Voice Of The Professional: Doing Your Own Packing

Packed Just Like My Own

"I like to pack like I'm packing my own things," is professional packer Thela Fitzgerald's first thought about the art of packing household goods for a residential move - whether it's a long distance household goods move or a local move. Thela has been packing other peoples' belongings since 1984 and has put together many moving tips to help smooth the packing process. "The best part of my job is meeting new people," she says. She likes to walk through the house with the customer, after making introductions, to get a full picture of what needs to be packed.

Doing Your Own Packing

If you do some or all of your own packing, Shol has some tried and true packing advice to keep in mind while doing your own packing. Using a packing move checklist can streamline the process for you.

Pack For Convenience And Protection

Make sure that fragile items are securely wrapped. Get plenty of packing supplies, especially newspaper and tape. Wrap all glass, right down to spice bottles. Pack dishes, record albums and CD's on end in the moving cartons.

Label moving cartons on the side, not just the top, to make it easier for the crew at destination to place them conveniently in the appropriate rooms.

Check with your residential moving specialist or your move coordinator about what is not recommended or allowed in shipping.

Don't Overpack Or Underpack Your Moving Cartons

Match the item with the carton. Put heavy items like books, CD's and files in small cartons. Use large cartons for light, bulky items like lampshades and pillows.

More Hints

"Pack for density," are Fitzgerald's watchwords. Fill cartons to the top and try to pack as evenly as possible. Remember that the movers will be stacking cartons and furniture inside the moving truck. An underpacked carton doesn't have the strength of a filled carton and may tend to compress during shipment.

Unless you have the original packing materials (Styrofoam forms, etc.) for electronics, don't plan to pack things like televisions, stereos and computer equipment in the original cartons.

Ask Questions

The residential moving specialist, packers, loaders, van operator, and customer service people are all there to help you. Moving is a complex, multi-faceted process. The more you know, the more smoothly your move will go for everyone involved.

First Things First

Barrett Chairman Bob Eidsvold, a lifelong relocation veteran, says, "Pack a 'first things first' box. My morning coffee is crucial, so I would make sure the coffeemaker and all the fixings are handy. Everyone has certain things that essential to them the first thing on arrival." And speaking of that, Shol adds, "Moving days can be very hard on the children. The security of having a favorite toy kept available can make all the difference."

Getting Ready For The Professional Packers

Once you've finished your own packing, she has these suggestions to get ready for the professional packers from your moving company.

• Make arrangements for your children and pets, so that they can be assured of an easier moving day.
• Make sure the telephone stays connected until after the loading by the moving company is completed.
• Don't plan to depart for your new destination on the day of packing or loading, or if you must, make arrangements for someone else to be available to answer the inevitable questions and to make the many decisions that will come up.
• Feel free to come and go during the day, if needed, but if you can schedule major appointments for another day, it's best.
• Set aside a quiet corner for yourself, so that you can conduct any confidential business or personal conversations out of earshot.
• Make sure any important documents you might need are set aside and available to you. Tax returns, house closing papers, birth certificates, immunization certificates, car title and registration, plane tickets, addresses and telephone numbers, medicines and extra check blanks are some of the many items you may need before the shipment is unloaded.

One Last Suggestion

Before moving, put the clean sheets and towels you'll want for the first night in your new home in a handy dresser drawer. That way, if you're too tired to do any unpacking, you can still have a good night's rest.