Useful documentation and information

A Smooth Move Is In The Preparation

• Start collecting newspapers prior to your move. (Use newspaper only on glazed, non-porous ceramics, glassware and metal objects. Do not use on porcelain!)
• Go to the grocery store or other convenience shops and ask if they have any crates or boxes that you can use.
• Make sure your boxes are strong enough to support the weight of other boxes being stacked on top of them in the moving van.
• Let go. If you haven’t worn it in over 2 years you probably never will. If it’s really dusty, broken, or missing pieces, throw it out, donate it or have a garage sale.

Start Packing Yesterday

• Pack as much as you can as early as you can. Think of what you use daily and weekly. Now start packing in the reverse order.
• Pack similar items together. This way you avoid running around the entire house during the unpacking process.
• Tape all of the seams on your boxes.
• Distribute weight evenly amongst boxes. Keep boxes under 50 lbs. each.
• Don’t overstuff boxes, leave some extra room at the top.
• Pack heavy items in small boxes. Tape the bottoms well.
• Wrap breakables in newspaper, bubble wrap, clothes, or towels. For the eco-conscience, pack with popcorn.

Sweat the Details

• Label your boxes as you pack with where they belong in your new home. Write FRAGILE in large type on boxes that contain breakables and valuables. Keep those boxes apart from the rest, so they can be loaded when appropiate. You may want to leave lamps, china, artwork and other fragile items for professional movers to pack.
• Tape cords underneath all electrical appliances and remove all lightbulbs from lamps.
• Tape will damage furniture, so avoid using it. Professional movers use belted straps to close unruly doors and drawers. Try cotton package string if you must do it yourself.
• Cover furniture with blankets or towels to protect against nicks and scrapes. Wrap glasses and tumblers individually (first with a sheet of tissue and than with normal paper. Store and transport them upright in a box padded with lots of bubble wrap or newspaper.)
• Be sure to separate valuable items such as jewelry, coins, and camera equipment. Handle their transfer yourself (a safety deposit box can be purchased if you’re concerned about losing things.)
• Collect all your important documents prior to the packing date (if you’re worried about them, put them somewhere safe or ask a relative to hold on to them until the move is complete.)
• Save space. Leave some clothes in your bureau or chest of drawers, but make sure it’s unlocked though (it may be necessary to open the drawers to get a better grip while moving.)
• Cover the corners of your paintings with several layers of cling film and wrap the whole lot in bubble wrap. Afterwards cover them with thick wrapping material and place it in a picture box.

Long distance move packing

• One of the most critical aspects of an long distance move is the quality of the packing. At TransCanadian Van Lines, we choose our packing staff and the quality of our materials with infinite care. As specialists in international moving, naturally enough all of our packing teams are fully trained and fully experienced in the delicate art of moving your valued possessions.
• All packing takes place in your home using only the best available materials. When our packers arrive the foreman will identify himself and take a short tour of the home with you, to identify any particular items requiring special care and to agree with you a schedule of packing that meets your needs, such as packing the beds last.
• All of the materials that we utilise are specifically designed to protect your effects whilet in transit. For example, all furniture is packed in 6 ply wax kraft paper blankets. A layer of corrugated cardboard on top of the blankets then additionally protects any polished furniture.
• We have a wide range of cartons available ranging from book, china, lampshade, parts boxes, picture, and linen to layflat wardrobes. In addition, we will use upright wardrobes for hanging clothing for sea or road moves.
• Fragile items such as china, glass and ornaments are individually wrapped in either “bubblepack”, acid free tissue paper or white paper (depending on the item) and then packed in double wall export cartons.
• Any item requiring specialist care such as antiques or paintings will be packed in internal wooden crates measured exactly to fit and protect the individual items.