Use the right size boxes.
Put heavy items, like books, in small boxes; light items, like linens and pillows, in bigger ones. (Large boxes packed with heavy items are a common complaint of professional movers. They not only make the job harder but also have a better chance of breaking.)
Put heavier items on the bottoms of boxes, lighter items on top.
And if you’re loading the truck yourself, pack heavier boxes first, toward the front of the truck, for balance.
Don’t leave empty spaces in the boxes.
Fill in gaps with clothing, towels, or packing paper. Movers often won’t move boxes that feel loosely packed or unbalanced.
Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.
It will make your packing quicker and your unpacking a lot easier, too.
Label each box with the room it’s destined for and a description of its contents.
This will help you and your movers know where every box belongs in your new place. Numbering each box and keeping an inventory list in a small notebook is a good way to keep track of what you’ve packed―and to make sure you still have everything when you unpack.
Tape boxes well.
Use a couple of pieces of tape to close the bottom and top seams, then use one of the movers’ techniques―making a couple of wraps all the way around the box’s top and bottom edges, where stress is concentrated.
If you’re moving expensive art, ask your mover about special crating.
Never wrap oil paintings in regular paper; it will stick. For pictures framed behind glass, make an X with masking tape across the glass to strengthen it and to hold it together if it shatters. Then wrap the pictures in paper or bubble wrap and put them in a frame box, with a piece of cardboard between each framed piece for protection.
Bundle breakables.
As you pack your dishes, put packing paper around each one, then wrap bundles of five or six together with more paper. Pack dishes on their sides, never flat. And use plenty of bunched-up paper as padding above and below. Cups and bowls can be placed inside one another, with paper in between, and wrapped three or four in a bundle. Pack them all in dish-barrel boxes.
Consider other items that will need special treatment.
The owner of Sutherland Shire Removals says his movers treat TVs like any other piece of furniture, wrapping them in quilted furniture pads. He points out, however, that plasma TVs require special wooden crates for shipping if you don’t have the original box and can be ruined if you lay them flat. If you’re packing yourself, double-box your TV, setting the box containing the TV into another box that you’ve padded with packing paper.
MOVING HOUSE CHECKLIST – TWO WEEKS TO GO
Tip #1 – If renting, advise your current landlord or agent, in writing, of your intention to move
Tip #2 – Advise your children’s school / kindergarten and have transfer documents sent to your new school/ kindergarten
Tip #3 – Collect children’s school records, immunisation certificates etc. for the new school
Tip #4 – Contact government agencies and notify them of your new address and date of move
Tip #5 – Inform your doctor, dentist and other medical specialists of your move. Collect your records or request transfer to your new practitioners
Tip #6 – Start notifying businesses, colleagues and service providers of your intended change of address
Tip #7 – Consume your supplies of frozen and perishable foods
Tip #8 – Confirm details with Allied – times for pack, move, unpack, clean, details of storage, insurance etc.
Tip #9 – Arrange to disconnect and connect your essential services, gas, water, phone and electricity.
Tip #10 – Arrange Post Mail Redirection Service application to redirect your mail to your new address
Tip #11 – Transfer all home deliveries to new address
Tip #12 – Arrange childcare for your moving day if necessary
MOVING HOUSE CHECKLIST – ONE WEEK TO GO
Tip #1 – Transfer bank accounts to a more convenient location
Tip #2 – Advise the tax or other government authorities as appropriate
Tip #3 – Repair and clean the general household
Tip #4 – Have a final clean-out and dispose out-of-date materials from under the kitchen sink, garage, laundry etc
Tip #5 – Dispose of flammables
Tip #6 – Drain fuel from lawn mower and other machinery
Tip #7 – Gather all keys from old address, get spares from family and friends
Tip #8 – Send e-cards to everyone with your new details
Tip #9 – Collect instruction books for stove, dishwasher, security system and leave for new owner
Tip #10 – Cancel or change local services such as lawn mowing services, newspaper deliveries etc.
Tip #11 – Keep a bag free with all the things you’ll need for your unpacking and cleaning
Keep a few things out for the kids on move day
Tip #12 – Have your gas bottle purged
Tip #13 – Clean oven
Tip #14 – Clean out medicine cabinet
Tip #15 – Secure electrical items and make sure safe to move
MOVING HOUSE CHECKLIST – MOVE DAY
Tip #1 – Place all suitcases and essential items you need in one specified place so they are not loaded in the removal van, eg. bathroom or car
Tip #2 – Set aside and carry all valuables and important papers and passports with you
Tip #3 – Pack your essentials in the Allied Essentials Carton, (refer Moving Manual)
Tip #4 – Ensure children and pets are safe and out of harm’s way
Tip #5 – Turn off the gas at the meter, the electricity at the switchboard and water at the tap – make sure all cleaning is finished first
Tip #6 – Do a final walk through with the packing team
Tighten taps before you leave
Tip #7 – Leave a note at your old address with your forwarding address details
Tip #8 – Lock all doors and windows as you leave
Tip #9 – Test all keys and consider changing your locks
MOVING HOUSE CHECKLIST – AFTER DELIVERY
Tip #1 – Be sure to unpack the items and, if necessary, file any insurance claim early.
Tip #2 – Store items that don’t fit in your new home – consider selling or donating any unwanted items
Tip #3 – Find where the local sports clubs, parks and social centres are, join some clubs and get involved in your new neighbourhood
Tip #4 – Visit the local shopping precinct and ascertain which shops are best for parking, price and convenience
Tip #5 – Familiarise your pets with your new home as quickly as possible, keep cats inside for at least a week and use Feliway to help cats settle
Tip #6 – Contact the destination office regarding the used packing cartons
