Packing Tips...

Below are some useful packing tips that may help you if you decide to carry out your own packing.  If you require any further information please don't hesitate to call us.   Of course you could make your life a lot easier and allow us to pack your belongings for you.  For more information click here.

BASICS.

Proper Packing is the most important thing that you can do to save time, money, and aggravation! Basically, use common sense when packing.  Pack heavier things like books into smaller boxes, and pack lighter things in progressively larger boxes. Never make a box heavier than the lady of the house can handle, since she may be the one who ends up moving it around before or after the move.

Thoroughly wrap fragile items individually with paper, bubble wrap or foam wrap depending on the item (newspaper print residue must be hand washed off of all things it touches, dishwasher washing will not take it off).  Special care must be taken with small items so as not to lose them in the packing materials.  Taping over the wrapping is a good technique to highlight a small item as not being merely a bunched up piece of paper. Glassware and china should be wrapped so as not to clatter within the box. Use plenty of paper to line the top, bottom and side of each box. 

All staples in boxes should be removed so as to safeguard surfaces such as wood floors, counter tops, and furniture where cartons may be stacked prior to pickup and after delivery. Do not interlock box flaps together - always tape bottoms and tops with at least three strips of tape and at least halfway up or down the sides of the box for strength. Remember that taping reinforces the strength of the box, and yet can be easily cut with a blade later when unpacking.

Mark the top and sides of all cartons on the tape with contents and destination location (such as bedroom, kitchen, or basement). This will make identifying where things are easy when they are stacked on top of each other. If the box is reused, then using fresh tape over marked taped easily eliminates old markings.

PLAN AHEAD.

Don't save all your packing for the last day. Begin packing items not needed well in advance. Packing gets more and more tiresome over a period of time, so it is good to jump start the packing chore as much as possible. Disassemble items that need to be taken apart and carefully save any hardware involved (see below). Sometimes lost hardware is virtually impossible to replace, so be very careful where you save it.  

REMEMBER !

• Don't pack your checkbook, passport, visas or airline tickets!.  If you are putting your goods in storage, don't pack important papers like passports, driver's licenses, birth certificates, etc.

• If you are not on the ground floor or may have access problems, please advise us well in advance. Advise us of potential problems, and special needs such as clothing wardrobes, extra cartons, last minute packing, etc.

• Hazards should be noted ahead of time. You should advise your mover of damaged or fragile furniture, weak or broken stairs, or impediments which may affect the move.

• Any potential hazards should be noted ahead of time. You should advise your mover of damaged or fragile furniture, weak or broken stairs, or impediments which may affect the move.

• Parking near your residence should be easily accessible for your mover. Do whatever you can to reserve parking for your mover.  Remember the moving van cannot block the street. Also, if the movers have to walk half a block with your furniture the move will take longer and cost you more.

• If you are not on the ground floor or may have access problems, please advise us well in advance. Advise us of potential problems, and special needs such as clothing wardrobes, extra cartons, last minute packing, etc.

• Stack all cartons neatly against a wall, and create clear, unobstructed paths to prevent the possibility of tripping. When possible disassemble beds, remove mirrors from dressers or walls. Shire Removals will do this for you if required, but if you do them you will save time. Remember that saving time says you money.

BOOKS.

Books and records are deceptively heavy, we will supply smaller cartons for these items, If you do run out of smaller cartons. Use larger ones, but only part fill them with the heavy items placed on the bottom, then fill the box with lighter items.

Drawers in chests can be left filled with linen and clothes, but ensure that heavy, fragile or valuable items are emptied. Drawers in divan beds, should also be emptied. Plastic bags can be provided for linen and clothes.

CLOTHES.

Wardrobe cartons are provided on the removal day for the contents of wardrobes. Please make sure all hangers are the same way round as this makes transferring them onto the rails much easier. All other small effects in wardrobes should be packed into boxes.

Lampshades should be dismantled and packed separately.  Lamps and lamp shades should each be placed in separate boxes. If two lamp shades are put together a piece of plain paper should be put between them so that they can be easily pulled apart. Do not use newspaper with print or it will permanently mark the shades. Leave normal light bulbs but, at £10-£15 each, only a philanthropist would leave the long life low energy bulbs. Table lamps should be dismantled also, and packed as though they were china.

PICTURES.

Oil pictures should be covered over with a non acidic clear wrap and then bubble wrapped or wrapped in blankets, and then placed in a picture box or a flattened out box with the ends taped. Pictures in glass frames or mirrors should be wrapped in blankets and packed in picture cartons or flattened out cartons. 

HI FI VIDEOS ETC.

Electronic equipment should be padded and boxed so that knobs are not broken off and the finish is not scratched.  Keep all power leads and cables with the respective piece of equipment.

Pack 5 or 6 smaller plants into a carton with some packing material between the pots so they won't fall over, seal the box with the flaps up to give extra protection. Leave larger plants for us to deal with. Whilst we will take every care of your plants they are not covered by insurance. In winter on longer journeys frost can be a problem for the more delicate plants. Garden plants/shrubs can be taken but make sure the roots are well bagged up to avoid loose soil in the back of the van.

CHINA AND GLASS.

These items require good packing. Screw up several sheets of newspaper, and layer the bottom of the box, completely covering the base. Wrap all fragile items in white paper, and place them in the box. When you have covered the layer of paper with them, screw up more newspaper, and repeat the process, until the carton is full.  Glasses should also be individually wrapped and packed standing up; they're stronger when standing than if laid on their side.  Plates should be individually wrapped and then stood on their side in the box- NEVER lay them flat; all the weight would be on the bottom plate, and if the box is set down too strongly the bottom plate could break.  You can also use soft items such as cushions for extra padding. In addition, clearly mark all cartons that contain fragile items.

Ensure to mark all boxes with the location you require them at your new address. Cartons we supply are reusable, so a good tip is to write the destination of the carton on the packing tape used to seal the box. You can use a Biro or suitable marker pen for this, or if you prefer, sticky labels. Note. Be sure to seal as many cartons as possible, and completely fill the boxes. As they will have to be stacked in the lorry. You can use cushions and other soft objects to fill boxes, this will also help protect the contents.

FRIDGE'S AND FREEZERS.

Should be emptied and defrosted. Contents may be left in freezers provided they are bagged and the journey is short. The bags will be taken out immediately prior to it being moved to be replaced when the freezer is in position in the van. Whilst freezers can be plugged in overnight at our depot the contents are not covered by our insurance.

Should be cleaned thoroughly as grease can lead to a nasty accident. Gas cookers generally have a bayonet fitting. Check though in case a plumber is needed. Also Pack the glass plate out of the microwave and any loose fittings off the cooker.

Should be disconnected and contents emptied. A drum locking bar should be fitted to automatic machines. Whilst we move thousands of machines without locking bars and have no problems, it should be noted, that fitting the bar is part of the manufacturers warranty.

Dismantling should only be carried out where absolutely necessary. The old style wardrobes divide in the middle, so all the pieces which cross the joint will have to be removed. Modern wardrobes dismantle into panels, great care must be taken with the sections as chipboard is very easily damaged. Start by removing the back, then if possible lay the wardrobe on its back. Tape any fittings to the relevant sections. Ensure too, that chipboard wardrobes are sturdy enough to be moved.

Garden tools should be cleaned as they will be going in the same van as your furniture. Use packing tape bound tightly around them to make neat bundles. Note, we normally load these last to keep them as far away from your household items as possible.

These will have to be dismantled. Squirt penetrating oil (WD 40) into the nuts a few days before you intend dismantling them, this should make dismantling easier.

Sheds and greenhouses should be dismantled in advance. Wrap the glass into manageable bundles using tape or string. Bundle the remaining frame also.

FINALLY.

When all is done, take the time to carry out a walk round.  Do a walk through of each room after the truck has been loaded with it's contents. Double check all cabinets, drawers, basement, garage, or storage lockers. Look at all inside or outside places where things been left sitting (including windowsills). Remember your ladders, hoses, and toolboxes. Be absolutely certain that everything has been loaded onto the truck before releasing the moving crew to your new location.