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Your Indianapolis Mover answers your top packing questions
Packing can be one of the most overwhelming and overlooked tasks for a move. You’d be surprised by how much stuff you actually have. The first step to any move is determining what items to get rid of in your home.
After that, you have to make sure your items are packed correctly. Whether you are packing yourself or having your mover do it, you will probably have questions. As a full-service moving company, Leaders Moving & Storage has the answers.
1. Which items are best for each box size?
This is one of our most frequently asked questions. The most important thing to remember is to make sure your boxes are less than 50 pounds to prevent injury. Here is what we recommend for each type of box:
- Small Boxes: good for the heaviest items, like books and canned or dry goods
- Medium Boxes: good for just about any item, from bedroom items to small appliances
- Large Boxes: best for bulky or light-weight items, like pots and pans or bedding
- Dish Barrels/Boxes: similar in size to Large boxes, but stronger for long-distance moves, best used for china and dishes
- Wardrobe Boxes: best for hanging clothes and good for placing shoes and accessories at the bottom. Because of the size of the box, it can also accommodate yard tools, rakes, etc. for local moves. At Leaders, we can loan out these boxes for the move if requested.
No matter what items you put in a box, be sure to place the heaviest items at the bottom and the lightest items on top to prevent damage.
2. How many boxes do I need?
It depends on the size of the move. Generally, you can fill one Small Box with items from one large bookshelf (see image on the right) or 2 small bookshelves. Use this visual to estimate the boxes for cabinets, drawers or entertainment centers. Vanities and linen closets usually don’t take up a lot of space. You’d be surprised how close your box estimate will be, but many times people underestimate and you’ll have to come back for more.
Of course, we can always give you a box estimate based on the inventory you give us for your guaranteed price. Usually the rule is 10 boxes per 1000 lbs. Also, if you purchase packing services, we will send out a professional move coordinator to take a detailed inventory to ensure enough boxes are put on your quote.
(Remember that if you buy boxes from us, you get an 80% refund when returning them in good condition through our Box Loan program)
3. How much packing paper do I need to use?
The short answer is the more the better. You need to make sure you have enough padding for the items to be secure if they are dropped. The first step is putting a bunch of padding or paper at the bottom of the box. You can even get your kids or grandkids involved here. You can also use linens or pillows for padding.
Ultimately, the amount of paper you use depends on the items you are packing. The process is different when packing kitchen items, electronics, or figurines. Just make sure you have enough to keep items from breaking.
4. How do I pack fragile items?
Fragile items are the trickiest to pack. These are often sentimental, like your grandmother’s china, which makes packing correctly even more important. Start by placing at least 6 inches of wadded paper in the bottom of the box. Then, wrap or roll your items in at least 2 pieces of packing paper. To wrap the item, take each corner of the paper and place it on top of the item, then flip it over and repeat the process with another piece. After placing the items in the box, place another 6 inches of paper on top and pad the edges of the box. Layering is key.
For extremely fragile items, you might consider using bubble wrap or tissue paper to wrap the items. For extra protection, you can pack the items in a shoe box, plastic container, Tupperware, or any smaller box before placing it in the bigger box. Also, make sure dishes are layered together and the empty spaces are filled around them. For some special items, it may be necessary to use packing peanuts. Most importantly, if you don’t think the item will be secure on the moving truck, take it with you in your car for safer transport.
5. How can I make packing easier?
Packing is never easy, but there are simple ways to make the job a little easier on yourself. To save your back, place boxes on something higher so you’re not bending down so much. We recommend if you have a box already packed, place the next box on top. You can also place a box on a chair or low table, just as long as you can still reach inside it.
6. When will the movers pack my items?
If you purchased full-service packing services, meaning you want us to pack your entire home, the packing will usually be done the day before a move. It is rare for a crew to be able to do all the packing and moving in one day. However, if you want us to pack only some of your items, like the kitchen or dining areas, this can be done the same day as the move.
Get advice from your Professional Indianapolis Mover
We are here to help with expert advice and service. Our professional mover coordinators will answer any questions you might have on packing or moving. You can even avoid the hassle of packing by having our trained professional packers do it for you. Call us at 317-280-3385 to get your guaranteed quote, or fill out our online quote form to get started today.
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photo credit: My books via photopin (license)
About the author
LEADERS Moving & Storage was founded in 1994 in Ohio with a pickup truck and a handshake. Since then, we’ve become one of the largest moving companies in the Midwest and have set the standard for others to follow.
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