Moving Planner

 Start planning early, and you'll be happy to see how smoothly things can go. The following checklist is designed to help you plan.

Do-It-Yourself- Packing Tips from the Professionals

• Beginning well before your load date, pack one room at a time.
  
• Mark all boxes with room and box number and make a list showing the number of boxes packed per room, as well as the total number packed.
  
• Do not seal boxes in which you have packed items of high value, since the contents must be verified by your driver at time of loading.
  
• Keep the weight of each box under 50 pounds. This will help you in packing and unpacking if boxes need to be moved around. It will also facilitate quicker loading and unloading of your moving van.

Packing can be a tedious, time-consuming chore that takes skill and the right materials to prepare household articles for your move.

We strongly recommend that Right Choice Moving crate or pack and prepare these items for shipment:
Marble and glass table tops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" x 60" or longer, pool table slates, bulky fragile items like large trophies, statuary, chandeliers, antiques and other items that require crating.

Some things should stay with you as you move, such as:
Cash, securities, jewelry and furs, firearms (consult local laws), personal papers and documents (like birth certificates, insurance policies and deeds), prescriptions, coin and stamp collections, special family photographs and videos, moving-related documents.

Wrap fragile articles the way professionals do Use two layers of unprinted newspaper per glass, dish, figurine, etc. Wrap firmly, but leave a little bit of space, to provide a cushioning effect.

Don't overcrowd boxes; the top of the box should close with slight pressure.

Don't leave empty spaces on the top of the boxes. Pack boxes fully, and fill any empty space with wadded packing paper or other padding.

Pack glasses standing on end, upside down, and not on their sides. Stack dishes on edge, and fill empty spaces with wadded unprinted newspaper. Before packing the dish pack box, layer the bottom of the carton with crumpled unprinted newspaper.

Pack lampshades, mirrors, pictures, etc., in special cartons designed for them.

Tape boxes across tops and edges. Seal every opening tightly. (See Types of Boxes, Tools & Materials You'll Need below.)

Pack your belongings room by room to make unpacking easier. Label each box with your name, the room the box goes to, and a brief description of the contents. Mark items you'll need right away once you move with "Unpack First," and mark only truly fragile items with "Fragile."

Professionals pack boxes so that articles cushion each other.. Don't combine incompatible items (like books with glasses). Pack clothing in special wardrobe containers, so that your clothes will hang straight and stay clean and virtually wrinkle-free.

Don't pack paints, turpentine, pressurized cans, corrosive items like bleach or any flammable liquid. The law forbids movers to carry flammables. Properly dispose of or give away anything that could cause a fire or damage.

When packing a personal computer, we strongly recommend that you use the computer's original carton and packing materials. If they're not available, use a box that is both strong and big enough to hold the computer, and pack it with unprinted newspaper. Your local computer dealer can answer any other questions. Specific to your computer.

Indicate your name pickup state, and delivery state on box. You can print 'FRAGILE' on the box.

Other Important Information:

Tools & Materials You'll Need:

• unprinted newspaper and tissue paper (newspaper ink can soil and even damage some items)
  
• 2" plastic tape (to assemble and close cartons)
  
• utility knife
  
• scissors
  
• permanent markers
  
• moving boxes
  
• labels
  
• bubble wrap

Types of Boxes:

• 1.5 to 2.0 cubic feet. Book box - Use for heavy or dense items including books, records, CDs, videos, canned goods, kitchen canisters, small appliances and hand or power tools.
  
• 3 cu. ft. General-purpose boxes. Good for toys, lampshades, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, etc.
  
• 4.5 and 6 cu. ft. - For large, lightweight items such as pillows, bedding and toys. Do not overload.
  
• Wardrobe boxes-Equipped with a bar for hanging clothes, curtains and draperies. The bottom is not designed to support weight; do not pack other items in the bottom of these cartons.
  
• Dish packs-Specially designed with available cell dividers for transporting dishes, glasses, bowls and other kitchenware. Also good for lamps, small pictures, knick-knacks and light appliances.
  
• Mirror boxes- Available in telescoping, large and small sizes. Provide extra protection for mirrors, large pictures, and glass tabletops.
  
• Mattress boxes - Available in crib, twin, standard, double and queen/king sizes.

Before your move try to obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving, because some products may soften the wood, and make it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads. Unplug all television sets a few hours in advance of the move, so that they will be at room temperature when the movers arrives. Moving a TV set in which heat is still retained can cause internal damage.

Pets

• Obtain health records from veterinarian.

• Check destination state and local government requirements for Health Certificate, pet ordinances, "leash laws", and licensing requirements.
  
• Transporting pets by car is often less stressful for the animal and less expensive for the owner. Taking short car trips before the move may help your pet to adjust.
  
• Obtain your veterinarian's advice regarding medications that may assist your pet while traveling.
  
• Plan ahead for motels that accept pets. Don't give your pet food or water for several hours before departure.
  
• Once on the road, stop frequently for water and exercise, and feed once per day.
  
• If you are not able to make proper arrangements for moving your pet our representative can suggest a professional pet moving service.

Delivery Day

• Be available to check off items on the inventory as they are removed from the van.

How do you pack specific items?

	Plates and Flat China Begin with the larger items. Smaller items can go toward the top. Wrap each piece individually with several pieces of newsprint. Next, wrap three to five previously wrapped plates together and stand each bundle on its edge. Never lay plates flat. Add 3-4 inches of crumpled paper and a cardboard divider before creating a second level.
	Glassware and Crystal Always individually wrap each glass and never put one piece inside another. Place on the very top level of your carton and pack rim down. Especially fragile items should be packed in a separate carton and then packed in a larger carton surrounded by cushioning.
	Bowls Wrap individually and then nest two to three together and wrap as an entire package. Place on end or flat. Use crumpled paper and a cardboard divider before adding layers.
	Lamps Remove shade, bulb and harp assembly. Double wrap the bulb and harp assembly. Wrap the base and cushion it in a dish pack or similar type box. For lampshades, select the carton size close to the shade measurements. Pack only one shade per container. Don't use crumpled newsprint inside or around the outside of the shade. Glass lampshades and chandeliers should be professionally packed in sturdy crates.
	Food Of course, never pack perishable items, aerosol kitchen products or frozen food. Box dry foods in medium-sized cartons after taping any openings or tops closed. Jars should be also taped shut and wrapped as well as cushioned. Pack cans and jars in smaller cartons.
	Clothing Clothing can be left in sturdy dressers or packed in suitcases, if desired. Other foldable clothing should be packed in medium-sized cartons. Hanging clothing should be packed in wardrobe cartons available from your 1st Choice Moving & Storage representative. If wardrobe cartons are not used, be sure to remove hangers and pack in lined cartons. Hats should be left in their boxes and packed in moving cartons. Small boxes loosely filled with newsprint also help protect hats.
	Mirrors, Glass Table Tops, Pictures, Paintings, etc. We recommend purchasing special boxes for all but the smallest items in this category. Mirror and picture cartons can handle most items. Only one article should be packed in each carton. You will want to consider professional crating assistance for oversized or heavy items such as table tops.
	Glasses and Cups Wrap individually. Cups with handles should be cushioned with another layer of paper. Pack with rims down. Cushion and layer with crumpled paper.
	Books Pack in smaller boxes with open edges alternating with the bindings. Hardcover books, or those with fragile covers should be wrapped for protection.
	Draperies and Curtains Wardrobe cartons are excellent for hanging curtains and drapes. You can also fold them and pack in boxes that have been lined with clean newsprint.
	Bedding Mattresses must be covered to protect them from soil and damage. Appropriate sized cartons are recommended and available from your 1st Choice representative.
	Small Appliances Clocks, radios and other small appliances should be individually wrapped and packed along with linens and towels or surrounded with crushed paper for protection.
	Flowers and Plants Live plants and potted flowers will likely not survive a long distance move. Check with your 1st Choice representative for specific rules regarding these items. Artificial flower arrangements should be carefully wrapped and packed in individual cartons. If possible, secure the arrangement to the bottom of the box. Cushion and label appropriately.
	Electronics and Clocks Original manufacturers packaging with Styrofoam inserts provides the best protection for moving electronic goods. If these are not available, large or medium cartons should be used and the item well wrapped and cushioned. Larger home electronics such as consoles and large screen TVs should not be packed and will be moved as furniture. Computers and grandfather clocks require special pre-move preparation. Consult with your 1st Choice representative or a local dealer to determine what is required for moving these items.
	Washing Machines Washing machines should have all hoses disconnected and put into containers. If you place hoses in the tub or drum, be sure to wrap the metal couplings with cloth or paper to avoid damage to the tub's surface. Unplug the electric cord and tape to the back. Secure the washer drum with materials available from your 1st Choice representative.
	Major Appliances Many appliances require special servicing, disconnecting and preparation. Upon request, your 1st Choice representative will arrange third party services to prepare these items for your move. For many items, however, you may be able to perform most of the requirements yourself.
	Refrigerators Refrigerators should be emptied of all food. Shelves should be secured in place or detached and wrapped. The electric cord should be unplugged and taped to the back. If there is an icemaker, it should be disconnected from the water line and drained in advance.
	Tools Any power tools containing gasoline or oil should be drained before moving. Long handled tools can be bundled. Hand tools should be wrapped and packed