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USEFUL PACKING TIPS
Proper packing is the crucial to an efficient and stress-free move, without any damages along the way. Even though we do offer and recommend professional packing service, we do realize that this is not everybody's preference or it’s not something that is suitable if you are on a budget.
If you are planning to pack your own apartment or home, please take the time to read through these important tips.
Allow yourself enough of time to complete the packing
Make sure you give yourself enough time to pack everything up. Don’t leave it to the last minute and add the stress that you don’t need. Ideally give yourself a week or 2, depending on the size of your place.
Make some “Special Boxes”
Make up a couple of boxes and pack up anything you may need in the days immediately after your move. You should label them appropriately (i.e. “Keep Accessible”, “Need Access”, “Leave On A Side”, etc.)
You may want to make a box of stuff to take yourself (passports, important documents, etc.). Mark that box as “Do Not Touch”.
Selecting proper boxes
We recommend ordering properly sized moving boxes.
Avoid boxes smaller than 1.0 cubic foot: Otherwise you will spend a lot of time assembling boxes, you will not be able to fit too much into them and it will also take us longer to stack them in the truck.
Avoid boxes larger than 5 cubic ft: Larger boxes are far more cumbersome and difficult to move. They also have a tendency to fall apart.
Make sure the cardboard is thick enough to support the weight of the items you are packing in the box.
We will be happy to deliver packing materials to you before your move. Click here for our materials list.
Recommended Box sizes
1.5 cubic feet (Book boxes): As the name suggests, this size should be used for packing books and heavier items (vinyl records, magazines, liquids, small nick-nacks etc.)
3.0 cubic feet (Medium, Linen boxes): These are useful for packing of linens, folded clothes, shoes, etc. Also you can use them to pack kitchen items, such as utensils and small appliances. You might consider using them to pack properly protected delicate items such as coffee mugs, everyday plates and bowls, but you are better off using some boxes made of thicker reinforced cardboard.
For more tips on packing fragile items, see the next page.
4.5 cubic feet (Large, Large Linen boxes): As medium boxes, these are also used for folded clothes, shoes, linens. These are best to use for pots and pans, Tupperware, and basically any light non- fragile items.
Mini- Dishpacks: Roughly the same size as Medium boxes, they are constructed of thicker, reinforced cardboard. You should use them for very fragile items, such as china and stemware.
Dishpacks (5.02 cubic ft, China boxes): Use these for larger, very fragile items, such as vases, sculptures, and breakable lampshades.
Buy packing paper (blank newsprint). It will save you hours of fumbling around opening newspapers or cutting bubble wrap. It is also relatively inexpensive. Usually a roll or 2 should be enough for a household, depending on the size and the amount of fragile items that you own.
We strongly recommend using reinforced cardboard boxes (Dish Packs.)
Line the bottom of your boxes with crumpled up packing paper. You want about a 1-inch buffer when the paper is loosely crumpled. You should also do this at the top of the box before you seal it. Do not save on the paper.
Wrap larger plates individually in 1- 2 sheets of paper, and pack them flat like on a table. You can bundle smaller plates together by folding the same sheets of paper over to separate each plate.
Framed photos and sheets of glass you can pack on their side, not laying flat as plates.
Pack cups, glasses, and bowls standing up, as you would see them on a table, if your box has inserters. You should also pack glass bottles this way. Otherwise, cups and glasses can be packed laying on a side next to each other. Again, using enough of packing paper is esential.
Be wary of stacking anything on top of very thin glass or china.
If you are packing smaller items, you can fit several layers in each box by separating them with more crumpled paper.
Make sure each box is full. Fill any empty space with packing paper. This will stop items moving around and prevent the box from crushing. A good way to test the box is to shake it, if there is no sound coming out of the box it should be a good indicator that the items are packed securely.
Beside boxes, you can also use plastic bins, suitcases and duffle bags to pack up items from your household.
If you are packing any liquids, make sure they are sealed or closed tightly and use ziploc bags and plastic bins for these items.
Anything that you can’t fit into boxes, you should just leave up to our team to prepare for shipping.
Sealing and labeling boxes
Tape the bottom of each box before you begin packing it.
Tape the top when it’s full.
Write the name of the designeted room that you would want the particular box to be placed into, at the destination. If your exact destination is unknown, write the name of the room that the contents came out from.
You should also write a brief description of the contents of each box in case you need to find something in a hurry.
Make sure to label fragile items accordingly.
My move date is tomorrow and I am not fully packed/not packed at all
A lot of people don’t get as much done as they hope before the move day.
If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic. It happens quite a bit and we are always prepared for these situations.
Ideally, you should let us know the day before your move. We will be sure to bring enough materials and manpower to get everything done.
Try and get a good nights rest. Though it may end up costing you a little more, what will take you all night, we will get done in a fraction of the time.
BAY AREA PREMIER MOVING AND STORAGE COMPANY