Packing Tips
We've put together some helpful moving and packing tips from our team of experts to make your move a success
Moving Timeline
4
weeks
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)
Call 1st Moving for a free moving estimate or fill out the form.
3
weeks
1. Mail a change of address card to your local post office.
2. Make arrangements to discontinue current service and schedule start-up of new service for:
- Telephone
- Electricity (check for refund)
- Water
- Gas (check for refund)
- Fuel oil
- Parking
- Cable TV
- Hi-Speed Internet Service Provider
3. Have appliances serviced for shipment. If you live in a large apartment or a house, start to pack.
1
week
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”.
Important: If mover is packing all or part of your goods, call to schedule/confirm.
“LOAD LAST”:
- Medicine
- Microwave
- Comfortable clothes
- Plastic containers
- Linens and towels
- Foil and wax paper
- Paper goods
- Extension cord
- Light bulbs
- Tool kit
- Garbage bags
- Step ladder
- Toothbrushes and toiletries
- Disposable plates and silverware
- Cleaning items
(mop and pail, broom and dust pan, etc.)
2
days
Gather valuables and important documents from jewellery cases and safe deposit boxes and take them with you in your car.
All loose belongings need to be boxed. You have three options:
- Have 1st Moving do partial packing (for example, pack only fragile items)
- Have 1st Moving pack everything
- Do it yourself
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.
Packing tips
for safe handling
Where to get boxes
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.
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 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
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.
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.
Box Labeling
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.
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.
Furniture
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do Not Pack
- Money, securities, valuable papers, and jewelry.
- Flammable items: aerosol cans, paints, and gasoline.
- Perishable items: frozen foods, produce, and plants.
- Kitchenware or other heavy items with fragile items such as china and dishware.