Ok - so now you know what a great local mover that All My Sons of Houston is... Now it's time that I share some packing tips that will help you ensure that you will have a great move!!!!
If you decide to pack your belongings yourself, make sure you consider the time and effort necessary to properly protect your belongings. In most cases you can save money by doing your own packing, however I strongly recommended that you let a local mover pack any fragile(s) or valuable items. When you use a Houston mover, you have the option of doing some or all of the packing yourself, or you can leave it to the experts. Discuss the options available to you with your local Houston movers.
For the next couple of days I will be giving you some lessons and tips on how to properly and safely pack your goods. Good packing is an essential key to having a great move: it's especially important that you be familiar with the techniques and boxes that will best protect your possessions. Here are a few things to remember if you have chosen to pack your own goods:
You will need to have everything properly packed and ready for loading when the Local moving company arrives. Your local moving company or Long distance mover has the right to inspect packed-by-owner items to ensure they are sufficiently packed to protect your goods.
If the local mover thinks a container is not packed properly or safely, the local mover may ask you to repack it; or the mover/ carrier may offer to repack the container for you. Keep in mind they will charge you for the service.
You must report any damage to packed-by-owner (PBO) containers on delivery day. If you fail to do so almost all local movers and long distance movers will decline any claim on PBO containers.
Use only strong, corrugated cartons with tops or flaps that fold shut. Purchasing new, high quality packing materials specifically designed for moving can really make the difference in making sure that your household goods arrive at their destination safely. Moving boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes that are specifically suited to fit a variety of household goods. Check with your local movers on prices of boxes for you. You can sometime get used moving boxes at half the price, though I do not recommend you get used boxes for packing your dishes.
What Type of Packing Supplies are You Going to Need?
Dish Pack (also referred to as a dish barrel or a dish box) - is a special box used to pack either dishes or any other type of fragile(s). The box is usually double corrugated for more protection and can some times come with inserts for glasses or dishes.
Small Box (also referred to as a 1.5 cu. ft. box or a book box) - this box is used primarily for books, allowing them to be filled completely and still easy to handle. You can also use this box for miscellaneous small items.
Medium Box (also referred to as a 3.1) - this box is 3.1 cu. ft. (hence the name) it is primarily used as the catch all box. It is strong enough to handle most things and can typically be filled to the brim and still handled pretty easy.
Large Box (also referred to as a 4.5) - this box is 4.5 cu. ft. (hence the name) it is primarily used for linens, sweaters, toys, etc.
Wardrobe Box - this box is used primarily for hanging clothes. It is not uncommon for local movers and shippers alike to fill the bottom of the box with shoes or other foldable garments.
Mirror/Picture Carton ( also referred to a corrugated container) - this box is used to properly pack pictures, mirrors and artwork. Though you can use separate pieces to protect the glass on cabinets and entertainment centers.
Newsprint - just another word for paper. It is the same things as newspaper except there is no print on it. In other words its just plain paper.
Getting Started
Before packing cartons, you'll need to wrap most items to protect them from scratching or breaking. Save old newspapers for packing material, but be careful — the ink may rub off and stain certain items, especially china and glasses. I recommend that you use unprinted newsprint. This is the same type of newsprint that most local movers will use. You should be able to purchase this paper directly from your local Houston mover!
Start by placing a small stack of paper on a flat, uncluttered table or counter top. Round glasses and jars can be rolled up in two or three sheets of paper; always begin from a corner of the sheet and fold the sides in as you roll. Large or odd-shaped items require a similar technique. Place them in the center of the sheet and bring the corners together. It may be necessary to flip the item over and wrap it again from the other side. If in doubt, use more paper! When the corners are brought together, secure them with tape.
Before packing each box, line the bottom with a few inches of wadded paper for padding. Then place large, heavy items on the bottom and lighter, more fragile items on the top. Plates, books and things of a similar shape, should be loaded vertically to utilize their own maximum structural strength.
DO NOT overload your boxes; keep them to a manageable weight. Fill in any voids with wadded paper and also top off your boxes with a few inches of wadded paper. Then tape cartons securely to avoid shifting during transportation.
Packing Tips
Pack one room at a time. This will help in preventing you from getting confused or overwhelmed.
Start with pack things that you do not use often or can live with out. Make sure you do not pack items that you will need until moving day.
I highly recommend that you do not use masking tape or duck tape on your boxes. Masking tape is never strong enough for full boxes and will break. Duck tape does not stick very well and when it does stick it is very hard to get open. The most effective packing tape is poly-vinyl chloride or PVC. You can purchase this tape from your local mover.
Use newspapers only for cushioning not for wrapping items. The ink on the newspapers will rub off and can stain items such as fine china or glasses.
Do not over pack you boxes, instead try to limit your boxes to a maximum weight of 50 pounds this will allow you, the local mover, or long distance mover be able to move your boxes safely. Make sure your boxes are packed firmly and do not rattle or shift. The top should close easily without force, but should not bend inward. Seal your boxes tightly with tape.
Empty all your drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other items.
Pack similar items together. For example, do not pack your china in the same box with pots and pans.
Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
Wind all electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle.
Wrap items individually in clean paper, you can sometimes use colored wrapping paper to draw attention to very small things that might otherwise get lost in a carton. Use a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping.
Place a two or three inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.Build up the layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top. As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer. Once the box is packed place a two or three inch layer of crushed paper on the top for cushioning.
Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
As you finish with each box, put the name or the room it belongs to and the contents on the side of the box (for easy viewing while stacked). Make sure you indicate "FRAGILE" on on any breakables and "THIS END UP" where appropriate. I recommend that you place a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the box labels so the movers can place the boxes into the proper rooms quickly.
Never pack flammable items or non-allowable items. (For example: chemicals, propane tanks, pesticides, etc.)
Make sure you pack high value items carefully. (For example jewelry, stamp collections, coin collections, etc.) I also recommend that you transport these items yourself, however, if that is not possible make sure you register these items with your local Houston Mover - so that they can pay special attention to these items.
Showing posts with label local moving company. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local moving company. Show all posts
Friday, May 2, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Local Mover - All My Son's Packing Tips Lesson #3
Hello... I'm back with the last of my packing tips that will help you with your local move or your national move! Below I have provided you with little tips on packing the miscellaneous items such as lamps, plants, electronics and firearms:
Artificial Flowers
1) An arrangement of artificial flowers should be packed in its own carton.
2) Wrap the arrangement/flowers carefully in plastic wrap, tissue paper or paper towels.
3) Make sure you fasten the base of the floral arrangement to the bottom of the carton.
4) Do not forget to label the carton "FRAGILE" & "THIS SIDE UP."
Lamp Shades & Bases
1) Remove bulbs, harps and shades and set aside.
2) Make sure you handle lampshades by their wire frames only.
3) Carefully wrap each shade in three or four sheets of newsprint or tissue paper.
4) Shades can be nested inside each other, as long as they are separated by paper.
5) Use a sturdy box at least two inches larger all around than the largest shade.
6) Line your box with clean paper, using crushed paper under the lamp shade to create a protective layer, but not around the shade.
7) Wrap harp and finial (decorative knob) with packing paper and tape to the inside wall of the carton that contains the shade.
8) Label cartons "LAMP SHADES" & "FRAGILE."
9) Wrap the base, harp and bulb separately in newsprint.
10) Place them together in a carton, filling spaces with crushed paper.
11) More than one well-cushioned lamp may be packed in a carton.
12) Label cartons "LAMP BASES" & "FRAGILE."
Computers, Stereos and other electronics
If possible, pack electronics in their original cartons. As long as proper packing materials are used electronics can be safely packed in sturdy boxes. Refer to the manufactures' guide or user's guide for special moving instructions. If you no longer have a user's guide, visit the manufacturer's website for an online version or to request a copy.
1) Before disconnecting any wires or plugs, mark the wire or cable and the port you're removing it from with the colored labels. Color code the ports and cables so you can reconnect them later. If you run out of different colors, you can also write a number on the label that will match the port and the cable.
2) For extra protection, write down detailed step-by-step instructions on how you're dismantling the equipment so you can refer to it later when assembling it. Keep this instruction guide in the box with the equipment.
3)Place the cables and wires into a sealable bag (i.e. ziplock baggies) and tape it to the piece of equipment.
4) Remove all parts that can be disconnected and wrap each piece with 3 - 4 sheets of paper.
5) Pad the bottom of the box with a generous amount of newsprint.
6) Place the largest piece of equipment on the bottom and fill holes with additional paper.
7) Place smaller protected items on top.
3) Fill all remaining spaces with paper, making sure nothing rattles or that nothing will shift during the move.
4) Firmly seal the carton.
5) Label each box with the contents and which room it belongs in and also label each box as "FRAGILE" & "THIS END UP."
Note: When you unpack your electronics, let them reach room temperature before plugging them in. Also, Cd's and software can not tolerate high temperatures. If you have sensitive media, you may want to carry it with you as opposed to moving it on the local movers truck.
Live Plants
If you are fond of your plants it is wise to put some time and effort into making the moving process as quick and painless for them as possible. Almost all moving companies will NOT cover plants. They are just too easy to damage. So, you need to take extra care yourself. You also need to bear in mind that certain movers will not carry plants or may have restrictions on those they carry according to your destination. You can move a plant successfully from one house to the next only to see it wither and die a couple of weeks later. To avoid this you need to do some preparations well ahead of your move to get them in peak condition.
1) Get some sturdy boxes & line these boxes with plastic so that they are ready for your moving day.
2) Assess all the plants you want to transport a couple of weeks before you move and prune them, feed them and administer any pest control treatments to get them into peak condition.
3) Think about the pots they're in. I recommend that you re-pot the plants into plastic pots.
4) Check that all your pots are whole and not cracked or broken. A cracked pot stands more chance of breaking in transit and thus damaging the contents.
5) Make sure that the pots are not too big for the actual plant. This can cause them to move about and damage themselves.
6) On your moving day (or the day before if you're pushed for time) make sure that none of the plants are water-logged and drain away any excess water.
7) Pack them snugly (but not too tightly) into the boxes you have set aside and put some packing paper around the pot hold them firmly.
8) Make sure you tell your movers that these boxes contain plants.
9) Plants in large pots should be wrapped in plastic or placed in bags, you can also wrap the actual plant in plastic to avoid damage and to keep the plant together. If you do this be careful to make sure that the plastic is not tied together too tightly, plants still need to breathe!
10) If you're moving garden plants the best time to dig them up is on your moving day. This minimizes disruption.
11) You should dig up the plant so that you have a 'root ball' at the base. Wrap this in plastic and make sure that the earth in it is not too dry.
12) At delivery take your plants out of their boxes and any wrappings as soon as you can.
13) Garden plants need to be put in the garden as soon as possible. Keep in mind you can always move them later.
14) Keep an eye on both house and garden plants for a few weeks after the move and make sure they are well watered and fed as necessary. Your garden plants may be transplanted into soil that is different to that they are used to and they may need extra help and attention.
Firearms
1) You are responsible for transporting handguns and ammunition.
2) Other firearms such as rifles or shotguns must be unloaded.
3) Make sure you get a specific inventory of these items from your local mover or national mover, also make sure your driver includes the serial numbers on the inventory.
I hope that the tips that I have provided you will help make your move easier. As you can see All My Sons wants to help you prepare for your move! Not only can All My Sons be your local mover - but All My Sons can also be your Long distance mover as well! In my next blog I think I will share a couple of heart warming stories that I am blessed to be able to share with you!
Top of Packing Tip #3
Artificial Flowers
1) An arrangement of artificial flowers should be packed in its own carton.
2) Wrap the arrangement/flowers carefully in plastic wrap, tissue paper or paper towels.
3) Make sure you fasten the base of the floral arrangement to the bottom of the carton.
4) Do not forget to label the carton "FRAGILE" & "THIS SIDE UP."
Lamp Shades & Bases
1) Remove bulbs, harps and shades and set aside.
2) Make sure you handle lampshades by their wire frames only.
3) Carefully wrap each shade in three or four sheets of newsprint or tissue paper.
4) Shades can be nested inside each other, as long as they are separated by paper.
5) Use a sturdy box at least two inches larger all around than the largest shade.
6) Line your box with clean paper, using crushed paper under the lamp shade to create a protective layer, but not around the shade.
7) Wrap harp and finial (decorative knob) with packing paper and tape to the inside wall of the carton that contains the shade.
8) Label cartons "LAMP SHADES" & "FRAGILE."
9) Wrap the base, harp and bulb separately in newsprint.
10) Place them together in a carton, filling spaces with crushed paper.
11) More than one well-cushioned lamp may be packed in a carton.
12) Label cartons "LAMP BASES" & "FRAGILE."
Computers, Stereos and other electronics
If possible, pack electronics in their original cartons. As long as proper packing materials are used electronics can be safely packed in sturdy boxes. Refer to the manufactures' guide or user's guide for special moving instructions. If you no longer have a user's guide, visit the manufacturer's website for an online version or to request a copy.
1) Before disconnecting any wires or plugs, mark the wire or cable and the port you're removing it from with the colored labels. Color code the ports and cables so you can reconnect them later. If you run out of different colors, you can also write a number on the label that will match the port and the cable.
2) For extra protection, write down detailed step-by-step instructions on how you're dismantling the equipment so you can refer to it later when assembling it. Keep this instruction guide in the box with the equipment.
3)Place the cables and wires into a sealable bag (i.e. ziplock baggies) and tape it to the piece of equipment.
4) Remove all parts that can be disconnected and wrap each piece with 3 - 4 sheets of paper.
5) Pad the bottom of the box with a generous amount of newsprint.
6) Place the largest piece of equipment on the bottom and fill holes with additional paper.
7) Place smaller protected items on top.
3) Fill all remaining spaces with paper, making sure nothing rattles or that nothing will shift during the move.
4) Firmly seal the carton.
5) Label each box with the contents and which room it belongs in and also label each box as "FRAGILE" & "THIS END UP."
Note: When you unpack your electronics, let them reach room temperature before plugging them in. Also, Cd's and software can not tolerate high temperatures. If you have sensitive media, you may want to carry it with you as opposed to moving it on the local movers truck.
Live Plants
If you are fond of your plants it is wise to put some time and effort into making the moving process as quick and painless for them as possible. Almost all moving companies will NOT cover plants. They are just too easy to damage. So, you need to take extra care yourself. You also need to bear in mind that certain movers will not carry plants or may have restrictions on those they carry according to your destination. You can move a plant successfully from one house to the next only to see it wither and die a couple of weeks later. To avoid this you need to do some preparations well ahead of your move to get them in peak condition.
1) Get some sturdy boxes & line these boxes with plastic so that they are ready for your moving day.
2) Assess all the plants you want to transport a couple of weeks before you move and prune them, feed them and administer any pest control treatments to get them into peak condition.
3) Think about the pots they're in. I recommend that you re-pot the plants into plastic pots.
4) Check that all your pots are whole and not cracked or broken. A cracked pot stands more chance of breaking in transit and thus damaging the contents.
5) Make sure that the pots are not too big for the actual plant. This can cause them to move about and damage themselves.
6) On your moving day (or the day before if you're pushed for time) make sure that none of the plants are water-logged and drain away any excess water.
7) Pack them snugly (but not too tightly) into the boxes you have set aside and put some packing paper around the pot hold them firmly.
8) Make sure you tell your movers that these boxes contain plants.
9) Plants in large pots should be wrapped in plastic or placed in bags, you can also wrap the actual plant in plastic to avoid damage and to keep the plant together. If you do this be careful to make sure that the plastic is not tied together too tightly, plants still need to breathe!
10) If you're moving garden plants the best time to dig them up is on your moving day. This minimizes disruption.
11) You should dig up the plant so that you have a 'root ball' at the base. Wrap this in plastic and make sure that the earth in it is not too dry.
12) At delivery take your plants out of their boxes and any wrappings as soon as you can.
13) Garden plants need to be put in the garden as soon as possible. Keep in mind you can always move them later.
14) Keep an eye on both house and garden plants for a few weeks after the move and make sure they are well watered and fed as necessary. Your garden plants may be transplanted into soil that is different to that they are used to and they may need extra help and attention.
Firearms
1) You are responsible for transporting handguns and ammunition.
2) Other firearms such as rifles or shotguns must be unloaded.
3) Make sure you get a specific inventory of these items from your local mover or national mover, also make sure your driver includes the serial numbers on the inventory.
I hope that the tips that I have provided you will help make your move easier. As you can see All My Sons wants to help you prepare for your move! Not only can All My Sons be your local mover - but All My Sons can also be your Long distance mover as well! In my next blog I think I will share a couple of heart warming stories that I am blessed to be able to share with you!
Top of Packing Tip #3
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