Packing Tips for Household & Office
Moving
For Memphis,Cordova,Bartlett,Germantown,Collierville,Olive Branch
- Your valuables are your responsibility. Move them yourself and keep them with you at all times
- Before you begin any packing, weed out everything that you no longer need, wear, or want. Have a garage sale or give it all to the worthy Salvation Army. If you plan to dispose of items, do so before the move so you do not pay to have them moved and they are not in the mover's way confusing things and slowing them down.
- It is recommended that you pack one room at a time.
- Wrap,wrap,wrap extremely fragile items & double box them. If you have many small light weight boxes, put several together in a large box. Fewer trips to the truck is a real timesaver.
- Pack all heavy items such as books or records in small boxes with no box weighing over 50 pounds. Pack books flat, alternating the direction. Pack records on edge.
- Label all boxes on two sides with the name of the room you want them taken to at the new location..
- Lightweight non-breakables such as blankets, pillows, etc. can be packed in heavy duty plastic trash bags & securely tied.
- Fill unused space in any box w/ lightweight bedding items or towels to prevent shifting of box contents.
- Use original shipping boxes for any computer equipment or stereo components, with the original foam inner structure. Wrap each piece w/ bubble or foam wrap and immobilize any moving parts. Remove all cords or cables. Color-code or label wiring for easier reinstallation. Do not move CDs or records in extremely hot weather in the unairconditioned part of a truck or car.
- Remove all bulbs and shades from lamps. Either carry them in your own car wrapped in towels or blankets, or purchase special large lamp boxes.
- Do not pack any fuels, paint, paint thinner, liquid bleach, matches, firearms, or ammunition, candle or aerosol cans. There is a dangerous risk.
- Label one box 'To Be Opened First' and mark it in some easily identifiable way. In it put items that you might want immediately at the new location like the coffee pot and fixin's for a good hot cup of coffee after the movers have left! Also include any medicine, phone numbers, or other necessities.
- Framed pictures can be packed in a special mover's picture box. Or they can be sandwiched between two pieces of corrugated cardboard which are taped or wrapped securely. Multiple pictures can be wrapped together in this manner with cardboard between each of them.
- China is best protected in a special moving dishpack w/ small bubble wrap as the padding material. Cell dividers are available to separate small fragile items. Plates are best stacked on edge w/ padding between them and a minumun of 3" of additional padding on the sides, top and bottom of the box. Double boxing is recommended.
- Stemware is best packed vertically. Of course, a divided cell box especially made for stemware is best. Otherwise, wrap each piece in bubble wrap and place several pieces in a small box. Double box your small boxes by putting several small ones in a larger box w/ 3" of padding between outer walls and inner boxes. Clearly mark all boxes like this "FRAGILE" in RED.
- Packing for a move sounds like work--and it IS. If you'd prefer, we can recommend local expert packers, and if you have the supplies on hand and run out of time, or are unable to pack yourself, our men will help you get the job done. But it definitely takes time which will make your move more expensive.
- Please see our POLICY page for more info on moving clothes, grandfather clocks, pianos, and answers to other common questions.
This is a long page--packing tips are first & moving day tips are toward the end.
Moving Day Tips
- Anything the movers would need tools to disassemble to be able to move can be done ahead of time to save money. Headboards can be unbolted from the bedframes, washer & dryer can be disconnected, & mirrors can be removed from dressers. Place small parts in Zip-lock bags & stash inside the piece or provide Zip-lock bags for the movers to place your screws, etc, if you have us disassemble your furniture.
- If you have areas with limited access through narrow doorways, you can save time by having the door off the hinges beforehand.
- Gas stoves should be disconnected and gas lines capped before moving day.
- Empty all gasoline or fuels out of lawnmowers, chainsaws, and other power tools. Tape or tie yard tools such as rakes, brooms, etc. together and cover w/ a plastic bag.
- Clean your BBQ grill and secure any loose or movable parts.
- Propane tanks MUST be empty.
- On moving day, place plants in plastic garbage bags before placing them in a moving carton. This will preserve moisture and prevent leakage damage.
- Leave a note with your new address in a conspicuous place in your old home so the new occupants will be able to forward any of your mail inadvertently delivered to them. You might want to leave a few stamps too, in case the forwarding time has expired at the post office.
- For safety's sake and to save you time and money, have children and pets spend the day elsewhere.
- If you are moving out of town, be sure to take your phone book with you.
- Refrigerators & freezers that go into rental trucks or storage need to be cleaned and thoroughly dry before moving day. Baking soda or coffee grounds are supposed to absorb any residual odors during trip or storage.
Speaking of Tips
The subject of tips in the form of $ often comes up. We like how another moving company put it:
"Keep your movers happy ! Like most people, they will respond kindly & give you their maximum effort if you give them the courtesy of offering them cold drinks & treating them respectfully. You are paying by the hour, so you want their best effort possible. If you are pleased with the crew's effort, it is not uncommon to tip them, as you would any service provider."
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