Packing Tips

Since the team at Columbia Mega Movers has helped many individuals, families, and businesses with their relocation needs, we have gathered together some helpful moving and packing tips from our expert team, on making your next move successful. Below is a timeline and moving and packing tips for you to follow.

Moving Timeline

FOUR WEEKS TO GO:

* Call Columbia Mega Movers for a free moving estimate.
* Begin to inventory your belongings. Decide which items to get rid of, which to take, where to put them in your new place, and which items (if any) need to go into storage (short or long-term).

THREE WEEKS TO GO:

* Mail a change of address card to your local post office.
* Make arrangements to discontinue current service and schedule start-up of new service for:

• Telephone
• Cable TV/ Hi-Speed Internet Service Provider
• Electricity (check for refund)
• Gas (check for refund)
• Fuel oil
• Water
• Parking

* Have appliances serviced for shipment. If you live in a large apartment or a house, start to pack.

ONE WEEK TO GO:

* In separate moving boxes, pack items necessary for the first day in your new home. Label each moving box; we suggest the label “LOAD LAST”.

Include:

• Telephone
• Medicine
• Comfortable clothes
• Linens and towels
• Toothbrushes and toiletries
• Paper goods
• Disposable plates and silverware
• Foil and wax paper
• Plastic containers
• Microwave
• Vacuum cleaner
• Garbage bags
• Tool kit
• Step ladder
• Extension cord
• Light bulbs
• Cleaning items (mop and pail, broom and dust pan, etc.)

* If mover is packing all or part of your goods, call to schedule/confirm.

TWO DAYS TO GO:

* Gather valuables and important documents from jewelry case, safe deposit box, and the like to take with you in car. Do not pack these items with your other belongings.

Move Preparation and Packing

BOXES:

All loose belongings need to be boxed. You have three options: do it yourself, have 1st Moving pack everything, or have 1st Moving do partial packing (for example, pack only fragile items). Remember, in terms of insurance coverage, the moving company is only responsible for damage to items inside boxes packed by the company, unless it is clear that a box was dropped or mishandled.;

Recycled boxes are available free from local stores, but they should all be clean, strong, and sturdy. (During your move, the moving boxes will be stacked on top of each other.) It is important to know how many boxes your move will require, both in terms of obtaining them and budgeting your time. Keep in mind that the longer you have lived in your home, the more stuff you will have accumulated. At 1st Moving, you can purchase new moving boxes that are double corrugated, for extra strength, and all different sizes, for easy packing.

Packing Boxes:

Tape the bottom of every box and tape the top tightly when full. Run two strips of tape along the side and one strip down the center. If the box is still not strong enough, apply more tape on the sides. Use small boxes for heavier items and larger boxes for light weighty, bulky items. Wrap small and/or fragile items individually and stuff the top, bottom and sides of boxes with paper. Stuffing paper in the box will help prevent shifting, rubbing, and breakage. Stack boxes to the top to prevent them from being crushed, but do not pack fragile items too tightly. Label the contents of every box and the room where it belongs; group each room together. Label any moving boxes / items “STORAGE” that 1st Moving will be storing for you. Label boxes with your move-in essentials with the title “LOAD LAST” in order to have these boxes unloaded first. Mark moving boxes “FRAGILE” as appropriate.

Every box needs to be taped, top and bottom, with 2 – 2 1/2 inch gummed or masking tape to give it additional strength and prevent it from opening. You will need one roll of tape for every 15 to 20 boxes. You can buy the tape from any hardware store or from 1st Moving for your convenience.

WRAPPING PAPER:

Ordinary newspaper will do fine for wrapping purposes, but remember that print may run. For items you want to keep clean, you can buy unprinted newspaper from 1st Moving.

BLANKETS:

Furniture should be wrapped in blankets for its protection. We suggest that you leave this job to 1st Moving expert movers. We will provide blankets free of charge on local moves.

ORIGINAL PACKING:

Whenever it is available, use the original packing material for your electronic items (stereo, computer, etc).

DO NOT PACK:

* Money, securities, valuable papers, and jewelry.
* Flammable items such as aerosol cans, paints, and gasoline
. * Perishable items such as frozen foods, produce, and plants
. * Kitchenware or other heavy items with fragile items such as china and dishware.

DISHES AND GLASSES:

Use large, double corrugated boxes. Cushion the bottom with rolled paper. Wrap each piece individually. Bundle flatware in groups of three and wrap the bundle. Do not place one layer of dishes directly on top of another; separate with a layer of stuffed paper. “Nest” less expensive glasses and cups in groups of three and wrap the bundle. Cushion the top along with the sides with paper to prevent shifting — the steadier the contents, the less chance of damages.

CLOTHING:

Empty dressers completely. Put hanging clothes in wardrobe boxes. Use the bottom of the wardrobe boxes for shoes. Put extra tape along the sides.

PICTURES:

Use a picture box. Line the bottom of box with paper. Place the picture in the box, then stuff the front, back, and top with paper.

LAMPS:

Remove light bulbs. Put the lampshade in a separate box marked “FRAGILE”.

ELECTRONICS:

If possible, pack in original cartons. If not, pack each item separately in reliable moving boxes. Use bubble wrap. Color-code the wiring for easy reinstallation. For CD Players, remove all CD’s, and check instructions to secure the laser. For personal computers, backup important information; “park” the hard disk (program often included on diagnostics diskette). Insert an old or blank disk in the floppy disk drive, if applicable.

Follow these moving and packing tips for a safe move..