Boxing

• We recommend that you invest in new boxes for safety, damage protection and efficiency. It is necessary for us to stack boxes like building blocks in the van. If one box collapses, the whole tier may suffer. We can carry much more at a time if you use new, uniform boxes.
• Use strong boxes and containers that can be secured tightly. Purchase specialty boxes for dishes, art/mirrors, wardrobe and other odd shaped items.
• Be sure to tape the bottom of each box to sufficiently bear the weight of its contents. For heavier boxes, cross the tape like a + to assure adequate support.
• Be sure to stretch tape ¼ of the way up the side of the box for security.
• Cushion contents with packing material such as bubble wrap, newspaper or tissue.
• Wrap fragile items loosely a few times to create plenty of padding.
• Be sure to fill empty spaces with crumbled newsprint to create a solid block. This prevents shifting and strengthens the unit for shipping.
  

Capacity

• Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box. (Books should not be packed into a box with volume larger than 1.5 cubic feet.)
• Pack heavier items first and then lighter/more fragile items toward the top of each box. Be sure to include a pad of packing material at the top of each box to prevent damage to breakables.
  

Labeling

• Label each box and indicate the following: (a) Which room it should go in (b) Whether it is fragile (c) If it should be loaded last so it will be unloaded first.
• Color Coding with adhesive dots will allow for quicker, more accurate delivery of every item into your chosen living areas. We recommend using corresponding colored dots on boxes and furniture with each room of your new home. Merely place a matching color dot on the door jam of each living area. This attention saver will eliminate a barrage of questions at the delivery point.
  

Special Reminders

• Because we move a variety of household goods, hazardous chemicals including paint, fuels, oils, insecticides, cleaners, solvents etc. are not permitted on our vans. Please dispose of such materials appropriately and remember to drain lawnmowers and other small gas powered tools before pick-up.
• Pack audio-video equipment in their original boxes if possible. Label cables and tighten transit screws.
• Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile items and to fill top space in each box.
• Pack books tightly on end in small boxes. If musty smelling, sprinkle talcum powder between the pages and wrap the book before packing. Leave stored for a couple of months to eliminate the smell.
• If removing screws from furniture, tape them solidly to the objects they are removed from.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in wrappings for the move.
• Pack medicines in a leak proof container.
• Carry all valuables such as jewelry with you.
• Out of State Movers--check with your local U.S. Department of Agriculture for regulations regarding moving plants from one state to another. Many states have restrictions on certain plants to prevent importing bugs or pests that can destroy valuable cash crops.
• Potted Plants—Do not water for two days prior to move date in order to prevent leaks and to minimize weight. For larger pots over 10 gallons, do not water for 1week prior.