The Following Tips in a
printable PDF file

Don’t try doing it all at once – use the following guide to find your way round your move. Take your time and start early. Good luck with your move and remember, if you can't find what you're looking for, you can allways contact us and we will do whatever we can to assist you.

How to Select a Moving Company General Moving Tips Material Tips Packing Tips

So the first thing to do is to make sure you are choosing a reliable moving company. Price is not the only factor when selecting a moving company. Here are several other important issues to consider when choosing a moving company:

Referrals
It is helpful to get two to three referrals prior to choosing a moving company, from friends, family, etc. Remember, one referral is typically nor reliable. This will indicate the moving company has a consistent history of good quality work. Many moving companies have references on file, which you can ask to review.

License Requirements
Always make sure your mover is appropriately licensed. Local moves are typically controlled by state agencies, while the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) controls interstate moves. When selecting a mover make sure to request their licensing number. This will guarantee their certification and thus indicate they have the appropriate qualifications needed to run a moving company.

Valuation Coverage
Make sure the moving company you choose provides limited liability coverage at no additional cost to you and provides an option for additional coverage for an additional fee. Remember a low price may be beneficial to you in the short run, but damaged possessions will be more harmful to you in the long run.

Worker's Compensation
Workers’ compensation ensures that if a mover suffers while on the job, you are not liable for their injuries. Licensed movers are required to have this type of insurance for their employees. Make sure to ask your moving company if they have this type of liability.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB is an organization that attempts to mediate disagreements between businesses and consumers. The BBB can provide you with information about the reputation of a particular company. For example, a good moving company will have few complaints on file with the BBB. However, remember the number of complaints depends on the work volume of a particular company. So, it is important to ask for the ratio of the number of complaints to the number of total moves this company has performed to get an appropriate estimate of the company performance.

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• Clear out unwanted goods – hold a garage sale.
• Get rid of flammables – paint, petrol, gas cylinders.
• Empty fuel from mowers, clippers, strimmers and so on.
• Clothes – do you need them all? Charity shops may want them.
• Separate books – disposable, family reading, valuable.
• Check all electrical goods – will they work in the new home?
• Start making up your change of address list.
• Arrange to have mail forwarded.
• Agree termination date for electricity, gas, oil, telephone and other main suppliers, and ask for bills to be made out.
• If you are taking electrical goods such as a stereo, check the loft to see if you still have their original boxes.
• Have rugs cleaned.
• If you have children, separate cherished toys to travel with you.
• Round up personal documentation – marriage/birth certificates, driving licenses and so on.
• Keep passports separate so they are not packed.
• Want to take the car? Check on import regulations and the duty payable.
• To say nothing of family pets – make sure vaccinations and documentation are up to date.
• Will your new home be ready? If not, you need to arrange temporary storage.
• Shops, schools, theatre, life styles – it’s never too early to find out about your new home.
• Start running down freezer stocks.
• Arrange your finances – close or transfer bank accounts, savings accounts and so on, if necessary.

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Click here for a list of moving supplies available at Move Plus.

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Your alternative is to collect boxes discarded by your *grocery or liquor store. Save
old newspapers for use in packing, but remember that ink may rub off and stain clothing
or other items.

*WARNING: Insect eggs and insects such as roaches can travel in food boxes.
Keep this in mind when getting boxes from food stores.

Here's a list a packing supplies that will come in handy:

Packing Pointers

Before actually packing-up, you need to have a game plan. For example:

• Pack one room at a time. This will help you when it comes time to unpack.
• Pack a couple of cartons a day, starting well ahead of the move.
• Mark all boxes, designating room and box number. Make a carton identification log to show the number of boxes packed per room, and the total number of cartons packed. It's a good idea to leave space in your log for a special comments section to note carton conditions or location of high value goods. Notify your mover of any high value items.
• Be sure to have plenty of "filling" material available.
• Be sure that the bottoms of all cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents.
• Packing tape or gummed tape is better than masking tape.
• Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 pounds or less; it makes moving a lot easier. A general rule to remember on carton size -- the heavier the item, the smaller the carton.

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Use this process on all saucers, bread and butter dishes, and other dishware. When packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack in greater quantity.


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The list of individual household items is endless. Most can be packed by following our packing pointers. Here are some additional packing tips for major items. If you want a more comprehensive list of how to pack special items, drop us a line.

Bureau Drawers -- Don't overload. Too heavy a load can cause damage. Remove firearms and any items that might break or leak. Firearms, along with serial numbers, must be registered with your van line representative before the move.

Canned Goods and Other Non-Frozen Food -- Pack upright with no more than 24-30 cans per carton. Don't attempt to move perishables. Wrap glass containers and boxed foods individually and pack in small cartons.

Frozen Foods and Plants -Because of the delicate and perishable nature of these items, your mover is prohibited from accepting these packed items when your shipment is being transported more than 150 miles and/or delivery will not be accomplished within twenty-four (24) hours from the time of loading. Frozen food shipped within these guidelines must be packed in a freezer which at time of loading is at normal deep-freeze temperature.

Clocks -- Remove or secure pendulum in large clocks. Grandfather clocks should be prepared for moving by expert servicemen.

Drapes and Curtains -- Hang drapes over crossbars in wardrobe cartons, or pack folded in clean cartons. Remove curtains from rods, fold and pack in cartons or bureau drawers.

Flammables and Combustibles -- Flammable liquids and aerosol cans must not be packed. Changes in temperature and pressure can cause them to leak, or even explode. For your own protection, you should know that if you pack these items and they cause damage to your shipment or others, you, not your mover, may be held liable.

Lamps and Lampshades -- Remove bulbs, harps and shades. Roll up cord. Pack lamps withbedding or wrap separately and place upright in clean, tissue-lined carton. Wrap harp and finial (decorative knob) with packing paper and tape to inside wall of carton that contains shade. Wrap shades in tissue, not newspaper. Place upright in large, tissue lined cartons.

Medicines -- Seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and pack upright in small cartons. If needed during travel, carry with you.

Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures -- Tell your agent about valuable paintings for special care. Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and place on edge in cartons. Place large pictures and paintings on edge in heavy cardboard containers. Large wall or dresser mirrors will be taken down by the movers and placed in special cartons. For added safety, place tape diagonally across mirror to protect better against damage. Do not place newspaper directly against paintings.

Personal Computers and Video Recorders -- Pack valuable electronic equipment in original cartons when available. Otherwise, use strong, corrugated cartons and place protective padding on the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket or protective pad around the item and place it in its carton. Place additional padding between the carton and the computer or video recorder. Wrap cords separately, label to identify usage and place in a plastic bag away from delicate surfaces. Non-detachable cords should also be wrapped. Place cords between the padded computer or video recorder and the carton. Be sure your personal computer is "parked" and ready for transport.

Silverware -- Wrap each piece in cloth or low sulphur content paper to prevent tarnishing. Use an old blanket or moving pad as a wrap to prevent scratching the silverware chest.

Tools -- Drain fuel from power tools (do not ship Flammables under any circumstances). Pack tools in small, strong cartons. Wrap separately if valuable.

Waterbed Mattresses -- Drain all water from the waterbed and, grasping internal baffle systems with external vinyl, fold mattress 20 inches at a time. Adjust folds to avoid making creases across individual baffles. Consult your owner's manual for special instructions concerning the care and transportation of your mattress. Do not place your mattress in a carton with sharp or pointed objects. For further information, ask your Atlas Relocation Specialist for a copy of "How To Move Your Waterbed."

Cars and Motorcycles -- Cars and motorcycles shipped on the moving van should be drained nearly empty of fuel. Motorcycle batteries should be disconnected. Automobile antifreeze should be ample to protect against severe cold in winter.

Barbecue Grills and Propane Tanks -- Wrap grates and briquets separately in a newspaper (or place all briquets into a grocery bag) and place parts in carton. Pad carton with paper to reduce movement of contents. Even if propane tanks are drained before your move, we will not be able to move this item for you. Consult your local gas grill distributor for the safest method.