Packing Tips that Save Time and Money

The first thing to be aware of when you are packing your own personal effects into cartons is that they will only be insured for loss. Not breakage.

If that doesn’t bother you and your have the time then why not pack yourself?

The first thing to arrange is some good quality packing materials.

Make sure the cartons are of good quality, robust, and of a uniform size. Don’t use grocery cartons, wet cartons, second hand cartons or cartons of all different shapes and sizes. This slows down loading time, makes the load difficult to stack, heightens the risk of damage and costs your money in the long run. Which is not your objective.

Use good quality tape.

Don’t use tea chests or wooden crates that could easily scratch furniture, or be awkward to carry.

Start packing early and don’t be in a rush. Take your time and be thorough.

Share the packing duties. Let your children pack their own toys, books, and personal belongings. As long as it’s not breakable. It makes packing and moving a fun activity, and the move less stressful.

Don’t use newspaper to pack your belongings. The ink from the print smears china and can be difficult to remove.

Use “fragile” ,”this way up” and “heavy” stickers to help the movers when they’re stacking the cartons into the back of the truck. Make sure you label each carton with your name, the destination, and room contents with a black felt tip marker.

When you’ve finished packing leave the cartons where they are. It makes it easier for the movers to inventory the load and speeds up the loading process.

Don’t pack books into large cartons. Each carton should weigh less than 20kg. Remember, if you can’t lift it the moving man probably can’t either.

As a general rule of thumb “anything that fits in a carton goes in a carton”. Again, it speeds up the loading process and provides better protection for your goods.

Don’t pack aerosols, lighters, or flammables or dangerous goods of any nature. This could jeopardise your ability to make a claim if the truck goes up in flames.

If you’ve got any personal effects that are of a high value consider letting the movers pack it. Then it’s insured for breakage. But make sure a note is made of this on the inventory, and you get something in writing from the mover which covers this item for damage. Otherwise, take it with you in the car, or on the plane.

Don’t pack jewellery, passports, or personal documents. As silly as it may sound plenty of people do, to their detriment.

Lastly, your mover is their to help. If in doubt call them for advice. Or post your comment or question here and we will be more than pleased to assist.