting cartons
• Notebook and pen or pencil for listing contents of packages as they are packed
• Labels or stickers for identifying boxes

Wrapping How-Tos

Before packing containers, you’ll need to wrap most items to protect them from scratching and damage. There is plenty of packing materials available, including bubble pack, foam peanuts, and tissue. However, most professionals use bundles of clean, unprinted newsprint. Before packing each carton, line the bottom with a few inches of wadded paper for padding. Then place large, bulky items on the bottom and lighter, more fragile items on the top. Plates, books and things of a similar shape, should be loaded vertically to utilize their maximum structural strength. Keep cartons to a manageable weight. Fill in any voids and top offloaded boxes with wadded paper. Then tape cartons securely to predict shifting while relocating.

Labeling Hints

Imagine packing away a truckload of boxes and then having them delivered to your new residence. How can you tell what box goes where? Because you’ve marked them. Follow these tips to avoid confusion.

• Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
• Mark your name, the room it should go to and contents on each box.
• Indicate “FRAGILE” on breakables.
• If available, include your bill of lading (or invoice) number on every box.

Tips how to pack for a move

Most experienced movers suggest you start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used infrequently. Leave until the last minute things you’ll need until moving day. Here are some more helpful tips.

• Empty drawers of breakables, spillable, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other things.
• Pack similar items together. For example, don’t pack a delicate china figurine in the same carton with cast-iron frying pans.
• Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts, and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
• Wind electrical cords, fastening them, so they do not dangle.
• Wrap items individually in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal, and delicate details. Colored wrapping paper draws attention to tiny things that might otherwise get lost in a carton. Use a double layer of newsprint for an excellent outer wrapping.
• Use newspapers for cushioning only.

We also advice when packing for a move

• Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.
• Build up the layers, with the most massive things on the bottom, medium-weight next and lightest on top.
• As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next segment, or use sheets of cardboard cut from cartons as dividers.
• Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning.
• Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in little boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
• Limit carton weight.
• Seal cartons tightly with tape except for those containing items that must be left open for the van operator’s inspection.
• As you finish with each carton, list the contents on the side of the package and in a special notebook.
• Note your name and the room to which each carton should be delivered to. Tape a sign on the door of each room at terminus corresponding to the carton labels so movers can get the cartons into the fitting rooms quickly.
• Put a unique mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on cartons you want to unpack first at the destination.

Contact us today and our team of professionals will be happy to help you make your forthcoming move fulfilled! We respect your time and money. Quality service, dedication to work we do and expert care.  Our aim is to help you make the right choice. Make your preliminary cost estimate right now or order a free moving quote for an expert valuation. If you have your own experience with movers of this segment, leave your comment and we will post it as a ‘useful review’ for subsequent visitors to the site and will take it into account when compiling our rating. We work hard to move you fast!