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1. You can save a lot of
money if you do the bulk of the packing on your
own. Limit yourself to non-fragile items such as
books, linens, clothing and shoes; and replaceable
items such as plates, dishes (not fine china or
expensive silverware), and small kitchen appliances.
These items will be cheaper to replace in case of
damage as opposed to hiring workers for the extra
labor. Leave the furniture, mattresses, and heavy
appliances to be packed by the mover.
2. The heavier the item, the
smaller the box it should occupy. Don't toss everything into one
huge box. It will make the hauling much more difficult. A good
rule of thumb is if you can't lift the box easily, it's too heavy!
Keep the weight of the box under 50lbs and remember to always
lift with your knees, not your back.
3. You should never let the movers
pack your jewelry, family heirlooms, or other priceless items.
Should they be lost or damaged, the insurable value will not come
anywhere near the value you would place on them. Such items include
jewelry, sports memorabilia, photo albums, and various hobby collections.
Pack these items yourself and take them with you, either in the
car or as carry-on luggage if size allows.
4. Get the proper boxes for your
items - the right sizes and strengths. Have enough wardrobe
boxes, as they'll save you ironing time later. You can pack t-shirts
and jeans in suitcases and regular boxes but you don't want to
pack your fine clothing such as suits or dresses in the same place.
Save space by tossing in shoes at the bottom of the wardrobe box,
but be reasonable. Don't let the box become too heavy or susceptible
to fallout from the bottom. Purchase the padded dish boxes with
dividers to protect your fine china. For your replaceable and
non-fragile items, save money by using the free boxes that you
can obtain from supermarkets and wrapping the items in old newspaper.
5. Take the time to pack everything
carefully. It is important for you to buffer and separate
the fragile items that you pack with old newspaper, bubble wrap,
sheets, blankets, pillows and towels. Wrap each fragile item separately.
Fill in empty spaces to minimize movement during transit. Pack
plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked.
Purchase strong tape- not masking tape but either duct tape or
the plastic and strapping tape that movers use.
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