Pack Like A Professional

If you're doing your own packing, follow these tips from our expert crews.

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Pack Like A Professional

With Relocation Express custom moving options, you can choose to pack some or all of your belongings yourself and leave the rest to us. Keep in mind that a moving company is only responsible for damage to items packed by their crews. The company is not liable for any damaged items in customer-packed boxes as long as the box is in good shape at the destination – not obviously dropped or mishandled. If you decide to pack all or some of your belongings yourself, follow these packing tips to get things moved in one piece.

Start with These Supplies

Quality, double-corrugated moving boxes in a variety of sizes from Relocation Express or other professional moving provider. Recycled boxes are useable for non-fragile items, but they should be clean and sturdy – boxes will be stacked during the move. Only use double-corrugated heavy duty boxes for fragile or heavy items.
Unprinted packing paper – available from moving providers, office-supply stores, etc (Relocation Express uses acid-free plain packing paper, newspaper is fine for wrapping but ink may rub off onto items)
Bubble wrap
Quality clear packing tape (trust us, don’t skimp on flimsy off-brand tape that splits and tears)
Permanent marker

Box Smarts

Use two strips of tape across the bottom of the box.
Cushion inside the box bottom with an inch or two of crushed paper.
Place heaviest items in the bottom and lightest on top, cushioning each layer and corner spaces with crushed paper.
Pack the box with enough items and cushioning that things don’t move around, but not so tightly that the box bulges outward.
Securely tape the box shut and label which room it belongs to on multiple sides.
Limit each box to 50 pounds or less for easy handling.

Packing Basics

Pack room by room – don’t mix items from different rooms in the same box.
Bag all parts, hanging hardware and cables together to make it easy to hang the curtain rods or mount the television at your new home.
Keep like with like – pack delicate lightweight items in one box and heavy ones in another.
Wrap delicate items first in tissue paper or paper towels, then a double layer of newspaper or packing paper. You can put these wrapped items in smaller boxes, then carefully pack them inside a larger box.
Wind electrical cords and fasten with tape or twist-ties so they don’t dangle or catch on items.
Empty liquids from irons and steamers and remove all batteries from small appliances.
Blankets, towels or lightweight linens can be used as padding.

Give it a try

Electronics:

Saved the original box? Great! That’s the ideal way to pack your TV, sound system and other electronics. If not, use bubble wrap and pack each item in a separate, double-corrugated moving box. Keep all cables with the item for easy hookup at your destination. Backup any computer hard drives and check instructions for information on “parking” the hard disk for transport. Remove CDs from CD players and check instructions on how to secure the laser. Label each box “FRAGILE.”
Lamps:

Pack each lampshade in its own box marked “FRAGILE” and which lamp it goes to. Remove light bulbs and pack each lamp separately.
Pictures and Artwork:

Line the bottom of a picture box with paper. Slide the picture in, then stuff packing paper around the top and sides. You can put more than one picture in a box, just be sure to separate them with enough stuffed paper. Don’t force too many items into a picture box or put multiple art pieces with glass into one box.

*Allow your Relocation Express crew to professionally pack any high-value artwork.
Clothes:

Use wardrobe boxes for your hanging clothes and put shoes in the bottom of the box. Tape all sides securely. Pack clothes from dressers into boxes.
Dishes and Glassware:

Only use double-corrugated boxes for these fragile items and have plenty of newspaper or packing paper handy. Line the bottom of the box with rolled paper. Wrap each plate individually. Wrap flatware in bundles of 3 pieces. For stemware, wrap stem with strips of paper until it’s the width of the glass. Wrap the entire glass in paper and place it in a divided carton. Stack cups and everyday glassware in groups of three, then wrap with paper. Fill each box completely and protect items with plenty of stuffed paper. The less things are able to move around the safer they’ll be.
Books:

Use a small box and don’t overload it. Books are heavier than you think. Pack them with the spine facing the bottom or side of the box. Don’t pack books with the spine facing up – they can warp. If you’re packing old photo albums or books of any value, wrap with paper first and separate them with stiff cardboard.

Leave These Items to the Pros

Some belongings are best packed by your Relocation Express professional moving crew.

Furniture:

These are protected with moving blankets. Leave that to us. We have the pads and the know-how to move your furniture safely. Let us remove legs from tables and disassemble beds and we’ll reassemble them at your destination
Mirrors:

Why take a chance on seven years of bad luck? Let us pack these super fragile items.
High-Value Artwork

We protect oil painting, sculptures and other artwork with custom crates and the right packing methods. Did you know that paper should never touch the surface of an oil painting?

If you're doing your own packing, follow these tips from our expert crews.

Electronics:

Lamps:

Pictures and Artwork:

Clothes:

Dishes and Glassware:

Books:

Furniture:

Mirrors:

High-Value Artwork