A MOVING CHECKLIST: How To Pack For A Move

This can be used as a moving checklist to help you save time, energy, and money on your move.

1. Protect your back! Pack in small boxes to avoid lifting too much weight. Consider purchasing a small hand dolly.

   • Pack books and hand tools in small cartons.
   • Pack clothing and most other items in medium cartons.
   • Use large and extra large cartons only if you really need the extra box space — or the items are really light.

2. Protect from scratching. Wrap everything — even pots, pans and hand tools.

   • You can use newspaper to wrap hand tools or dishwasher safe dishes.
   • Use unprinted newsprint for anything you’d prefer not to wash.
   • Use bubble pack for fragile items

3. Protect fragile items from impact.

   • Use new boxes. New boxes are stronger than used boxes.
   • Use heavy duty boxes for heavy or large items.
   • Use extra padding or bubble pack if the items are fragile.
   • If it is REALLY fragile, pack it in it’s own separate box. Then pack this box into a larger moving carton with plenty of clearance between the inner box and outer box.

4. Protect fragile items from shaking…… If it shakes; it breaks.

   • Be sure the boxes are completely full before sealing them.
   • Be sure the corners are filled with padding.
   • Be sure the padding (BUT NOT THE CONTENTS) is mounded a fraction of an inch above the top of the box.
   • Shake the box before taping the top shut.
   • Add padding wherever necessary.

5. Protect fragile items from crushing.

   • Use strong, new boxes for packing. Used boxes tend to be soft. If you stack used boxes in a truck, the lower boxes will tend to collapse.
   • Never pack heavy items and fragile pieces in the same box. Always remember, boxes may be turned upside down during a move.

6. We don’t recommend used moving boxes.

   • There are several problems with used moving boxes.
     People use them because they are cheap. In San Diego, our prices for new boxes are generally less than what movers charge for used boxes.
   • Used boxes are not sanitary. Ordinary, healthy people carry an amazing amount of mites and bacteria on their clothes and skin. These things can get transferred through used moving boxes. Roaches are also a concern.
   • Used boxes are not as strong. Never put fragile goods in used boxes.
   • Old labels remaining on used boxes can be misleading. Don’t expect movers to heed Fragile labels on used boxes. They don’t know when the labels were applied.
   • Tape doesn’t stick as well to used boxes.
   • Because of their condition, it takes more time to assemble used boxes.
   • Liquor boxes and copy paper boxes are an exception to most of the objections above. They are designed for extra strength so they can work for one reuse.

7. Write your own moving checklist so you don’t forget key items and to save time.

   • A moving checklist will help eliminate moving stress
   • The moving checklist will help you plan the minor details that need to be achieved to make the move on time.
   • A moving checklist should be written to separate events chronologically. List priorities on the moving checklist that need to occur two months before the move all the way up to the day of the move.