Whether you are packing yourself or having us pack, we have some helpful instructions for preparing and packing your household items.

Please remember, we are not qualified or insured to help disconnect or connect natural gas or liquid propane appliances and water lines.

Preparation and packing prior to move day:

• Start packing now! It often takes longer than you think.
• Box as many things as possible. Items are better protected, easier to lift and stack. (Order boxes)
• Try to put heavier items in smaller boxes. Do not over or under pack boxes; if you over pack the box may split, under packing boxes may result in the top of the box denting or caving in, making it difficult to stack during transport.
• Use plenty of packing materials – packing paper, bubble wrap, shrink wrap. Be sure to place a generous layer of materials at the bottom of the box containing fragile items.
• This is a great opportunity to clean house and get rid of the items you don’t need or use, no sense in moving or storing those items.
• Remove bed linens and disassemble beds if possible.
• Unplug all electronic devices and disconnect water & gas lines to appliances. Dump grill pans.
• Label boxes with not only contents, but the name of the ROOM in which they should be placed. Indicate “FRAGILE” or “THIS END UP” where appropriate.

Moving Day:

• BE there on your move day. We’re much more efficient when you can tell us where you want things placed when we bring them into your new home.
• Clear the way both inside and out. Pathways should be as wide as possible and clear of debris, ice, etc.
• Prioritize the items most important for us to move if you are on a tight budget or time frame. (i.e. large or heavy pieces first, appliances, etc.)
• Items of personal importance or sentimental value: Important medicine, cash, wills, family photographs, furs, stamp or coin collections, valuable jewelry. We recommend these types of items stay with you during your move.

Freezers:
Freezers should be completely defrosted one or two days prior to moving. They should be completely emptied, dried and aired to avoid a musty odor. Check with the manufacturer’s service representative to be sure the motor is bolted, if necessary.

Refrigerators:
Prior to moving, turn off the water and disconnect the water line if you have a cold water dispenser or automatic ice maker. The water reservoir should also be emptied. Empty your refrigerator, and check with the manufacturer’s service representative to be sure the motor compressor or motor is bolted, if necessary.

Stoves:
Stoves must be disconnected prior to pickup. Be sure gas lines are shut off tight and capped by a qualified technician. For electric ranges, if the coils are loose, they must be removed together with griddles, deep fryers and removable parts, then packed separately.

Microwave Oven:
Any glass trays should be removed, wrapped, and securely packed in a box. If your microwave is large, it will be pad-wrapped on moving day.

Washing Machine:
Clean and dry thoroughly. Disconnect and drain hoses. Wrap metal connector ends of hoses in a towel and place inside washer.

Gas Clothes Dryer:
Have a qualified technician disconnect and cap off the gas line.

Mirrors and Glass or Mirror Tops to Furniture:
Need to be removed and safely padded.

Glassware:
Stemware and glassware should be wrapped individually and placed in a box or dishpack. Do not nest unwrapped glasses in each other. Place wrapped glassware right side up, not on their sides.

Grandfather clocks:
Remove chimes, secure weight chains tightly against the base of the clock with wire or strong string and remove weights and pendulums.

Kitchen Utensils:
Utensils should be clean and placed in boxes. Durable, heavy pieces placed on the bottom, light ones on the top with each piece padded against dents, chipping, or scratching. Toasters, irons, mixers, etc., may be wrapped individually and placed in boxes with other kitchen utensils.

Lamps/Lampshades:
Remove bulbs and ornamental tops and put in a safe place, one you will remember. Small lamps may be wrapped and placed in boxes for safe moving. They may be nested but do not pack them so as to tear lining or puncture parchment shades.

Mattresses:
You may protect them with a sheet or mattress pad. We will use moving pads in transit, or if it’s going to storage we recommend mattress covers.

Dressers:
We will move dressers with the drawers intact. However, if it appears quite heavy or needs to be maneuvered around corners, we will take the drawers out.

Medicine:
Take any in your possession you may need. Wrap individually, placing them upright in small containers.

Paintings and Pictures:
Small pictures can be safely placed between the folds of blankets or pillows in drawers or boxes. Large and valuable items must be padded or possibly crated.

Mowers and Gasoline Powered Tools:
Gas tanks must be drained and oil reserves emptied. No flammable mixtures or articles may be transported. (See non-transportable items)

Piano:
Upright (spinet, console and studio) pianos usually do not require preparation in advance. All pianos are pad-wrapped to protect the surface. Grand or Baby Grand pianos we are capable of moving, but for safety and insurance purposes we require 5 movers for these types of pianos. A qualified service provider could also take care of the preparations for moving a grand piano.

Pool Table or Tanning Bed:
Disassembly and crating of your pool table or tanning bed needs to be provided by a third-party service.

Hot Tubs or Spas:
For safety and insurance purposes, we require a minimum of five movers for these items. Please have your pump and filters drained by a third-party service.

Gym Equipment:
We recommend a third-party service disassemble any specialized gym equipment.

Non-transportable and Non-stored Items

Hazardous Materials:

• Aerosols
• Ammonia
• Ammunition
• Car Batteries
• Charcoal and Charcoal Lighter Fluid
• Chemistry Sets
• Cleaning Solvents
• Fertilizer
• Fireworks
• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Lamp Oil
• Liquid Bleach
• Liquid Propane Tanks (Gas for Grills)
• Matches
• Motor Oil
• Nail Polish Remover
• Paint Thinner
• Paints
• Pesticides
• Poisons
• Pool chemicals
• Un-emptied mowers and gasoline powered tools
• Weed killer

Perishables:
Plants, food, or living things that may die or spoil in transit.

If you are not sure a third-party service is needed for some of the items mentioned above, or do not know of one, we can help. Please contact our office at 319-393-3000.