Like the game of chess, the planning of your move has a real snowball effect.  The first box you pack will have an effect on several other boxes you pack.  Packing your belongings in a logical manner will reduce the anxiety and inconvenience of the move significantly.  Here are some suggestions:

• Before you begin to pack anything, discard or sell some or all of the following:
  • things you don’t need or want
  • clothing you haven’t worn in 2 years
  • oil rags, matches, gasoline, lighter fluid
  • cooking oils from the kitchen
• Packing 10 boxes a day for 10 days is better, easier, and less stressful than 100 boxes on the day before the move!

Doctors are constantly telling us of the high frequency of heart attacks occurring yearly at the first snowfall…. Well the same applies to moving and lifting heavy boxes.  Be very careful, and always lift with your legs, not with your back!

• Begin packing the items in your home or garage that are the least important and least used (i.e. items in storage, the attic, closets, garden tools, power tools, etc.)
• It seems that our furniture picks up most of their bumps, bruises, scratches and dents not from everyday use, but only when we move…. Wrap and cover all furniture in the moving truck.
• Keep those large towels, blankets and sleeping bags handy to wrap around furniture while in transit.
• Borrow or rent moving blankets from the local moving store (U-Haul, etc.).
• If you are renting a truck, the best advice I can give is always rent a truck that you think is too big for your needs.  If you think you need a 14′ truck, always rent the 18′ truck - you’d be amazed how all those toys, bicycles, shovels, and lamps will take up valuable space in your truck.  Imagine the extra rent and gas costs for an extra trip because the truck you ordered was too small!

THE DAY OF THE MOVE WITH THE MOVING COMPANY:

• When the moving company arrives, make a note of their arrival and departure time. Upon receipt of your invoice, ensure that it matches the actual time worked, or part thereof.
• When the moving company arrives, go through the house with the van foreman, giving him any special instructions that you may have.
• Advise the drivers where you may be reached at your destination.
• Advise the drivers of any articles you may require first in your new home so they may be loaded accordingly.
• Exchange cellular and car telephone numbers with the moving company, if so equipped.
• If you are moving into a new home in a new subdivision, check to see that the roads and your driveway are suitable and accessible for the moving truck.
• Let your moving company roll your area rugs correctly.
• Let the moving company dismantle and set up your beds.
• Do not roll mattresses.  Leave these items for the movers.
• Any fixtures fastened to the wall, such as mirrors, drapery track, etc. should be taken down for the movers. Make a floor plan of your new home. This will greatly assist the movers in determining where to place the furniture when it is unloaded.
• Any items such as luggage that you are not including in the goods to be moved by the mover should be kept separate so they will not be moved in error.
• If you are storing your goods, inspect the company’s warehouse facilities, and security services of the facility.
• When storing, notify your moving company of any items that you may want access to.  The company will then ensure that these items will be kept forward in the storage pallets.
• When you think your house is completely empty, go through it one more time with the van foreman, including the attic, basement and garage.
• A small gesture of soft drinks or coffee to the movers will be appreciated.  A cold beer may seem more appropriate, but remember that they’re handling your life-long hard-earned possessions!

PACKING HINTS:

• Liquids in bottles should have tops securely fastened
• Never pack articles above the top of boxes
• Records, books and CD’s should be pack on their ends in small boxes
• Pack blankets in large boxes
• Pack pillows and towels in dresser drawers
• Large mirrors, glass table tops, valued paintings and pictures should be carefully packed or professionally crated
• Pack lampshades in boxes by themselves
• Do not wrap lampshades in newsprint that may rub off
• Wrap lampshades in clean tea towels or tissues
• Handle lampshades by the frame only, not by the lampshades covering
• Do not pack irons or kitchenware in the same box as china or crystal
• Do not pack cleaning compounds, soap, furniture polish or medicines in the same box as groceries
• Securely tape trays in stove, refrigerator and freezer
• Do not pack heavy items on top of shoes
• Table lamps, floor lamp bowls and light bulbs should be packed
• Grandfather Clocks should be prepared for shipment by a jeweller to protect the movement
• When packing china, place heavy items at the bottom of the box
• China plates and all other flat pieces should always be packed on their end
• Small items like salt and peppershakers should be packed in their own small box or a “zip-lock” bag inside the moving box
• Clothing may be stored in large wardrobe boxes
• Wardrobe boxes are excellent for moving drapes
• Always remove hooks from drapes prior to packing so they don’t tear the fabric in the moving process
• Tie brooms, mop handles, and curtain rods in bundles
• Tie rakes and other garden equipment in bundles
• Power tools such as table saws, lathes, grinders, etc. should be dismantled for safe moving. All blades should be removed for safety
• All electrical appliances should have their power cords bundled by elastic bands
• Defrost your refrigerator the day before moving
• Never move your refrigerator or freezer in any position other that in the upright position
• Always drain gasoline from such items as outboard motors, power mowers, snowmobiles, motorcycles and snow blowers
• Arrange with an electrician to have your gas or electric stove professionally disconnected
• Take your old telephone book with you
• Today, many people own the telephones they use in the home.  Remember to disconnect and take the phones that you own with you. If you are renting a telephone from Bell Canada, you will save the cost of the service call if you return the phone to your local Bell Phone Centre.