Packing
What will I need to pack? How much time will I need? What materials will I need?
It is best to start packing 2-4 weeks before the move is scheduled. This will give you time to adequately prepare your household items for transport. Give yourself enough time to do it leisurely and make decisions about what you are keeping and what you are giving away or selling. Rushing only adds to the stress and we want you to be relaxed and calm.
Boxes
All loose items need to be boxed so nothing will get lost or broken. Office supplies, lamps, chairs, and other home furnishings will need appropriate boxes. Before boxing breakable items, they will need to be wrapped with appropriate protective materials.
W.C.M will provide boxes and packing materials to make your move easier. Whether you choose to purchase them privately or from us, we have provided a list off packing materials and tips that will make your move smooth and easy. Just give us a call for additional pricing information.
Packing materials
We recommend the following:
Newspaper or packing paper for wrapping glassware and breakables.
Bubble wrap or packing peanuts for lamps, electronics, and other breakables.
Packing tape-2” clear or brown tape, and we recommend investing in a tape gun to make it easier to tape boxes closed. These items can be bought at a hardware store. You will need about one roll of tape for every 15-20 cartons.
Original packing-if you still have original packing from appliances or home furnishings such as computers or electronics; it will be that much easier to repack them in the boxes and materials that were made for them.
Twine or string to secure irregularly shaped items such as paintings.
Stickers in different colors that can be attached to the outside of boxes, according to the rooms in your new home (for example Red for the kitchen, Blue for the Master bedroom, etc.) or according to category (for example, Red for kitchen ware, Blue for linens, Brown for books).
Permanent markers in varying thicknesses for labeling boxes.
Basic Tips for Easier Moving
Make a master inventory list of your belongings, according to contents of boxes, and make several copies, stored in different locations, in case you lose one. This is absolutely essential. You may color-code the list or match it to the labels on the boxes, according to the rooms in your new home, or by category. You do not want to be searching for first-aid supplies in the box that contains tools!
Make sure the items most needed are available to you soonest. The items loaded last onto the truck will be unloaded first so items like cleaning supplies baby items, and tools should be loaded last.
Pack an overnight bag with items you will need right away such as a couple of changes of clothing and cosmetics, baby items, and snacks and drinks.
Label the contents on the outside of every box. Include descriptions such as Fragile or Heavy (books), destination (Bedroom, Kitchen, Study).
Fill boxes to the top to prevent shifting and crushing. Fragile items should not be packed tightly, but with newspaper or other padding in between. Stuff boxes with paper to take up any excess space.
Pack items according to weight-small boxes for heavier items such as books, larger boxes for lighter or bulkier items such as pillows and bedding.
Tape each box as you fill it. Tape the bottoms and tops of boxes, two strips along the sides and one down the center.
Wrap fragile and small items individually to prevent loss and breakage.
Pad your items with packing paper or newspaper.
More specific tips for special items:
Glass, stemware, and china- nest items with paper in between, cushion the bottom with rolled-up paper, always separate pieces with paper in between, use large, strong, double-corrugated boxes, stuff boxes with paper in empty spaces.
Flatware-flatware is heavy and can get scratched so wrap them in small groups of three or four and then wrap the bundle in a zip lock bag.
Pictures and art- use picture boxes, line box with paper and wrap picture in paper, front and back. You may tie with twine.
Lamps and fixtures- remove light bulbs and wrap individually, put lampshades in boxes that are marked FRAGILE. Wrap well with packing paper.
Electronics-use originally packing, if possible. Use bubble wrap. For easy reinstallation code wiring with tape. For computers-back up your hard drive.
Clothing and shoes-put hanging clothes in wardrobe boxes. Use bottoms of boxes for shoes. Empty dressers and cabinets completely.
Are there any items the mover’s should not pack?
Even if you are moving down the street, pack these items separately and keep them with you: valuable papers and documents, money or bonds, jewelry, flammable materials such as paints, gasoline, etc.
Residential Long Distance Packing
W.C.M will professionally pack up your house with attention to detail and will use the proper materials to ensure that your belongings will arrive safely to their destination. Whether you decide to do the packing yourself or prefer that our professionals do it, our relocation consultant will create and facilitate a plan that will work for you and be the most expedient. Our packers will properly wrap your items in packing materials such as packing paper, bubble wrap, or padding before packing them into appropriately sized and shaped boxes or crates. Unpacking should be simple and pleasant because your inventory is in order and boxes have been delivered to the right placement in your new home.