Packing

Full Packing Services

You’d not rather worry about packing at all. We will send a team of experienced movers and packers to pack up the attic to the basement and everywhere in between. If you want any items not to be packed just inform our crew leader of this. We have all the correct materials to protect your valuables as they are transported to the new location. Proper packing is the key to an efficient, damage-free move.  While we recommend professional packing, we realize that this is not in everyone’s budget.

Partial Packing Service

If you pack half of your items this can have benefits for both parties involved. Not only will this speed up the process but it will also reduce the overall cost of the move as we charge by the hour. This allows our movers to start loading the truck with your items as soon as possible and get you moved to your new location.

Allow plenty of time to pack

Make sure you give yourself enough time to pack everything up.  Don’t leave it to the last minute.  Ideally give yourself 1-2 weeks, depending on the size of your place.

Make a Special Box

Make up a couple of boxes and pack up anything you may need in the days immediately after your move.  You should label them appropriately (i.e. “Keep Accessible”, “Need Access”, etc.)

You may want to pack a separate small box for your essentials, such as passports, identification, etc,.

Selecting Boxes

We recommend ordering properly sized moving boxes.

Avoid boxes smaller than 1.0 cubic foot:  Otherwise you will spend a lot of time assembling boxes. It will also take us longer to stack them and to pack them on the truck.

Avoid boxes larger than 5 cubic ft:  Larger boxes are far more cumbersome and difficult to move.  They also have a tendency to fall apart.

Make sure the cardboard is thick enough to support the weight of the items you are packing in the box.

We will be happy to deliver packing materials to you before your move.  Click here for our materials list.

Recommended Box Sizes

1.5 cubic feet (Book boxes): As the name suggests, this size should be used for packing books and heavier items (vinyl records, magazines, liquids, etc.)

3.0 cubic feet (Medium):  These are useful for packing kitchen items, such as utensils and small appliances.  You can also use them to pack properly protected delicate items such as coffee mugs, everyday plates and bowls.

For more tips on packing fragile items, see the next page.

4.5 cubic feet (Large):  Use these for folded clothes, shoes, linens, pots and pans, Tupperware, and basically any light non- fragile items.

Mini- Dishpacks: Roughly the same size as Medium boxes, they are constructed of thicker, reinforced cardboard. You should use them for very fragile items, such as china and stemware.

Dishpacks (5.02 cubic ft): Use these for larger, very fragile items, such as vases, sculptures, and breakable lampshades.

Protecting Fragile Items

Buy packing paper (blank newsprint).  It will save you hours of fumbling around opening newspapers or cutting bubble wrap.  It is also relatively inexpensive.

We strongly recommend using reinforced cardboard boxes (Dish Packs.)

Line the bottom of your boxes with crumpled up packing paper. You want about a 1-inch buffer when the paper is loosely crumpled. You should also do this at the top of the box before you seal it.

Wrap larger plates individually in 1- 2 sheets of paper, and pack them standing on their edge, not flat like on a table.  You should also pack framed photos and sheets of glass in the same manner.

If you wish, you can bundle smaller plates together by folding the same sheets of paper over to separate each plate.

Pack cups, glasses, and bowls standing up, as you would see them on a table. You should also pack glass bottles this way.

Be wary of stacking anything on top of very thin glass or china.

If you are packing smaller items, you can fit several layers in each box by separating them with more crumpled paper.

Make sure each box is fully packed. Fill any empty spaces with packing paper to protect your valuable items and to prevent the box from crushing while they are being stacked in the truck.

Sealing & Labeling Boxes

Tape the bottom of each box before you begin packing it.

Tape the top when it’s full.

Write the name of the room you want it to be placed in at your final destination.

You should also write a brief description of the contents of each box in case you need to find something in a hurry.

Be sure to label fragile items accordingly.

Help: My move is tomorrow and I have nothing packed.

A lot of people don’t get as much done as they hope before the move day.

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic.

Ideally, you should let us know the day before your move.  We will be sure to bring enough materials and manpower to get everything done.

Try and get a good nights rest.  Though it may end up costing you a little more, what will take you all night, we will get done in a fraction of the time.