Packing and Moving House Helpful Hints!

We'll be moving house in the next couple of weeks - yep, we found a place! God opened doors and we got a nice place and they accepted our puppies, too!  Woo Hoo! Bonus! Double Bonus - it has a rainwater tank which is so important here in Queensland with the drought and the house is insulated - another plus and we got a long lease - 28 months!  Move date is Saturday 10 October 2009.

No, we won't be using minimovers for this move, but they offer some great moving and packing advice which I have made reference to, so I thought I would post it on my blog - you never know who might need it!



PACKING HELPFUL HINTS - www.minimovers.com.au

1. Packing. Almost everyone underestimates the packing time needed to pack small items. If packing yourself, start well before the moving date and check our hints on packing your small items section . You can also view our video, Packing and Moving Made Easy. Our packing hints are designed to help you pack properly. Unfortunately our written guarantee of care does not cover items that you have packed yourself. If you are concerned by this, and want your small items covered, then call us and we can send a professional MiniMovers packer, who will pack whatever you need.
2. Items to empty. Wardrobes and desk drawers must be emptied. Chests of drawers need to have breakable, loose, and heavy items removed. Light clothing may remain. Never tape drawers shut. As a rule, furniture with doors must be emptied. Gas bottles and equipment such as lawnmowers must be empty before we carry them.
3. Pack in good boxes. Lots of small open boxes (that cannot be stacked) take a lot longer to move than goods packed in the right sizes boxes. On the other hand, using boxes so large that they become overweight can dramatically slow down the moving process. Using proper removal boxes will not only help ensure a safe no damage move, but it also speeds up your move. 
4. Reduce the number of items. Moving your small items yourself will reduce MiniMovers moving time. However, doing many trips in a car will end up costing you more than it would to have us move it, especially if you loaded the small items while the MiniMovers crew loaded the larger items. The number of items can also be reduced by tying loose items such as brooms and mops in bundles. Leave drawers in dressers.
   
5. Reduce the distance. Every trip to the truck takes time. If you have packed your small items, try and have them near where the truck will park. Blocking entrances means we waste time when we arrive. Clear access ensures quick moving. Keeping small children and pets away during the move also helps. 
6. Dismantling. Dismantle beds, mirrors from dressers, and other furniture items (those which had to be assembled when purchased) before your MiniMovers crew arrives. Losing small items, especially keys, is common when moving and is very frustrating. Keep all screws and bolts in bags, and remember where you put them. Put the hose off the washing machine inside the machine.
7. Fridges/Freezers. Do not defrost less than one week before moving. Water in the trays causes problems. On your moving day, near the end of loading, we will indicate when the fridge should be emptied. We will then load the fridge last, and unload it first. This minimises the time your goods are out of refrigeration.
8. Very heavy items. Leave heavy items (such as pianos, pool tables, large safes, etc) to the experts, MiniMovers. When booking, please let us know about these items.
9. Flat glass items. This includes plate glass, paintings, prints, table tops, and wall unit shelves. Simply leave them bare for us to handle. Never pack plate glass or glass front paintings in boxes. 
10. Pot plants. Do not water them for a few days prior to the move.
11. Water beds. If possible, siphon out. There is an easy way to do this - check with us. If your bed has baffles, carefully fold the mattress or leave it to us. If the bed has a timber frame, you may only need to loosen the screws to disassemble.

Packing Hints
 
With the MiniMovers system, packing the small items yourself is entirely your option. Packing is time-consuming, and items packed by you are unfortunately not covered by the MiniMovers written guarantee of care. If you are concerned by this, and want your small items covered, then please call us   and we can arrange a professional MiniMovers packer.
 
MiniMovers Professional Packing Service

MiniMovers has a professional packing service available to everyone, whether you move with us or not. See our Packing Service   page for more information.
Keep the following things in mind when packing:
 
Packing your small items into boxes specifically designed for moving will substantially shorten your moving time, therefore reducing your moving cost. MiniMovers   has a full range of packing materials, and can deliver the materials to your door, if you are in our free delivery area . Our strong packing materials are designed to both protect your goods and ensure an efficient move. The boxes are strong and are easily stackable. A full list of our packing materials is available on our Packing Materials Price List . Also, ask about our 30-minute video Packing Moving Made Easy, which is free when returned. We also buy back our boxes and unused packing materials after you have unpacked.
 
Quick Hints for Packing:
 

• The most common packing mistake is to underestimate the packing task. It is time consuming and should be started well before the moving date and completed at least a day before your move.
• Unbreakables, especially lighter items, are quite safe in heavy-duty garbage bags, which means substantial savings.
• Use bubble wrap on large vases, bowls, etc.
• Put small items (keys etc) into bags and attach to the item. Tape cords to their appliances.

How to Pack the Perfect Box

When packing yourself, understanding some of the basics the professionals use will help. When our professional MiniMovers packers go to packing school, they are taught to pack a box so that nothing is broken when the box is dropped from a height of 2.4 metres. Certainly, you dont need to achieve this standard, however, if you value your small breakables, you will want to pack properly.

• Try to use proper removal boxes. It will make your task easier, your items will be safer, and your move will be completed more quickly.
• Cross tape the bottom of the box with good quality tape.
• Plan what you are putting in each box. Keep breakables to the minimum number of boxes.
• Place a good layer of screwed-up newspaper across the bottom of the box, and up the sides as high as the first row of items. Using newspaper will save you $$$.
• Form a layer of the heaviest items, individually wrapped in PLAIN PAPER. Never let newspaper touch your goods as the ink rubs off. Make sure they fit snugly together so there will be no movement.
• On top of this layer of wrapped items, place another layer of crushed newspaper, and again up the sides.
• Continue layering the items wrapped in plain paper between layers of crushed newspaper, working up from the heavier items at the bottom, to the lighter, finer items on the top.
• Finish flush to the top of the box with a final layer of crushed newspaper. All items should fit tightly to ensure there is no movement.
• Close and tape the box, marking clearly its contents and the room its going to. Eg. Glassware Dining Room.
• Don't overload or overflow boxes. Dont pack big boxes with books or heavy items they will take longer to move. 

Happy moving everyone!