- Appliances
Unhook appliances, such as the washer/dryer, and wind up cords.
- Barbeque
Unscrew propane tank. Propane tanks should be moved by the Customer, if possible, as its against regulations to move them in the truck
- Beds
Remove headboard and footboard and disassemble frame (if applicable). If frame is metal, separate the two halves and fold down. Movers can do this as an "extra" to a VanCity Moving firm quote. Protective plastic mattress bags are a must for protecting mattresses from dust and soilage while being moved, and will be included automatically in a VanCity Moving firm quote, but if you are booking over the phone, be sure to let us know how many of each size we will need to bring to cover your mattress and boxsprings (single, double, queen or king size). This is ESPECIALLY important if your furniture is going to storage!
Cribs will also need to be disassembled before transporting. Movers can also do this as an "extra" to a Vancity Moving firm quote
- China Cabinet
Rremove and pack glass shelves. When taping glass shelves together, use a layer of paper between tape and glass, so that tape will not be left behind on glass.
- Computers
Unhook peripherals such as keyboard, mouse, speakers, printer, and pack in box. In office moves, plastic "keyboard bags" will be provided to pack peripherals. Wrap monitor and CPU with large size bubble wrap. Many Customers prefer to move their own CPU.
- Desks
Remove sliding keyboard base to prevent falling out during the move! Remove and pack contents of drawers. If desk is "table" type, then unscrew removable legs and tape together. If desk is comprised of several sections, these sections will need to be unscrewed. Movers can do this as a small "extra" to a VanCity Moving firm quote!
- Dresser
Contents of dressers will need to be emptied, with mirror unscrewed from back of dresser (if applicable). Pack screws so they are easy to find...usually taping screws inside a drawer works best!
- File Cabinets
Files will need to be taken out and packed in file boxes in order to reduce the weight of the file cabinet. The extra weight of files will often warp the frame of file cabinet while being moved. (Lateral, or "garage door" style, file cabinets are especially prone to this). There are exceptions to this rule, however, such as cases where vertical (non lateral) style file cabinets are being moved, and move has elevators on both sides, with no stairs involved. In cases where offices (with many file cabinets) are being moved, a VanCity Moving representative will do an on site consultation to determine what level of packing file cabinets will require.
- Foosball & Table Hockey
Legs need to be removed before transporting. Movers can do this as an "extra" to a Vancity Moving firm quote
- Garden Tools
Tape together in bundles of 5
- Grandfather / Grandmother clocks
Remove and pack counterweight and pendulum.
- Hanging Clothes
Keep garments on hangers, and transfer directly from closet to wardrobe box. Wardrobe boxes will usually be included in a firm quote. Wardrobes go 2 feet across. A less formal way is to pack garments in 4 cubic foot size boxes.
- Microwave
Don't forget to remove and pack glass plate inside!
- Pictures/Paintings/Mirrors
Smaller pictures with dimensions not exceeding 17.75" by 20.5" can be packed vertically in a regular 4 cubic foot size box after being wrapped in small size bubble wrap or paper.
Paintings/pictures exceeding these dimensions should be packed in picture boxes. First wrap pictures in small size bubble wrap. Then use crumpled paper to cushion the bottom of the box. Insert pictures, and fill in spaces with more crumpled paper, so that your pictures are tightly packed, and do not move around inside the box. Usually, you will fit 2 to 3 pictures per box, depending of the thickness of the frames.
Small size picture boxes will hold pictures with dimensions not exceeding 26.5" by 37", and large size picture boxes will hold pictures with dimensions not exceeding 33" by 48"
For pictures/paintings with dimensions exceeding 48", use 2 large size picture boxes and "telescope" them together.
Please note that this is the formal method of packing your pictures. If your pictures/paintings are of high value, then this is the method you will want to use. However, another less formal method is to simply slide your picture into a flattened box, and tape both ends of the box.
In addition, if your move is in town, it may be easier to simply place the pictures in your car/minivan, and just move them over yourself, rather than spending the time and resources packing them properly for movers to move.
- Plants
Do not water before move, as this adds extra unnecessary weight, and water will tend to drip as plants are carried across floors. For very small plants, pack in 2 cubic foot size boxes, and leave "open faced". Large plants can be shrink wrapped by movers to add stability.
- Plates and Dishes
Make a bed of crumpled packing paper at the bottom of your 2 cubic foot box. Plates should be stacked vertically in the box, as one stacks them in the dishwasher. It is often convenient to pack in bundles of 4, with adequate padding between plates. Regular newspaper can be used, although this leaves a film of ink on your dishes.
- Pool Table
Will need to be disassembled before moving - usually done by a specialist.
- Shelves/Bookcases
Remove loose shelves, and tape together, using a layer of paper between the wood and the tape. (Taping straight onto the wood may pull off the finish). Pull out shelf pins, so that they do not fall out during the move. Usually taping shelf pins right on to shelf works best, so that you do not have to look for pins when starting unpacking!
- Small Lamps
Simaler size shades can be packed together after being removed. After removing lamp harp (metal piece that the shade sits on), body of lamp can be combined with bedding and linens, and packed in a 6 cubic foot size box. If moving locally, it is often easier for the Customer to transport small lamps, as the proper packing can consume a fair amount of time and resources.
- Sofas & Cloth Chairs
As part of the packing process, detachable cushions will need to be packed in 6 cubic foot boxes or wrapped with plastic bags (see Tips & Guidelines). Main body should be wrapped in shrink wrap to ensure that cloth is kept clean and dust free during move. This protective plastic is especially important when transporting sofas in an elevator, as the corner of the sofa that absorbes all the weight when sofa is tilted up will be vulnerable to crushing and soilage without it. This protective plastic is also very important if your furniture is going to storage. Please note if your sofas are leather and being stored for a significant period of time, they should not be permanently sealed with shrink wrap, as the leather will need to "breathe". Sofa bags are recommended instead.
This protection will automatically be included in a VanCity Moving firm quote!
- Tables
Remove leaf and table legs. Movers will carefully wrap these in moving blankets before transporting. If Customer is not comfortable removing legs, movers can do this as a small extra to a VanCity Moving firm quote.
Marble tables need to be transported in custom made crate, which can be arranged by A VanCity Moving representative (approximate cost $150 to $300, depending on size).
- Televisions
Pack in original box if box available. If original box is not available, movers will wrap with moving pads. For LCD TV's, screen should be covered with "small size" bubble wrap as part of packing.
- VCR / Stereo Pieces
Pack two per "2 cubic foot" size box. Use plenty of crumpled paper for cushioning.
