Self Service Move

7 Tips for Self Service Move

• Prefer this move only if the load is small and manageable and the distance between original location and the destination is reasonable.
• For this move first acquire packing materials like moving boxes, moving kits, special boxes to pack glass items, different types of packing wrappers and other packing accessories like tapes, markers, labels, twine etc.
• After acquiring the packing material pack the goods carefully. Wrap the goods with packing wrappers for better protection. For glass and breakable items use special boxes and special wrappers so that they will not be damaged during transportation.
• After packing each box, make sure that you write the names of the articles on the box so that it will be easy while unpacking.
• Now arrange for a crew of people to load and unload the goods. Some time the loading and the unloading is done by the crew provided by the truck provider.
• Do not rent a truck that is too small or too large for the goods to be moved. A smaller one damages the goods because the goods must be adjusted in the little space and the larger one moves the goods here and there which will also damage the goods.
• Be present when the loading and unloading is done .You can be sure that the process is taking place smoothly.

Packing Tips

• For any of your move it is good to choose boxes of 50lbs or less. If they are bigger than this size the may fall apart.
• Place light items in big boxes and heavy items in small boxes so that the boxes are not too heavy.
• Use bubble wrap to pack all breakables like mirrors, glass etc. Place them in a loose plastic bag before placing in a box. Do not to pack breakable items and metal items together in one box.
• It is always good to replace the electronic goods in their original boxes. If you do not have the original boxes then buy boxes and then pack using cushions.
• If you are packing any items that stain other items try to cover the parts that stain or completely remove them. (E.g. If packing a bicycle cover the chain or remove it so that the grease will not stain other things.)
• Pack the luggage by room and mark the boxes so that while unloading you will know to which room the box should go (E.g. mark with different colors for boxes of different rooms or give different numbers to boxes of different rooms.).
• It is always helpful to list all the items placed in each box and paste the list on the box so that while unpacking you will know what items the box contains.
• Mark all the boxes containing breakable items with a different color or make it a point to write line like "Breakables, handle with care" or "Frazil, handle with care".
• Use plastic tape of two inch wide to seal all the boxes.
• Always place the heavy and unbreakable boxes first and also remember to place the boxes with breakable items on the top while placing the packed boxes in the truck or the carrier.

Loading, Shipping, Unloading

• Choosing the right sized truck makes the whole process of loading and moving easy.
• While storing keep in mind that the truck driver must be happy with the way you store. The balance of the truck depends on the way you store the goods.
• It is always advocated to store the heaviest goods first, then the lighter ones and then the breakables or the fragile goods.
• Frequently used items during the move must be stored at the front of the unit so that while removing you will not have any problem.
• Heavy goods like bureaus, large cabinets, sofas, washing machines, refrigerators must always be placed against the walls of the truck.
• Lighter items like chairs, tables and book cases better be stored at the back.
• Large, flat items like mirrors, table tops and mattresses must always be placed upright against the walls and tied carefully.
• Check whether the unit is well packed and make sure it is secured. Though the security is provided by the mover you should have your own security measures.
• Heavy items must always be unloaded first. Because unloading heavy items consumes a lot of energy. The workers will be fresh and energetic when they start unloading therefore better unload the heavy items first.
• Then let the fragile and breakable items be out of the way. Send these items to the respective rooms directly to avoid damage.
• Moving the items and boxes to the respective rooms as soon as possible is a good idea, because later it will be a bit difficult to sort them out though they are marked.
• Start the process of unpacking the next day. Because the whole process of unloading will be enough tiring for the day.
• Unpack and arranging the goods needed for the daily use first. We suggest start unpacking and rearranging the kitchen first.
• Now the big items like bureaus, large cabinets, sofas, cots, etc.be arranged. So that you will have the rough arranged house and can make few changes for a completely arranged house.