Moving Tips

Moving Advice

  • It is important to book your moving services well ahead to secure your ideal moving date.
  • Important documents and possessions, such as wills, deeds, jewelry, photographs and home videos are impossible to replace. It's wise to consider moving these and other important belongings to a safety deposit box while you move.
  • Remember to contact your local post office and fill-out forwarding address forms. Additionally, leaving a small welcome card with your forwarding address for the people moving into your old home is a nice way of asking for any additional pieces of your mail to be redirected.
  • Do not have your phone disconnected until after loading day.
  • DON'T polish your furniture! This makes the furniture slippery for the movers or yourself, also when we wrap pads around the furniture it can leave marks on the furniture where the pad was placed, do to buildup of cleaning residue!
  • Reserve ample parking for the truck. If parking is to be on a city street, it is your obligation to tell the movers of any meters that need to be capped by the city. In the winter, be sure to have the parking area and walkways clear of snow and ice.
  • Prepare an "Unload First" carton with essentials that you'll need immediately at your new home (Essential Items). Include a bag filled with hardware from disassembled items, such as dresser mirrors and beds.
  • Try to keep boxes to 50 pounds or less and always lift with your legs. Tape the bottom of all boxes to make certain they will hold your belongings.
  • Pack books flat, not standing on end (which may cause damage to the spines). Books are extremely heavy, so don't pack too many in one box.
  • Items that can't be moved with us include: flammable items, combustible items, aerosol cans, hazardous materials (Items that are flammable, corrosive or explosive)

Moving Pet

  • As you prepare for your move, you should plan on preliminary preparation for your pet so they too can be well prepared. There are many things you can to do make the move less stressful for your pet. This guide will help make your pet's transition into a new home much easier.

Get the Facts

  • Once you've made the decision to move to a new home, you will need to do some research. Certain localities may have stringent requirements or restrictions regarding pet ownership. You may need permits or registrations.
  • Don't forget to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your pet should have a check-up before moving. Be sure to attain your pet's veterinary records so that they can be forwarded to your new veterinarian

A Short Move

  • For local moves, it probably makes the most sense to transport your pet in the car with you on moving day.
  • Remember to make sure that your pet is safe. Keep your pet in an unused room, or perhaps even outside. And of course, as always, your pet should have plenty of fresh water, and enough toys to occupy their time.

Moving Fish

  • It's wise to visit your local Aquarium or Pet Shop and ask for special fish containers to safely transport your fish. They should be able to offer suggestions on what's best for different types of fish. Other Bits and Pieces to Consider
  • If your new home will be rented, prepare a pet resume for prospective landlords. Your vet may agree to write a referral letter.
  • Always remember to get a new pet ID tag with your new address and contact phone numbers.

Moving Appliances

  • Moving appliances from one home to another requires know-how and a great deal of coordination.
  • A moving company will do all of the heavy work - the actual transporting of your appliances from your home into your new residence. However, the preparation of major appliances and other home furnishings is an important activity for you to schedule.
  • Always remember to get a new pet ID tag with your new address and contact phone numbers.
  • Be sure to properly prepare for the transportation of major appliances and other home furnishings. Depending upon the item, special precautions may be required. It's your responsibility to:
    • Disconnect appliances (ice maker, washer, dryer, etc.) or reconnect them in the new residence.
    • Disconnect utilities.
    • Repair appliances.
    • Remove or install window air conditioners or television and radio antennas.
    • Perform wiring, plumbing, electrical or carpentry services.

Responsibility for Servicing

  • The appliance service company representative prepares the appliances for safe handling prior to transit and/or shipment.
  • The gas company service representative disconnects gas lines and caps the pipes.
  • The moving company provides personnel for careful, efficient handling of appliances during a move. Every effort is made to ensure that appliances reach your new destination safely.
  • The owner assumes responsibility for having appliances properly serviced, both at origin and destination. It is best to have a reputable service representative prepare appliances for moving at least one day before they are to be loaded on the van.

Preparation of Major Appliances

  • Thorough cleaning and drying of appliances, particularly the refrigerator, freezer and range, are necessary. This is especially important if they will be in storage for any length of time.
  • Cleaning instructions are included in the owner's manual which accompanies new appliances. If no instructions are available, use a mild detergent solution. Or use a solution of three quarts warm water and one tablespoon of vinegar. Do not use harsh abrasives that will scratch or ruin finishes. A soft cloth or vacuum cleaner will remove excess dust. Soft rags make excellent drying and polishing cloths.

Packing Advice

If you decide to pack your shipment yourself, plan on at least six weeks to pack and get ready for your move. Super Movers offers the following packing suggestions:

  • Before you start packing, determine the items you want to throw away, donate or sell. Moving is a good time to get rid of items you no longer need. You will save money and have less to pack and unpack.
  • Give yourself enough time to make these decisions.
  • Don't just start packing - plan how you will pack. Pack items you seldom use first. Pack items of similar size and weight together. Don't make any carton too heavy to easily lift.
  • Always use proper packing cartons and wrapping materials. Use professional packing tape, which is a wide, strong, clear or brown tape. Masking tape is not strong enough to support the weight of a fully-packed carton.
  • Tape all cartons closed on the top and bottom - don't just fold the end flaps closed. Use crumpled, unprinted newspaper to pack items in boxes
  • Label the contents on the outside of all boxes, along with the rooms to which they should be delivered to in your new home. When packing fragile items, clearly mark "fragile" on the outside of the box, with arrows on the sides to indicate the correct upright position.
  • Indicate boxes holding essential items such as cooking utensils, bedding, linens and toiletries that need to be opened first by writing "open first" on the box and making sure these are the last boxes to be loaded onto the moving van.

Packing Fragile Items

  • Figuring out how to pack your delicate, breakable and/or valuable possessions can be one of the most challenging parts of moving. However, if you pack your fragile items properly, you can ensure they make the journey safe and sound.
  • First of all, begin by putting some kind of packing material in the bottom of the moving box you plan to use. For packing materials, you could use bubble wrap, tissue paper, packing peanuts, newspaper, or even towels, sheets, blankets and pillows. If you choose to use newspaper, use caution with valuable items because the print may rub off onto packaged items. As an alternative to newspapers as packing material, consider purchasing packing paper, which is designed for this very purpose.
  • Next, carefully wrap each fragile item in the packing material. Put especially fragile items into small individual boxes before placing them into the moving box.
  • When you are putting items into a moving box, put the heaviest items on the bottom, and stack the items progressively lighter. Be very careful not to pack anything on top of something that may break. Do not pack heavy items like books with fragile objects. After each layer, fill all the gaps with packing material. Once the box is packed, put more packing material on top before closing the box. This will keep the items from shifting while they are being moved, and will also help keep the moving box firm.
  • Write "fragile" on the outside of the moving box, and make sure to write which side of the box should be kept up so that the heavier items on the bottom don't end up on the top and crush the lighter items. Label the outside of the moving box with what is inside and what room it should go to in your new home
  • Pack any electronic equipment back in their original boxes, if you have them. If you do not have the original box, find a moving box that is slightly larger than the item while still allowing a little room for whatever packing material you are using. Wrap or box each item or pieces of items separately.
  • If you are moving mirrors, framed artwork, or pictures, put packing tape over the glass in an x or star pattern, so the glass will stay in place if it should happen to break. Wrap unframed artwork in bubble wrap packing material.
  • Pack your mirrors, artwork and pictures in flat picture/ mirror boxes that are only slightly bigger than the item. If you still have the original boxes for your mirrors, use them, along with packing material. As with other fragile items, make sure to put fragile on the outside of the moving box.
  • Using these packing tips will help keep your fragile items safe, and hopefully make your move smooth and easy.