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Click on the links below to
jump to the relevant information
How to Save Money
Choosing the Right Mover
Getting the Right Valuation Coverage
A Helpful Checklist
Getting Started Packing
Packing Tips to Remember
Do's and Don'ts of Packing
Packing Valuables
Packing the Kitchen
Packing Appliances
Packing Other Items
Determining Costs
The best way to save money is to avoid moving anything you don't really need. Your move cost will be
determined by weight and it is expensive to move heavy articles such as a refrigerator if you're about
to replace it, or to move the bricks you've been saving to build a barbecue.
Dispose of broken tools, old toys and lawn furniture. Donate old clothing and other items that you
no longer need to charity or hold a garage sale!
If you are doing your own packing, use cartons or boxes--not trunks or wooden boxes--to pack your
belongings. Use wardrobes only for the clothing you will need upon arrival at your new home; pack
off-season clothing in cartons, tightly and snugly. Books can be shipped parcel post, usually at a
considerable savings. Our sales staff will gladly assist you with suggestions for other ways to save
money, based on their inspection of your household.
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Selection of a qualified mover is a must for a good move. A few suggestions that may help are:
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Choose an experienced moving firm with an established reputation for good service and reliability. |
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Ask the advice of a friend or neighbor who has moved recently. |
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Arrange an appointment with a representative of a responsible moving firm to determine whether they will
provide the services you need. |
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Remember that you will be entrusting this company with your most valuable personal possessions. Disregard
flamboyant advertising pitches and select your moving company carefully. We hope that you'll consider
Moving Solutions and Global Van Lines for your moving needs. |
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Moving Solutions and Global Van Lines offers a variety of valuation and other coverage plans designed to
meet your personal needs. Be sure to ask your sales representative for a full explanation of each
alternative. You might also want to check with your homeowner's insurance policy, which may provide
coverage for valuable items during your move.
Basic Liability: When you move, your shipment automatically receives basic liability protection. This
coverage, which is provided by all carriers free of charge, covers your possessions at a rate of 60
cents per pound, per item--regardless of its actual value. As an example, if a 30-pound microwave oven
were damaged beyond repair, you would receive up to $24 for its repair or replacement.
Declared Value Protection: Declared value protection provides coverage for the replacement value of the
item--minus depreciation. Cost for this coverage is based on the weight of the shipment and/or the lump
sum or per-pound value that you declare, subject to certain minimums.
Replacement Value Coverage: With replacement value coverage, if an item is lost or damaged beyond repair,
you would receive full replacement cost regardless of depreciation. This coverage is available with full
value or with a deductible option. Your cost and maximum protection levels are dependent on the value
that you declare for your shipment.
For more information and complete details on your coverage options, consult with your sale representative.
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3 to 4 Weeks Before Your Move:
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Discard or sell anything you don't really need. |
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Make an inventory list of the items you wish to move. Use Global's helpful Household Inventory and Value Chart. |
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Discuss a method of payment with your Global representative. |
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Arrange for Global "Elite Packing Service" and select a convenient date. |
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Arrange to obtain packing cartons for those items you want to pack personally. |
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Notify the Post Office and complete a Change of Address card. |
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Prepare list of address change notices. |
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Send address change to friends and businesses. |
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Have your W-2s and other tax forms forwarded. |
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Check and clear any unpaid tax assessments. |
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Arrange for transfer of all medical and dental records. |
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Transfer all insurance records. |
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Check auto-licensing requirements for your destination. |
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Have letters of introduction written, if needed. |
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Arrange for transfer of school records to new school. |
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Arrange for transfer of jewelry and important documents. |
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Close charge accounts. |
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Arrange for shipment of pets and immunization records. |
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Make travel plans. |
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Make hotel reservations and note to confirm before departure. |
2 Weeks Before Departure:
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Collect all clothing and items to be cleaned or repaired. |
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Return all borrowed items; collect things that you have loaned. |
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Have all medical prescriptions refilled and check if they are refillable at your new destination. |
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Have your bank transfer your accounts and release your safe deposit box. |
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Arrange to disconnect utility services. |
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Have farewell parties and visits. |
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Make arrangements to have special appliances serviced for move. |
1 Week Prior to Move:
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Dispose of all flammables and explosives. |
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Pack suitcases. Include all items you will need until your shipment arrives. |
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Select games and books to occupy children while traveling. |
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Arrange for baby sitter for moving day so you can devote personal attention to the move without interruption. |
1 Day Before Departure:
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Finish packing personal belongings. |
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Empty and defrost your refrigerator and freezer and let them air out for at least 24 hours. Also clean and air out your stove. |
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Plan a simple breakfast for moving day to eliminate refrigeration or cooking. Use paper plates. |
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Get a good night's rest. |
Moving Day:
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Be available to answer mover's inquiries and be prepared to give directions or have someone there authorized to do so. |
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Accompany the Moving Solutions / Global representative while he prepares the inventory list of items to be moved, for your signature. |
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Make a last-minute check of your appliances to see that they have been disconnected. |
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Sign Global Interstate Bill of Lading and make sure is shows desired valuation, correct delivery address
as well as your contact address en route. Save copies of all shipping documents. |
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Final cost information can only be determined after your shipment has been weighed. If you have not arranged for
payment of charges in advance, and if your company is not paying for them, make certain that you have the needed cash,
money order or certified check to pay all charges before the van is unloaded at destination. |
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Provide the driver with your travel itinerary, phone contact at destination (if available) and delivery address. |
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Strip your beds but leave contour sheets on your mattresses. |
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Before leaving, check each room and closet. Make sure windows are closed. Turn off all electric lights.
Lock all doors. |
Moving In
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Upon arrival in your new city, call your Moving Solutions customer service representative promptly and furnish
your contact address and phone number so he can make arrangements for delivery of your shipment. |
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Be present during unloading ready to direct placement of your furniture. |
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Check the condition of your belongings. If any items are damaged or missing, note this on the inventory list and
report it to your Moving Solutions customer service representative so they can assist with the handling of details. |
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Cartons: You will need many cartons (boxes) in assorted sizes. They should be clean,
in good condition and must have covers so they can be closed and sealed with tape. Start collecting
them early from your local grocery store, drug store or department store. Liquor boxes are excellent;
they are sturdy and contain dividers making them ideal for packing glasses, goblets, vases, etc--but
make sure these boxes have lids. You can purchase cartons from your mover if you desire. Prices for
various sized cartons are fixed by tariffs and movers are not allowed to alter these prices or give
you cartons for free. Another point to remember: cartons can be handled easier if they do not exceed
50 lbs., fully packed.
Wrapping Paper: You will need plenty of wrapping paper. Many people save and use their old
newspapers, but keep in mind that items wrapped in newsprint will most likely be soiled from the ink
and will require cleaning after unpacking. Movers use unprinted newsprint. For items you prefer to
keep clean, you can purchase this packing paper from you mover. Kraft paper, tissue paper and
shock-resistant corrugated paper make excellent wrapping materials and may be purchased at most
major department stores, craft stores or your mover. These papers also make excellent cushioning
and lining material.
Sealing Tape: Heavy-duty gummed tape or cellophane tape at least 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide are
most suitable for packing.
Magic Markers: Felt pens are ideal for marking boxes with information such as its contents,
appropriate destination room, fragile or this side up.
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Start collecting boxes early. An easy way to store cartons so they do not take up storage
space is to open both ends and flatten them out. Cartons can be resealed with tape as you use them. |
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Pack on a room-by-room basis. Don't pack the living room articles with things from the
kitchen. This will eliminate confusion when its time to unpack. |
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Start packing early. Even if you only pack two boxes a day, in thirty days you will have
packed sixty boxes. Start in areas where the goods are not in frequent use such as the
cellar, attic, garage, closed shelves, etc. |
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Consider purchasing some specialized cartons for items such as mattresses, clothing, mirrors,
pictures and tall items such as table lamps. |
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Hanging clothing such as suits, dresses and coats can be easily achieved by utilizing mover's
wardrobe cartons. This will save you the trouble and expense of having your garments cleaned
and pressed later. You should not leave clothing in garment bags because they are not designed
to withstand moving stress. Clothing travels better in wardrobes with the garment bags folded
and placed in the bottom of the wardrobe carton. |
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Dresser drawers do not need to be empty; movers can handle chests with the drawer contents left
intact. Do look through all drawers and remove any breakable and/or valuable articles. Make sure
that drawer contents are not too heavy because too much weight can cause damage to the drawer
while en route. |
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What size boxes should you use? The rule of thumb is that small, heavy articles like books,
records and canned goods should be in smaller boxes. Bulkier but not-so-heavy articles such
as pots, pans, linens, and small kitchen appliances can go in somewhat larger boxes. Very
bulky, lightweight articles such as blankets, pillows, toys, large lampshades, and shoes go
in the largest boxes. |
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Avoid over packing cartons. Weight of small cartons should not exceed 40 lbs., medium cartons
50 lbs., and large cartons 60 lbs. |
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Do not pack any flammables, combustibles or explosives. The safety of the shipment is of
primary concern and it is also in violation of Federal regulations. Movers are not allowed to
transport aerosol spray cans, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, or anything else of a flammable
or explosive nature. |
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Wash your hands frequently to prevent soiling articles that are being packed. |
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Set up a work area, preferably on a large table. |
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Refrain from smoking while packing, for obvious reasons. |
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Make sure all cartons and packing materials are dry, clean and of sufficient strength to do the job. |
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Be sure cartons have lids and secure them with tape after closing. |
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Pack wisely to avoid shifting of contents en route: heavier items on the bottom, lighter items on top.
Keep weight of packed cartons under 50 lbs. |
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Don't pack soaps, polishes or medicines with foods. |
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Don't pack coins, currency, valuable papers, jewelry or other valuables. Carry them with you. |
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Don't pack matches, inflammables, ammunition, acid, explosives, paint or chemicals. |
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Don't pack irons, kitchenware or other heavy items in cartons with dishes. |
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Don't leave trays loose in refrigerator or stove. |
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Make sure all cartons are properly labeled with contents and destination location to
be unpacked (such as kitchen, bedroom, etc.). |
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Items of extraordinary value such as jewelry and coin collections should not go in the van. Take them with you!
Contact your moving company concerning packaging and special handling of fine paintings, sculpture, antiques
and similar delicate items. Ask your Global agent for details on these limitations and special handling instructions.
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Your kitchen table serves as an excellent spot for packing all your kitchen items. But to prevent scratching the
table, you should cover the surface with a blanket or thick pad.
Flatware:
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Place a sizeable stack of packing paper on the table. |
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Select a medium-sized carton and line the bottom with several layers of paper for cushioning. |
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Place one plate in the center of the paper. |
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Using at least two sheets, grasp one corner and pull the paper completely over the plate. |
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Stack the second plate on the first and stretch the second corner over this plate. |
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Place the third plate on the stack, fold the remaining two corners over (one at a time) and
fold each over the stack of plates. |
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Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing paper. |
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Re-wrap entire bundle with the same procedure described previously, then seal the bundle
with masking tape. |
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Place the bundle in the cartons so the plates are standing on edge. Never lay flatware down. Dishes
can tolerate greater stress standing on edge. |
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Follow the same procedure for all flatware, saucers, bread and butter dishes, etc. Remember: Heavy
items on the bottom, lighter objects on the top. |
Glassware:
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Glassware, goblets and stemware, especially fine crystal, should be handled with the utmost care
and wrapped individually. |
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Place a liberal stack of wrapping paper on the table. |
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Starting from the corner closest to you, roll the glass diagonally across the stack until
sufficiently covered and cushioned. Fold excess paper over glass and tape securely. |
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Line packing carton liberally with cushioning material to reduce vibration and assure a
safe ride. |
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Less expensive glasses and cups can be nested (one placed inside another) and three or
four wrapped in a bundle. Tear or cut some small sheets of paper and use at least a couple
pieces of paper between each glass/cup as a protective lining. |
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Take the first glass/cup and line it with a couple sheets of cut-up paper. |
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Place the second glass/cup inside the first one. Line with two more sheets of paper.
Insert next one. |
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Using your best judgment, nest three or four and lay them on your stack of wrapping paper in a
diagonal manner, off center, closer to your body. |
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Grasp two sheets at the corner closes to you and wrap around the glasses/cups. |
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Repeat the procedure with remaining corners of wrapping paper and roll into a bundle. |
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If you have collected liquor cartons with dividers, pack glasses, cups and stemware in these
or similar boxes. If your bundle does not fill to the top of the compartment, add additional
wadded-up paper to fill it to the top. |
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If you don't have liquor cartons, pack your glasses, cups, and stemware in boxes with other
dishes, fitting them in wherever you find spaces. Make sure these articles are toward the
top of your carton. |
Small Kitchen Appliances
Its best to place items such as blenders, toasters, can openers, coffee makers and other kitchen
appliances together in one or two boxes (more as necessary). This way, they will all be together
when unpacking. Wrap each appliance individually with two or three sheets of packing paper.
When all appliances have been packed, use wadded-up paper to fill in small spaces. If you have a
great amount of space left over, you can fill the carton with items such as pots and pans.
Pots and Pans
Approximately three pots or pans can be nested in side each other. Tear or cut pieces of packing paper
large enough to line two or three sheets in the entire interior of the largest pan. Repeat the process
and place pans upside down in the middle of your paper stack. Use at least three sheets of paper to
wrap the pans.
Start by grasping one corner of two or three sheets of paper, pulling over and covering the pans.
Pull the next three corners over one at a time, and then seal the bundle with tape. Pack in a
medium-sized carton.
Use the same procedure for large bowls.
More Kitchen Packing Tips
Boxed foods: (cereals or rice): Seal all open boxes with tape. There is no need to wrap them when packing.
Note: If your shipment is going into storage, do not pack boxed foods because they might attract rodents or insects.
Spices: Make sure all cans are closed and will not leak. When in doubt, seal with tape.
Canister sets: Contents may be left in canisters sealed with tape. Each canister should be individually
wrapped with packing paper.
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Refrigerators: Prior to moving day, refrigerators should be defrosted and the interiors thoroughly dried
to prevent mildew. Interior shelves and trays should be left inside only if wrapped and secured to prevent damage.
Freezers: Defrost and thoroughly dry freezers. All frozen foods must be removed prior to moving. The use of
moisture-absorbent crystals helps prevent mildew.
Television sets and stereo equipment: Most TVs and stereos can be moved without special servicing. However,
we recommend that you call your appliance service representative to determine whether service is required
prior to moving your particular television or stereo. The mover normally cannot perform such services. If
you have the original boxes for these items, use them to safely pack and move.
Washer and Dryer: Consult your appliance service company to determine whether your washer or dryer requires
service prior to moving. Gas dryers should be serviced and line capped by the Gas Company or a professional plumber.
Stoves: Both gas and electric stoves should be disconnected prior to the arrival of movers. Consult your Gas
Company or professional plumber regarding the servicing requirements of gas stoves.
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Miscellaneous: Prior to moving day, you should arrange to dismantle your TV antenna/satellite dish,
yard swing set, playhouse and other large items.
Packing Other Items:
Tall Table Lamps: The major problem in packing tall table lamps is acquiring cartons large enough
to accommodate them. If you cannot find such a carton, you can purchase dish pack cartons from your mover.
They are tall, extra-sturdy cartons designed especially for protecting fragile articles.
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Remove lampshade, bulb, and wrap cord around lamp base. |
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Line bottom of carton with liberal amount of wadded-up packing paper to insure extra
protection and cushioning. |
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Spread out several sheets of paper so that they extend longer and wider than the lamp.
Place lamp in the center of the paper. |
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Roll packing paper around lamp, tucking in the end of the paper at lamp base and seal with tape. |
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Seal seams with tape where paper overlaps, going around entire bundle. |
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Fold up remaining end (at top of lamp) and seal with tape. |
Should you have several tall table lamps, place them in the carton so that the base of one lamp is adjacent
to the top of the next lamp. Alternating in this way will help them fit better in the carton. When lamps are
packed, fill out the carton with a generous amount of wadded-up paper. For all items, mark FRAGILE and LAMPS
in large, legible letters on all sides of the carton.
Lamp Shades: Where possible, lampshades should be nested so that two or three can be packed in one
carton. Use clean packing paper--never newspapers-- as protective linings between each shade. Use the wire
rim of the shade to gently lower it into the box to avoid soiling shade fabric.
To more fully utilize some of the lost space in a lamp carton, place something soft such as hats, small
pillows, small blankets or bath towels inside the shades. Do not pack wadded-up paper around the shades
because this could crush them and cause damage. Be sure to make all sides of the carton in large, bold
letters: FRAGILE: LAMP SHADES
Packing Pictures: Small pictures can be wrapped and placed on edge in normal packing boxes with
other goods. Extremely large pictures such as the type commonly found over a sofa or mantle (24 x 36 or larger)
should be packed by your mover in a specially designed carton made expressly for pictures and mirrors. Some
pictures that are just a little too large to fit in regular cartons (16 x 20 or 18 x 24) can be protected in
a self-devised picture carton.
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Select a carton that when open at both ends is larger than your picture. |
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Open bottom of carton and flatten out. Seal one of the open sides with tape. |
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Lay pictures face down on several sheets of packing pager, which you spread out so it measures
twice as wide as the picture. |
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Wrap the picture in much the same manner as you might a gift box and seal with tape. Turn the
picture over and seal across where packing paper overlaps. |
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Slide picture into unsealed side of carton and securely seal the open end with tape. |
Hat and shoeboxes: Small boxes of this type should be consolidated and packed into larger
boxes, filling in all spaces with wadded-up paper.
Toys: Most toys do not have to be wrapped in packing paper; just place them in large
cartons and seal.
Loose shoes: Same as toys.
Books: Pack back-to-back on edge in small cartons. Use paper between nicely bound books
to prevent rubbing.
Artificial flowers: Wrap generously and pack separately in well-cushioned carton.
Medicines: Tape all caps securely. Do not pack with food items. Remember to carry
all-important medications with you.
Plants: If you can, give your live plants to a friend rather than move them. If you
must move a special plant, do not pack them in the van; take them with you. Some states have
rules prohibiting the transport of certain plants across state lines, so be sure you know
before you go. For more information on moving your plants, call your local florist or nursery.
Tools: Brooms, rakes and other tools should be bundled tightly together. Hand tools
should remain in a toolbox or wrapped individually and placed in a well-cushioned carton.
Clothing: Wardrobe cartons that are specially designed to provide clean, wrinkle-free
movement of clothing can be purchased from your mover. Suitcases and cartons lined with clean
paper may also be used.
Drapes/Curtains: Fold lengthwise and secure to padded hanger in clothing wardrobe or
pack carefully in cartons lined with clean paper.
Mattresses: Specially designed mattress cartons or bags can be purchased from your
mover to protect mattresses from snagging, soiling or chafing while loading and en route.
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Charges for transportation are determined by the actual net weight of your shipment and mileage.
The van is weighed on a certified scale before your household goods are loaded. This is called
the tare weight. Once your belongings are loaded, the van is again weighed. This is called the
gross weight. The difference between the gross weight and tare weight is called the net weight.
The official mileage is determined from a published standard mileage guide.
When the movers perform preliminary packing in your home, additional charges for such services
are computed based on the number of cartons packed. Professional packers, using modern packing
techniques, minimize packing expense. Our sales staff at Moving Solutions will be pleased to
make a Pre-Move Survey,without obligation to inform you about our procedures and average transit
schedules. Show the sales representative everything you intend to move--whether it's in the
basement, attic or garage. He must see everything to give you a true picture of the requirements
of your move.
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