MOVING TIPS FROM CLIENTS AND THE EXPERTS

Your Moving Consultant can be a great resource for moving tips. (If you have a tip that will make moving less stressful you may add it to this list by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.) email, phone, fax or mail.

Any time you visit your new residence take something with you. Any items we do not move or pack decrease your cost of the move.

Pack your cartons with the top upright.

Make sure that you are able to accept your goods when our movers arrive at the destination by ensuring that your new residence will be ready.

Pack a popsicle or some ice cubes in a baggy when you are moving frozen food. If they are still in the same shape at the destination then your food has not thawed and been refrozen.

Do not mark every carton as fragile (something must be on the bottom).

Visit your movers office and warehouse.

On long moves put baking soda in refrigerators and freezers to prevent odors.

Do not overload dresser drawers with heavy objects.

Do not use newspaper to package items that cannot be easily cleaned. The ink can transfer from the paper to the item.

On overseas moves, your car must be run dry before the container is closed. Do not gas up before turning over your car to us.

Bricks for book shelves can cost more to move than purchase at the destination.

Old magazines can be sold to second hand book stores or donated to social canters. This can reduce your moving cost significantly if you have accumulated a large amount.

Eat heartily before you move, why pay to pack and move a large inventory of canned food etc. when it all can be replaced at your destination.

Keys, prescription drugs are items that you should store in a safe place where they cannot be packed or moved.

Small potted houseplants can easily be packed into small shallow boxes. Use plenty of paper to ensure that the plants don't tip over In the carton.

Use sturdy garbage bags or plastic to wrap the bottoms of larger potted plants or trees to unsure that the earth doesn't spill. Special plant sleeves are available at nursery's or florist shops to protect the foliage.

If a plant is particularly bushy or over 8 feet tall, trimming may be necessary.

Do not leave small items (brushes, jewelry, etc.) in dresser drawers, They can fall down the back and become lost. It's better to pack small loose items in a shoe box and then in a larger carton with other bedroom items.

Cartons, when filled, should not weight more than 23 kgs. or 50 lbs.

Garbage bags are not suitable for packing; they tear easily and do not protect your goods.

Cartons should be cushioned with crushed newspapers on the bottom, between layers, at the top and in all empty spaces.

Do not mark cartons with anything that will tell the value of the contents or make it unique from othe cartons.

Pack heavier items on the bottom layer of the carton and the lightest, most fragile items on top (fragile items should be packed separately).

Small items, such as salt & pepper shakers, should be wrapped in colored paper or small boxes first so that they don't get lost.

Cartons should not be overfilled. The tops should close flat and nothing should stick out of them.

All cartons should he sealed with proper packing tape.

Label each carton on the top and sides as to its general contents (books, dishes, lampshades, toys) and the room or area where it will be going. Keep a list of the contents of each carton through a numbering system and a notebook. It will make finding individual items easier.

We do not move freezers with food in them. Usually in taking a freezer out of the home it is necessary for the freezer to be tilted going up or down starts and again up and down the ramp to the truck. If there Is food In the freezer, there will very likely be damage to the liner.

Place "Not to be Moved" tags on any items that are not to be moved. Show these to the movers.

Plan easy-to-prepare meals for moving day. Use one carton for dishes, utensils and food for the last meal in the old house and the first one in your new home Mark this carton "Load Last - Unload First". Your Moving Consultant can provide you with appropriate labels.

Clean cupboards, windows and floors in your new home ahead of time if it is empty.

Plan the placement of your furniture in your new home. Make a floor plan, tape signs on rooms doors (e.g., Bedroom No. 2) so that the movers can place the furniture and cartons in the designated areas.

Before the van arrives, for your own peace of mind as well as their safety, we suggest that you arrange for someone to see that children and pets are kept out of the stream of traffic. and away from the van!

Leave all furniture in place, rugs on the floors, cartons and bundles in the rooms in which they were packed or stored. Do not dismantle furniture, even beds. Bedding can be put in cartons and replaced on the beds in your new home.

Make sure that all passageways are left clear and that articles required first in your home are shown to the van operator.

Check all cupboards, behind doors and all storage areas before the van leaves. See that everything that is to go has been loaded onto the van and that those items which were not to be moved are still on the premises.

Put hardware from beds etc. in a carton marked "load last -unload first" carton.

Do a final tour with the driver to ensure everything is loaded.