PACKING TIPS

·  Use only closed-top boxes. Open-top boxes make loading difficult. Tape flaps down with one piece of tape.

·  Pack heavy items, such as books and magazines, in small boxes. Pack light, bulky items in larger boxes. PLEASE DO NOT PACK HEAVY ITEMS, SUCH AS BOOKS, INTO LARGE BOXES.

·  Pack room-by-room. It's best not to mix items from different rooms in one box.

·  In bold letters, label boxes according to the room you want them taken to in your new home. You may wish to list contents for your information.

·  Coffee, coffeepot, filters, mugs, sugar, spoons, toilet paper, soap, paper towels, screwdrivers, pliers, cable box, and phone are essentials you may need upon arrival at your new home. Pack these items in one box and label it 'Open First'.

·  Movers will reassemble any furniture they disassemble. If you disassemble items, the movers will leave you to reassemble them.

·  Bags can be used to pack the contents of your drawers (eg. kitchen, desk, medicine cabinet, etc.). A suggestion is to pack contents of each drawer into separate bags. Label each bag, for example, 'Top Left Desk Drawer'. Pack these bags in boxes.

 ·  Rugs and mats can be rolled up and taped (do not bend rugs).

·  To prevent small items from being mistakenly thrown out with the newsprint, wrap miniature knickknacks in coloured tissue paper. Or write "small item" on the newsprint, once the item is wrapped.  Place the item in the box so the writing can be seen when the box is opened.

·  Wrap all items made of glass. Cushion all fragile items with ample newsprint, towels, pillows, blankets, etc.

·  Wrap pictures in sheets and blankets and pack them in boxes

·  Large pictures and mirrors (ones that are too big to pack in a box) should remain on the walls. The movers will take care of these, wrapping them in blankets and putting them between mattresses on the truck.

·  Pack contents of filing cabinets into book-size boxes. If a filing cabinet is moved without being emptied, damage could be done to its frame.

·  Remove bulbs before packing your lamps. Pack shades in boxes by themselves. Wrap cords around the post, then wrap lamps in blankets or towels.

·  Disconnect computer and pack in original boxes. If these are unavailable, pack small parts in boxes and the movers will blanket-wrap the remaining components.

·  Smaller stereo components should be packed. The movers can blanket-wrap the larger components.

·  Plates and record albums should be packed on end vertically, rather than flat and stacked. Make sure there is ample padding at the bottom and top of each box.

·  Seal dry food canisters and previously opened boxes, such as laundry soap and cereal, with tape. Make sure that bottle and jar lids and caps have been tightly secured.

·  Before packing sharp objects, such as knives, wrap them in newsprint and label them.

·  Nest pots and pans inside each other with newsprint between each.

·  Pack items from your freezer into boxes and put the boxes back into the freezer. The movers will remove the boxes prior to moving the freezer. The boxes will be put back into the freezer once the freezer is in the truck. This will make it easier for the movers to carry the freezer.

·  Appliances should be clean and dry with moving parts stabilized. The plate from the microwave should be packed in a box.

·  Gas appliances (stoves and dryers) must be disconnected and reconnected by licensed gas installers. Plumbers often have the necessary licensing. Electric stoves, washing machines and dryers can be disconnected and usually reconnected by the movers.

· Please remove all items from dresser drawers, night tables and desks, and pack these items into boxes. Breakable and small items, such as jewelry and loose change could fall out of the piece of furniture as it is being moved down stairs, into elevators and up ramps if they’re left in the drawers. Often furniture has to be set on end to fit into an elevator. Clothes from dressers should also be packed into boxes to help lighten the weight of the furniture.

· The following items cannot be moved in the moving truck:
       - liquid bleach    
       - corrosives       
       - explosives
       - ammunition and firearms
       - flammable items (such as propane tanks, paint, varnish, thinners, gasoline, oil and aerosol cans, and kerosene)
       - plants (we cannot ensure their survival)


Download PDF of Packing Tips here.