Packing can be a tedious,
time-consuming chore that takes skill and the right materials
to prepare household articles for your move. Greaves Moving and
Storage recommends that you have our professionals pack for you.
We're trained in proper procedures, have the right materials,
and can do it in about a quarter of the time.
Items that
require professional packing:
Marble, glass tabletops,
heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" x 60" or larger
Pool table slates. Bulky, fragile items like large trophies, statuary,
chandeliers and other items that require crating.
Things that
need to stay with you as you move:
Cash, securities,
jewelry and furs, firearms (consult local laws), personal papers
and documents (like birth certificates, insurance policies and
deeds), prescriptions, coin
and stamp collections, special family photographs and videos,
moving-related documents.
Packing trade
secrets that we would like to share with you:
Purchase proper cartons
and packing materials (unprinted newspaper, bubble wrap and tape)
and ensure that you have the correct sizes and types you will
need. More importantly select cartons that are specifically designed
for packing your household goods.
Wrap fragile articles
the way professionals do, use two layers of unprinted newspaper
per glass, dish, figurine, etc. Wrap firmly, but loosely enough,
to provide a cushioning effect.
Don't overcrowd boxes.
Professionals pack boxes so articles cushion each other. The top
of the box should close with slight pressure. Don't mix incompatible
items (like books with glasses). Pack clothing in our special
wardrobe containers. That way your clothes will hang straight
and stay clean and virtually wrinkle-free.
Pack glasses standing
on end, upside down, and not on their sides. Stack dishes on edge,
and fill empty spaces with wadded unprinted newspaper. Before
packing the box with dishes layer the bottom of the carton with
crumpled unprinted newspaper.
Pack lampshades, mirrors,
pictures, etc., in cartons designed specifically for them. Ask
your Greaves Moving and Storage representative for guidance.
Tape boxes across
tops and edges. Seal every opening tightly. (See Types of Boxes,
Tools & Materials You'll Need below.)
Pack your belongings
room by room to make unpacking easier. Label each box with your
name, Greaves Moving and Storage contract number, the room the
box goes to, and a brief description of the contents. Mark items
you'll need right away once you move with "Unpack First,"
and mark only truly fragile items with "Fragile."
Don't pack paints,
turpentine, pressurized cans, corrosive items like bleach or any
flammable liquid. The law forbids movers to carry flammables.
Properly dispose of or give away anything that could cause a fire
or damage.
Personal Computer
Packing:
When packing a personal
computer, these steps will help you prepare it for safe transport.
To pack your computer, we strongly recommend that you use the
computer's original carton and packing materials. If they're not
available, use a box that is both strong and big enough to hold
the computer and pack it with unprinted newspaper. Check with
your local computer dealer for more advice.
Back up your software
and data files. Park the hard drive (if applicable). See your
computer's instruction manual for special steps. With newer computers,
simply turning the power off initiates this safety feature. Insert
cardboard or an old disk into the disk drive's.
Unhook all cables
and power cords, indicating their positions for easy set-up. Pack
cords separately with manuals and software. Remove all ink cartridges
from the printer.
Use only static-free
packing materials like clean, wadded unprinted newspaper (not
standard bubble wrap or packing peanuts). Create a base layer
of wadded unprinted newspaper and place your computer on top of
that layer. Then surround sides and top with more wadded unprinted
newspaper until firmly packed. Finally seal the carton with packing
tape.
Tools &
materials you will need for packing:
Unprinted newspaper
and tissue paper (newspaper ink can soil and even damage some
items), 2" plastic tape (to assemble and close cartons),
utility knife, scissors, permanent markers
Types of Boxes:
1.5 cu. ft. in U.S.,
and 2.0 cu. ft. in Canada (book box) Use for heavy or dense items
including books, records, shoes, canned goods, kitchen canisters,
small appliances, and hand or power tools.
3 cu. ft. in U.S.,
and 4.0 cu. ft. in Canada. General purpose size. Good for toys,
lampshades, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, etc.
4.5 and 6 cu. ft.
in U.S., and 5.0 cu. ft. in Canada. For large lightweight items
such as pillows, bedding, and toys. Do not over load.
Wardrobe boxes. Equipped
with bar for hanging clothes, curtains and draperies. The bottom
is not designed to support weight.
Dish packs. Specially
designed with available cell dividers for transporting dishes,
glasses, bowls and other kitchenware. Also good for lamps, small
pictures, knick knacks and light appliances.
Mirror boxes. Telescoping,
large and small sizes. Provide extra protection for mirrors, large
pictures and glass table tots.
Mattress boxes. Available
in crib, standard, double and queen or king sizes.
Moving Planner
Checklist
If possible, allow
up to 30 days to plan your move and schedule any activities you
want to complete before moving day. Avoid peak periods for moving:
the first few days and the last few days of the month are times
when everyone wants to move. Start planning early, and you'll
be surprised how smoothly it can be done.
The following checklist
is designed to help your plan your move.
4 to 6 Weeks
prior to your move:
Conduct an inventory.
Decide what to move and what not to take.
Discard or sell anything
you don't really need. Schedule a moving sale for items you won't
move. Donate other items to charitable organizations (ask for
a receipt for tax records).
Make arrangements
for your trip (hotel/airline reservations, travel itinerary, etc.).
Arrange for packing.
Greaves Moving and storage can make these arrangements and
provide special packing cartons.
Put all your personal
records together: medical, dental, school, birth, baptism, marriage,
etc.
Send transcripts of
your school records to the new school in advance.
Close local department
store and other local charge accounts.
Arrange with employer
to forward tax withholding forms.
Make arrangements
to discontinue (current location) and commence (future location)
these services: newspaper delivery, electricity (check for refund),
water service, gas service (check for refund), fuel or oil delivery,
garbage collection, diaper service, lawn/pool service.
Mail change of address
cards to: Post office, Canada Customs Revenue Agency, Social Security
offices, Insurance companies, Credit cards, Magazines, Friends
and relatives,
Mail order accounts
2 to 3 Weeks
prior to your move:
Fill, transfer and
pack prescriptions for family and pets.
Arrange for shipments
of plants and pets. Get immunization records for pets.
Safely dispose of
or give away all flammables (paints, paint removers, etc.) as
they may not be transported.
The Week prior to your move:
Defrost refrigerator
and freezer, plus allow air-drying to prevent mildew. Arrange
for disposal of frozen foods (sell, give away, or eat).
Arrange for cleaning.
Clean oven, remaining appliances and defrost fridge/deep freezes.
Transfer/close checking
and savings accounts.
Drain fuel and oil
from lawnmowers and other power equipment. Drain garden hoses.
Pack items to be carried
in car. Label "Do Not Move."
Gather valuables from
safe deposit box, drawers, jewelry cases, personal records.
Send clothing, draperies,
curtains, rugs out for cleaning and leave in wrapping. Take down
curtain rods, shelves, TV antenna.
Have car serviced
for trip and have proof of insurance in car.
Moving Day:
Remember to pack a
box of the basics you will need (tools, paper products, all-purpose
household cleaners, etc.). Be sure to have it loaded last so that
it will be first off at your new home.
Pack suitcases for
trip. Remove all bed linens. Ensure you have all necessary toiletries.
Be available to check
items on the inventory sheet and answer mover inquiries.
Conduct a last minute
walk through with your van operator. Make sure windows are closed,
closets empty, lights out, doors locked, appliances turned off.
Provide the driver
with your travel itinerary, phone contact at destination (if available)
and confirm delivery address and access times. KEYS ?
Delivery Day:
Be available to check
off items on the inventory sheet and direct placement of your
furniture. as they are removed from the van.
How to Save
Money
The best way to save
money is to avoid moving anything you don't really need. It is
expensive to move that heavy refrigerator if you're about to replace
it or to move the
bricks you've been saving to build a barbeque.
