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Moving & Packing Tips
In our nearly 50 years in the moving business Wakefield Moving and Storage has supervised over 20,000 moves. When you move that many families and businesses you learn a little about how to prepare for a move. Here are some tips we have picked up along our journey. We hope we can answer all your packing and moving questions when you select Wakefield Moving and Storage for your next Home relocation.
Packing and Moving takes Time and Planning
Give yourself enough time. You should be planning your move at least 6 to 8 weeks before your move date. Put together checklist of what materials (# of boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, newspaper, etc.) You will need and a plan for how long you think it will take to pack each room.
When it doubt “Throw Out”
Let's face it; most of us are pack rats. A move is an ideal time to get rid of that “stuff” you have collected over the years. Why pack it and move it when your intention is to throw it out later. Give yourself enough time to go through the items you should throw out now! You will thank yourself later. Many people have had great success downsizing by having a “yard sale” or “garage sale” a couple of weeks before the move. This tactic will not only reduce the cost of the move by minimizing the volume of goods to pack and transport, but will actually generate funds to offset your relocation expenses.
Packing Boxes can be your best tool if you use them properly. Use smaller boxes for heavier items such as books and larger boxes for lighter items such as clothing and bedding. Regardless of the size of box someone has to move it, so you should keep the weight of each box to less than 50lbs.
When Packing a Box make sure the bottom is secured with Packing tape, other tapes such as masking tape, or electrical tape is not designed for this purpose and may give way during transport. Use ample amounts of padding or crumpled newspaper in the bottom of each box. This acts as a shock absorber for everything else in the box and protects your items from bumps in the road. Pack plates, glasses, cups, small pictures, and vases in a vertical position. They are much stronger, and therefore less vulnerable, in this position. Pack larger heavier items at the bottom of the box. Small loose items should be placed in smaller boxes or bags and then may be placed in the larger boxes for the move. If you don’t mind refolding some clothes or bedding after the move, use these soft items to wrap more fragile items. This is a great way to protect items such as lamps and vases and has the added benefit of saving space and cost of packing materials.
Labeling and Documenting every box will help in unpacking and will help you know what is missing should a box be misplaced. Every box should have a label with a general description of its contents and where it is going (e.g. master bedroom, kitchen, cellar, etc.). This process takes a bit of time but will save time on the other end of the move. Do not mark every box “FRAGILE.” This will only make it more difficult to load your items safely and would in fact increase the chance that your fragile items do not get the special attention they deserve.
Padding and Packing Material to fill in empty spaces is the most critical item to insure that your personal items will not be damaged. Most items are damaged because of vibration or banging together during transport not during packing or unloading. Make sure breakable items are protected by using bubble wrap, Clean Packing Paper, Pillow cases, or other soft fabric items such as clothing before you close and seal the box. There should be no empty spaces in the carton when it is sealed.
Fine Furniture, Mirrors, Paintings, and Plasma TV’s are specialty items that require bubble wrap, padded boxes or special crates for moving. You can pack these items yourself but you should also consider that Wakefield specializes in this form of packing and will guarantee that your high value items will arrive safely to your new home.
Moving Pets
Moving to a new home is clearly one life’s most stressful events: it can be equally stressful for your pets. While planning for a move we can often overlook those things that need to be done to make sure that our pets are moved in the most humane way possible. Communities have different laws and regulations concerning the registration of pets and it is important to research these items ahead of time. For a complete guide to moving your pets please visit the Humane Society of the United States at http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/moving_how_to_move_your_pet_safely.html
Non-Allow-ables are items that should not be included in your household goods shipment, including hazardous materials such as poisons, corrosives, explosives and flammables. Unless special arrangements are made, perishables such as refrigerated and frozen foods are not allowed. All non-allow ables are prohibited by law.
