Moving prep: what to do before your movers arrive
Packing is an essential step for a successful move. This step can make or break a move! If a home is not packed and prepared for move day, it is almost certain that the move will take additional time than was allotted on your estimate. To avoid any surprises to your pocketbook on move day, please be 100% packed prior to the moving crew’s arrival!
Our professional packers are happy to assist with packing, from just the awkward or fragile items to your whole home. We typically schedule packing services the day prior to move day unless only a few items need packing by Porter Moving Company.
Anything that will fit in a box should be boxed prior to the crew’s arrival. The crew will be the most efficient when they are only moving boxes and furniture. We ask that boxes are sealed with tape on the top and bottom. Boxes should be packed full to ensure they are not crushed when stacked in the truck. Use extra linens or packing paper to fill in any space in the box. The idea is that the contents of the box cannot shift inside the box during transport. Also, if you have half full boxes, they will take up double the space in the truck. Packing paper is your best friend to protect fragile items/glassware and create cushion in your boxes. Remember to label your boxes with the room they came from!
TVs, Artwork, and Mirrors should also be packed prior to move day. U-Haul/Home Depot/Lowes carry picture and TV boxes that are designed for these items. We recommend also wrapping the pieces in packing paper or blankets and towels to help create cushion inside the box. Glass and removable marble tops for end tables, coffee tables, and TV stands should also be packed like you would pack a picture. Depending on the weight and fragility of the piece, it may also require crating. If you choose not to have these items boxed, we are happy to help load and unload them from your vehicle or give us a heads up and we can assist with this! Our crews are unable to mount TVs or remove them from the mount.
Lamps should also be boxed to ensure a safe arrival on the other end. Use packing paper or towels to wrap the lamp base and place in a box. Lamp shades should be put in a separate box by themselves and labeled “Lamp Shade TOP LOAD”. You can put more than one shade in a box, but if anything besides packing paper is placed in the box with the shades, the item is likely to damage the shades during transport.
Dresser drawers can be left full of clothing and linens, but all other loose items should be removed and packed in boxes. This goes for nightstands as well. Hanging clothes can be easily packed in wardrobe boxes.
The Garage is sometimes an overlooked space in the home when it comes to packing. It is important to pack any loose items in boxes. We do ask that customers transport chemicals/liquids themselves to prevent anything leaking in the truck. Large toolboxes that are on wheels do not need to be emptied. Yard tools such as rakes, shovels, etc. can be put in a spare garbage can or taller box and we will wrap them up when we arrive. We ask that small saws and other tools be packed in boxes, and we can take care of any larger tools. Please have the gasoline in mowers and snow blowers emptied.
Appliances: Our crew can move appliances, but they are unable to unhook them from the home. Likewise, they cannot reinstall them in the new home. Please also empty any fridges and freezers that you are moving. Deep freezers should be defrosted a day or two prior to move day. If you are moving a fridge in the home, you will need to measure to ensure the fridge will fit through all doorways. Make sure to include handles in your measurements! If the doorways do not allow for the removal of the fridge, you will need to remove the fridge doors prior to the crew’s arrival.
Hardware: Many furniture items will need to be disassembled for them to be moved. Please leave out Ziploc bags for the crew to place hardware in for each piece. We ask that customers transport hardware to the destination as there are lots of places for it to be misplaced in our truck.
Limitations: What We Can’t Move
Liquid cleaning supplies
Any open liquids such as oils, vinegars, and soaps
Propane tanks
Aerosol cans
Live plants
Light bulbs
Ammunition
Rental Truck Loading: If you are looking for assistance loading a rental vehicle, please make sure you provide moving blankets and tie down straps for the crew to properly wrap and secure your load! The recommended amount of blankets is 2 dozen per 5 ft of truck space. Our crew will provide shrink wrap on move day.
Multi - Stop Moves: If your move involves dropping items at multiple locations, it is helpful to have boxes and furniture labeled clearly. Colored stickers can be a great visual aid for the crew to keep them moving quickly. You can keep extra out for them to label furniture pieces as they wrap them. Painter’s tape can also work well if you write the destination on each piece (“Storage” or “House” for example).