Packing Supplies & Tips

RECOMMENDED PACKING SUPPLIES

1. Assortment of colored stickers or tape for marking boxes and furniture
2. Newsprint, craft paper or corrugated paper for wrapping and protecting fragile items
3. Bubble wrap and pieces of cardboard for wrapping and protecting mirrors, pictures, etc
4. Rolls of packing tape and a tape gun (an inexpensive and very useful purchase!)

5. Markers and labels for identifying contents of boxes and containers
6. Notebook and pencil for carton identification log
7. Box cutting knife
8. Bathroom scale (great for weighing boxes to make sure they aren’t too heavy to move or more than your boxes can handle!) Make sure boxes are 50 lbs or less.

Buy only strong, corrugated cartons or plastic containers with lids. Movers and moving supply companies offer professional-grade boxes with thicker walls, which are more durable than standard shipping-grade boxes and can better protect your valuables from potential damage
Buying used boxes is a great way to save money. You can often find them being sold online by searching Craigslist and social media sites. Also, ask your mover if they have used boxes for sale!
Grocery stores often have used boxes available for the taking, but avoid boxes that have carried fresh fruit and vegetables. They can carry insects and insect eggs.
Old newspapers are useful for packing (just be aware that the ink can rub off and stain some items)

Before starting to pack, ‘clear out the clutter’ by donating or discarding items you don’t plan to keep. Moving is a great time to purge and get organized!
Have a game plan:
- Create a list of the rooms in your new home
- Place a colored label or piece of colored tape next to each one
- As you pack, mark each box on the top and at least one side with the appropriate colored label/tape
- Post copies of your list on move-in day to help the movers know where items should be delivered
Be systematic: pack one room at a time

Don’t overpack boxes! Use a bathroom scale and shoot for a max of 50 lbs
Start packing items you do not need as far in advance as you can.
Make a box of documents, valuables, family medical records and anything else you may need to access quickly and keep it with you during the move (in the trunk of your car is a great place!)
Pack an “essentials” box to keep with you during the move. Pack a roll of toilet paper, a couple of flashlights or candles, a toothbrush and toothpaste and any other ‘must have’ items if you have to spend your first night in your new home without certain amenities unexpectedly
Always tape boxes closed for structural integrity. Do not interlock the flaps.

Relax, we will do the lifting for you