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PLAN AHEAD

1. May through September is the busiest time of the year for movers
2. The beginning and end of each month are also peak periods
3. Plan well in advance (4 to 6 weeks) if you are planning a move during these peak times.

Check out our Count Down to Moving Day to be sure you don't forget anything.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

If you’re among the thousands who have moved each year, you may recall some of the hassles, stress, struggles, ups and downs and the sheer frustrations that you experienced during your last move. This time, make a commitment to “keep it simple” and make this move your best move ever!

Begin by organizing your life and your possessions.

MAKE A LIST

Create a computerized numbering system or use a spiral binder to create a hand-written numbering system for all of your boxes. Leave enough space to write in the contents of each box that you pack. Be specific when listing the contents. If the box is lost or misplaced, you’ll know exactly what items you’ll need to replace or report as missing from the carton.

HAVE PLENTY OF PACKING SUPPLIES ON HAND

You’ll need a lot of boxes – probably more than you think! Having enough boxes and packing supplies on hand can make packing fun and seem like a piece of cake! Keep some extras on hand for last minute packing.

MAXIMIZE YOUR PACKING SPACE

1. For 24” wardrobes, you’ll need one (1) wardrobe for every three (3) feet of hanging clothes
2. Wrap individually and pack shoes and purses in the bottom of each wardrobe
3. Clothing can remain inside dresser drawers and chests
4. Lightweight soft goods can remain inside cedar chests
5. Pack large, fluffy items such as bedding and pillows inside refrigerators, freezers, and cabinets
6. Don’t overfill boxes or pack too heavy – use smaller boxes for books and canned goods

NUMERIC LOCATOR

Things come off the moving van much faster than they went on and delivery time can be hectic! By planning ahead, you can minimize the frustration and hectic pace during delivery of your household goods:

1. Designate a number for each room in your new home
2. Using an 8 x 11 sheet of paper and black marker, write the number for each room and place it in a visible area - tape it to the wall or door jamb
3. Number your boxes on the side of the container (not the top or bottom), furniture and electronics (in a visible area) at origin to correspond with the room number that the item is to be located at the new residence - The movers will know where to place these items with minimal assistance required from you

MOVING DAY

Make yourself available for the packing and moving crews from the time they arrive until they leave! This is your responsibility! If you can not be present, you can appoint a responsible friend, neighbor, relative or associate to ensure that:

• All items are packed and labeled
• All items are loaded into the moving van

Make beds ready to be packed and moved. Your driver will disassemble and reassemble standard beds for no additional cost.

Discuss delivery plans with your driver. Provide him/her with directions to your new location and contact phone numbers.

Read the Bill of Lading and Assessorial Service pages before you sign them!

DELIVERY DAY

Make yourself available for the moving crews at destination from the time they arrive until they leave! This is your responsibility! If you can not be present, you can appoint a responsible friend, neighbor, relative or associate to:

1. Ensure that all items are checked off the inventory as they are delivered
2. Document/note on the inventory any items that are missing (not checked off the inventory), damaged, including furniture and crushed or damaged boxes. This is important to substantiate a claim.

Walk through with your driver to ensure that all items are correctly placed and that all standard beds have been assembled.

Read the Bill of Lading and Assessorial Service pages before you sign them!

Get copies of the Bill of Lading and inventories after signing. These are important for tax records and for substantiating a claim.

PACKING TIPS

SAVE TIME & MONEY! CLICK HERE TO ORDER BOXES RIGHT TO YOUR DOORSTEP!

Self Pack Moves: If you pack your own personal belongings into moving cartons, your mover is not responsible for broken, damaged or missing items UNLESS the carton has been crushed or torn.

Carrier Pack Moves: If the moving company packs items that are later discovered to be damaged, the mover is responsible to compensate you for the lost or damaged item(s).

HAVE PLENTY OF PACKING SUPPLIES ON HAND

You’ll need a lot of boxes – probably more than you think! Having enough boxes and packing supplies on hand can make packing fun and seem like a piece of cake! Keep some extras on hand for last minute packing.

MAXIMIZE YOUR PACKING SPACE

7. For 24” wardrobes, you’ll need one (1) wardrobe for every three (3) feet of hanging clothes
8. Wrap individually and pack shoes and purses in the bottom of each wardrobe
9. Clothing can remain inside dresser drawers and chests
10. Lightweight soft goods can remain inside cedar chests
11. Pack large, fluffy items such as bedding and pillows inside refrigerators, freezers, and cabinets
12. Don’t overfill boxes or pack too heavy – use smaller boxes for books and canned goods

Before you move, decide what to keep and what to sell or donate. Why pay to move it if you don’t need it? The best places to start are in the garage and your closets.

What NOT to move: Moving companies are not licensed to move “hazardous materials”. These items include, but are not limited to all flammables, explosives, poisons, aerosols and paints. Movers are not licensed to move propane tanks, air tanks or welding tanks unless they are purged and have been certified by an authorized dealers.

DO NOT PACK jewelry, coin collections, cash or important documents. Pack these items ahead of time and store in a secure area such as the trunk of your car or with a trusting friend.

Drain fuel from lawn mowers, weed eaters, riding lawn mowers and other machinery before moving.

Tools: Box cutter, good packing tape (not masking), black markers, unprinted newspaper (saves you clean up!), small bubble wrap, and shrink wrap.

Keep things together – Insist that items that belong together are packed into the same box: light bulbs with lamps; cords with appliances; hardware with beds; mirrors and items that are disassembled at origin.

Designate an area(s) of the home for stacking boxes as they are packed for moving. Garage areas work nicely and keep the home from becoming cluttered. If you stack boxes, stack them no more than 4 feet high. This will help prevent them from falling over, damaging items within the container and easy for your mover to dolly out each stack.

Number each room at the new residence. Make delivery a snap for you and your mover! Number each room of your new home starting with the number one (1). Before your crew arrives to deliver, use 8 x 11 sheets of paper to identify each room number and place in a visible area for the delivery crew to see by taping to the wall or to the door jamb. Pack and number each box to correspond with the room number that the box is to be placed in at your new home.

Dismantle/Disconnect and Save BIG: Your mover will dismantle and reassemble all “standard” beds for no additional charge. Any item that your mover chooses to dismantle before moving should also be assembled by your mover when delivered.

Items for you to consider that may cost you big bucks include knock down furniture, wall units, German shrunk, large wall unit style head boards, pool tables, swing sets and exercise equipment, hot tubs, light fixtures, ceiling fans, washers, gas or electric dryers and ranges and refrigerator ice makers. Take care of these items before you move and save money.

Items attached or fixed: It is your responsibility to remove these items before moving day. Your mover can not pack or move items that are attached to the home in any way.

Zip lock bags are great to have on hand during your move. Your mover can secure the hardware to bed frames and mirrors for quick and easy assembly at destination. These can also be used to pack tiny objects such as paper clips and pens inside desk drawers.

Keep a “parts box” handy in the kitchen for packing miscellaneous cords and parts into – Mark it well so it can easily be located during delivery or carry it with you in your car for a quick retrieval.

Use bubble wrap or shrink wrap to secure silverware/flatware in the tray.

Keep some tools on hand for disassembly and reassembly of items. This is also handy for those last minute items that may need a quick screw tightened or when it’s necessary to remove a door making it easier for larger items to fit through.

Make loading a cinch! Do not use garbage bags or boxes without lids for packing. The bags tear and the boxes can spill.

Pack boxes full, but do not “dome” the tops and do not over load the boxes. The weight for each box should average around 50 pounds. For dish packs, not more than 75 pounds.

Nest lamp shades inside a box from smallest to largest.

Pack plates and fragile items on “end,” not flat.

If you plan to ship your car: remove all personal effects and valuables before shipping. Auto transport companies are not licensed to move personal effects or household goods stored inside vehicles. Moving companies are not liable for missing items that are not “attached” or “installed” by the manufacturer.

Types of boxes you’ll need and what they are used for:

1. 1.5 cubic foot moving box (16 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches): commonly known as the “book box”. This box is used to pack books, magazines and small toys. Maximum weight limit is 50 pounds.
2. 3.0 cubic foot moving box (18 x 18 x 16 inches): great for kitchen items, pots/pans, canned goods, small appliances, closet items and bathroom toiletries. Maximum weight limit is 65 pounds.
3. 4.5 cubic foot moving box (18 x 18 x 24 inches): used to pack lamp bases, linens, towels, small appliances, pillows and children’s toys. Maximum weight limit is 65 pounds.
4. 6.0 cubic foot moving box (22 x 22 x 21 inches): pack pillows, larger toys, blankets and sofa/chair cushions. Maximum weight limit is 70 pounds
5. 6.1 cubic foot moving box (24 x 18 x 24 inches): this box is rectangular and is used for items that are too large for the 6.0 carton. Maximum weight limit is 70 pounds
6. Wardrobes (24” wide x 20” deep x 30” tall): fill this box from the bottom up with shoes, purses and smaller carry on luggage. A metal bar is placed on top of the box for hanging clothing. Each box will support 3 linear feet of clothing, wrinkle free!
7. Picture/Mirror (corrugated) box: These boxes can “telescope” to fit the length/width of a picture or mirror.
8. Dish packs (18 x 18 x 28 inches): great for packing fine china, knick knacks, liquor and wine bottles, and other smaller, fragile items. Use a lot of paper when packing these boxes to protect items from being shattered. Maximum weight limit is 75 – 90 pounds.
9. Mattress boxes: these boxes come in all sizes, crib, twin, double, queen and king. Mattress bags are an option and are less expensive compare to boxes. Boxes are sturdy and offer more protection from punctures and tears during transit or storing. Most moving companies mandate packing (box or bags) for all mattresses and box springs before moving.

PACK AHEAD

Everything that you can pack ahead of time will save you time and money

1. Pack the “extras” or “rarely used” items in advance
2. Clothing that isn’t in season
3. Extra kitchen items that won’t be used before the move
4. Bathroom items
5. Closet items
6. Garage and outdoor items
7. Off-site or mini storage items

CONSOLIDATE

1. Consolidate cleaning and food supplies – Rid partially-used containers
2. Consolidate small/tiny boxes into larger containers or zip lock baggies

USE YOUR LUGGAGE

Fill your luggage with clothing, bedding, towels, paper goods, etc.

SAFEGUARDED ITEMS

Keep important documents and papers with you – Do not pack these items to be moved on the moving van

Pack ahead and secure valuables – Stow these items in a safe and secure area during packing and moving such as the trunk of your car or with a trusted friend

RIGHT AWAY ITEMS

Pack and mark boxes with a LARGE “X” that you’ll want right away when your mover arrives at destination – Have your mover set these specially marked boxes in a designated area or room - These can include items such as:

1. Sheets, pillows, bedding
2. Towels and toiletries
3. Coffee pot
4. Kitchen items, dishes, pots pans
5. Kitchen utensils
6. Cleaning items, detergents
7. Clothing, sweaters, coats

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Make Your Next Move The Best Move Ever!

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