When you have decided to use Advanced, we will provide you with cardboard cartons and sealing tape to enable you to start packing at your leisure. Remember the carton delivery is free, as are the cartons and tape supplied. We can also supply you with bubble wrap and packing paper if required.
Hanging garment (wardrobe boxes) are normally provided on moving day. They are on the vehicle and are part of the teams on board equipment. If you are dismantling wardrobes prior to your move date and require wardrobe boxes to enable this, we can provide them to you in advance. Please speak to your representative to confirm this.
Please remember that if you have elected to pack your own household effects, this also includes garage and garden shed contents. If you do decide to do the packing yourself, you automatically assume a major portion of the responsibility for the success of the move – including that of having everything properly packed and ready for loading when the moving van arrives. All packing must be completed by the evening before moving day…only the things you will need that night & next morning should be left for last minute packing. In addition, your packing will be expected to meet specific standards. This means complying with the principles of good packing as outlined here, as well as following the suggestions relative to items that should not be included in the relocation.
Good packing means……
- Wrapping items carefully.
- Using sturdy cartons that close.
- Making sure of a firm pack that will not rattle, bulge outward or bend inward, with box lids closed and sealed.
Preparation
- Starts packing as soon as you find out you’re moving.
- Never pack flammable items including gas canisters – these for insurance reasons are not permitted.
- Boxes must be sealed with parcel tape top & bottom.
- Must be stackable, weight evenly distributed, enough for one person to carry (approximately 20/25 kilos).
- Plates, cups, glasses wrapped with paper or bubble wrap.
- Mirrors, picture frames wrapped in bubble wrap or any other protective material (blanket, towels).
- Label or mark boxes with room names or numbers along the sealing tape for the delivery address.
- No carrier bags. Must be heavy-duty dustbin liners or laundry bags with no sharp objects or fragile items in the bags.
- No loose objects (especially small electrical goods toasters, kettles, Hi-Fi’s, portable TV’s etc).
- Cushion bottom of carton and between layers when packing fragile items.
- Wrap all fragile items individually.
- Pack heavier items in lower layers, lighter items in upper layers.
- Paper cushioning absorbs shock. Be generous.
- Loose packing creates damage. Make sure items are firmly packed. Very Important.
- Do not overfill carton. Top should close easily without bulging or sagging.
- Do not use plastic crates with no lids – these do not stack.
- Use clean newsprint paper. Old newspapers may work, but use them carefully because the ink may rub off onto your items. Clean “newsprint” paper is available from us should you need it – refer to price list.
- The key to a successful pack is to try wherever possible to pack strongest point uppermost in the box, so when boxes are stacked in the vehicle compression does not damage items in the boxes at the base of the stack.
China
Carefully wrap china in sheets of clean newsprint paper. Place crushed newsprint paper or double layer of bubble wrap in the bottom for cushioning. Wrap each piece individually then wrap up to three in a bundle with a double layer of paper. Place these bundled items in the carton in a row on edge.
Surround each bundle with crushed paper, being careful to leave no unfilled spaces. Add two or three inches of crushed paper on top of the bundle to protect rims and make a level base for the next tier. Horizontal cardboard dividers can be helpful in keeping layers level. Smaller plates, saucers and shallow bowls can make up a second layer. Wrap and pack in the same way as larger items.
Glassware, Stemware and Crystal
Glassware individually wrapped in paper turned upside down in the box with crushed paper around each glass. Stemware and crystal is individually wrapped with paper inserted into the goblet and around the stem. Each goblet is cushioned by a wrapping of bubble wrap and placed stem up in the box.
Ornaments & Figurines
Wrap ornaments and figurines with bubble wrap, then snugly wrap with clean paper. If bubble wrap is not available, use clean paper to wrap the article until it is adequately cushioned. Birds with long beaks or ballerina with leg in air the base should placed on a length of bubble wrap, then make a soft ball with another piece of bubble wrap to support the beak or leg then wrap.
Lamps
After removing the light bulb, wrap the base, harp and bulb separately, in newsprint, and place together in a carton, filling spaces with crushed paper. Never wrap the lamp shade in newspaper. Carefully wrap each shade with clean paper, a pillow case or large lightweight towel. Shades can be nested inside each other, as long as they are separated by paper.
Clothes
Clothes are left on hangers and hung in special wardrobe cartons. Folded clothes in wardrobes need to be packed in boxes. Light clothes can stay in chest of draws but please pack any make-up, pens and general bric-a-brac into boxes.
Shoes
Pack shoes in their original shoebox, if possible, and place in a carton. If shoeboxes are not available, individually wrap them to prevent abrasive damage. High heels should be cushioned to avoid damage. Do not pack heavy objects on top of shoes.
Books
Pack upright with open edges and bound ends alternating. Pack books of same general size together. If any have fragile covers wrap in paper. Expensively bound volumes or those of special sentimental value should be individual wrapped before packing.
Photographs
Family photographs, videos, slides and negatives should be packed in separate cartons rather than being combined with other household items. Protect framed photos with bubble wrap, standing them on edge in a carton.
Artificial Flowers
An arrangement of artificial flowers should be packed in its own carton. Wrap carefully in plastic wrap, tissue paper or paper towels. If possible, fasten the base of the floral piece to the bottom of the carton.
Computers
If possible, pack computers in their original cartons. As long as proper packing materials are used (bubble wrap, newsprint, blankets, pillows, etc.), computers can be safely packed in sturdy boxes. Start by padding the bottom of the carton with a generous amount of packing material.Wrap computer parts generously with paper and place in carton. Tightly pack padding around and on top of the unit to prevent damage.Firmly seal the carton. Label the carton as “Fragile – Top Load.”
Small Appliances
Small clocks, radios and similar items can be packing in the same carton, or in with the linens. These items should be wrapped individually, using several pieces of paper, and should be placed in the packed carton with plenty of crushed paper. Make sure cords are wrapped so as not to scratch or otherwise damage items. Steam irons should be emptied of all water, wrapped and placed in the cushioned bottom of a box. Remove all batteries from small appliances before packing.
Compact Discs, Tapes and Records
Remove these items from the stereo or storage cabinet. If records are not in jackets, wrap individually in tissue paper or plastic wrap to protect them from being scratched. Stand compact discs and records on edge, never flat, on a layer of crushed paper. Support at both ends with a large, hardcover book or several pieces of cardboard cut to fit. Top with another layer of crushed paper. Cassette tapes should be placed in the protective plastic box in which they came, if possible, and then wrapped individually in crumpled paper. Place individual tapes vertically on a couple of layers of crushed paper.
Silverware
Loose flatware may be wrapped either individually or in sets, in clear plastic or tissue. If the silverware is in a chest, you still may want to wrap the pieces individually and replace in the chest, or fill in all empty spaces in the chest with tissue paper or paper towelling.
Because they are lightweight, these items can be folded and packed in larger cartons. Place in cartons, lined with clean paper.
Hats
If a hat box, pack in a larger carton. If not, loosely stuff with crushed paper and pack in the smallest carton either alone or with other hats.
Food
Open boxes of dried or powdered foods such as rice, macaroni and cereals should be sealed with tape. Small containers of herbs and spices, condiments, gelatine, flavourings, etc. should be placed together in a small box before packing into a larger container. Cover holes of shaker type containers and seal with tape. Since canned goods are heavy, the amount placed in one carton should be limited. It is good practice to place these canned items on the bottom of a box containing several other light items. Please make sure the caps on bottles are secure and taped to stop leakage.
Indoor/Outdoor Plants
Live plants may not survive on a long distance move and whilst every effort is made to ensure they survive we cannot accept responsibility. Therefore plants are not covered in the event of damage or breakage.
Tools
Long-handled garden tools, as well as brooms and mops, should be bundled together securely. If they are muddy place ends in black bin liner. Attachments should be removed from power tools and packed separately. Hand tools may be left in tool boxes and the spaces filled with crushed paper, or they may be packed according to general packing rules.
Outside Effects
Before moving day, dismantle children’s swing sets, TV antennas and garden sheds. Gather pieces and bundle together with nylon cord. Keep fixings in plastic bags and securely tape to the item. Prepare lawn mower by draining fuel prior to the day of loading.
What Not to Pack
All stocks, bonds, currency, jewellery, furs, stamps, coins, securities, negotiable bonds, insurance policies, passports and valuable papers should not be packed for loading on to the vehicle. We suggest you move these items yourself in your car. Remember that all of your possessions are being loaded into the removal vehicle, for insurance purposes we cannot accept hazardous materials for shipment. Restricted items include:
- Paints, thinners, oils and varnishes
- Ammunition, Shotguns, Side Arms
- Bottled gas, propane, etc.
- All flammables, explosives and corrosives
- Motor fuels and oils
- Aerosol cans
- Matches
- Survival Kit
This is a list of items you should keep in your possession when you move:
- Medication – any personal do not pack
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Paper Plates
- Paper Napkins
- Plastic Plates
- Paper Cups
- Kettle
- Mugs
- Coffee/Tea
- Milk
- Sugar
- Bottle/can opener
- Aspirin
- Children’s books/toys
- Personal Grooming Kit – Comb, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Soap, Shampoo, Razor
- Flashlight w/batteries
- Light bulbs
- Rubbish Bags
- Scissors and/or utility knife
- Household cleaning supplies
- Pad of paper & a pen