Planning beforehand can prevent disappointing damage to your valuables. We thought we'd share a few tips with you on how you can ensure your valuables arrive at your new location safely. 

Packing Supplies 

Using only strong, corrugated cartons with covers will provide you with greater protection. We offer an array of specially made cartons, for everything from mattresses to clothing and mirrors. The added protection of mover-provided cartons may prevent damage that results from the use of poor-quality packing materials.

Your alternative is to collect boxes discarded by your *grocery or liquor store which are not as strong and crush much easier than mover supplied boxes. Insect eggs and insects such as roaches can travel in food boxes. Keep this in mind when getting boxes from food stores.

Truck rentals alone can be expensive, and hidden costs can quickly run up a high bill. But consider the other costs involved, such as damaged furniture and belongings, disabling injuries to you or a loved one, and other unsuspected problems. Moving yourself can become an expensive nightmarish experience. 

Injuries

Moving yourself can damage important furniture and items, but also your own body or friends and relatives. If you've ever had serious back pain, you probably don't plan to move yourself. Never experienced acute back pain? Trust us, you don't want to!

Professional, licensed moving personnel are trained from the beginning on how to lift and handle furniture and other heavy items to minimize injury to themselves and those around them. Your family and friends can avoid costly and disabling injuries that last for years after the moving date.

Bugs and Pests

When renting trucks, it's not always apparent who used the truck last. What kind of pests and infestations did they have? Did the rental company take care of that infestation before turning the truck over to you? What do you risk bringing to your new home or location?

Professional movers often sanitize trucks in between moves to prevent contaminating your furniture and belongings with bugs, lice, and other pests from prior moves.

Driving Large Trucks Isn't Easy

How about the rental truck? Have you or the intended driver ever driven a large truck on busy streets? Commercial trucks can be tricky to maneuver due to their length, height, weight, and other factors such as blind spots. Even the steering on large trucks can be a bit loose, requiring constant attention to the wheel to keep from shifting lanes. 

Many drivers aren't used to these conditions, making driving a large rental truck more dangerous than ordinary cars.

Packing Materials

It happens during every move. Searches through various grocery stores and other stores for the required number of boxes to pack things in. In addition to the hassle of finding adequate numbers of boxes, such boxes already used for deliveries can be structurally weakened and might make it easier for important goods to be damaged or broken.

Protecting Your Home

Finding a bunch of friends to help you move may not sound like a bad idea. But your friends might not be skilled in handling and moving large, bulky furniture through your existing or new home. Walls, doors, and carpet can easily be damaged by untrained hands, requiring costly fixes and repairs.

Stress-Free Moving

Finding friends and volunteers to help has another drawback: scheduling. When relying on friends and relatives to move, a change in their plans can prove disastrous to yours. A few people canceling can leave your move longer, more difficult, and costing more than you originally planned.

When you are moving out of your old house...

• Confirm arrival time with the moving company.
• Keep important documents and keys handy.
• Make a final inspection to be sure nothing is forgotten.
• Look through closets, basement, garage, etc.
• Turn off lights; close and lock windows and doors.
• Leave keys with real estate agent or landlord.
• Leave home only after the moving truck is on its way.

When you get to your destination...

• Meet the movers promptly.
• Supervise placement of cartons and furniture.
• Check circuit breakers or fuse box to be sure everything is on.
• Call family and friends. Let them know you've arrived safely.

Moving Electronic Equipment

Audio and video equipment and personal computers require special attention for safe moving. Always consult your owner's manuals for specific instructions and consider these basic tips:

• Whenever possible, use the equipment's original boxes for packing. Otherwise, pad and pack each device separately.
• Use tape to code wiring for easier reinstallation.
• Allow equipment to return to room temperature in warmer or colder environments before turning it on. Condensation forms easily on electronics and can damage the devices if powered up too soon.
• Always "park" hard disks on a computer to prevent damage to your data in transit. Often, such parking programs can be found on the diagnostic or program CDs which came with the computer. 
• Computer floppy drives can be secured by placing an old or blank disk in the drive.
• Always back up your important data before you move.
• When moving turntables, fasten down the tone arm, and tighten the turntable screws. Often there will be a shipping lock which was in place when you first opened the turntable. Make sure you secure the dust cover. 
• For CD players, check instructions to learn how to secure the laser. Heat can warp compact discs, so don't move them in a vehicle which may get too hot.
• For your TV or VCR, take normal precautions for fragile items. Clean the VCR heads before using in your new home. Sometimes cable TV servicemen will help you install your TV and VCR at your destination. Other services may be available in your local area to help you set up your electronics or home theater system.

  Packing Tips  

  Planning beforehand can prevent disappointing damage to your valuables. We thought we'd share a few tips with you on how you can ensure your valuables arrive at your new location safely. 

  Packing Supplies 

  Using only strong, corrugated cartons with covers will provide you with greater protection. We offer an array of specially made cartons, for everything from mattresses to clothing and mirrors. The added protection of mover-provided cartons may prevent damage that results from the use of poor-quality packing materials.

  Your alternative is to collect boxes discarded by your *grocery or liquor store which are not as strong and crush much easier than mover supplied boxes. Insect eggs and insects such as roaches can travel in food boxes. Keep this in mind when getting boxes from food stores.

  You can save old newspapers for use in packing, but remember that ink may rub off and stain clothing or other items. As part of our supply selection we offer ink-free newspaper for packing glass and other fragile items.

  Here's a list a packing supplies that will come in handy: 

  • Plastic bags and labels for easy identification.
  • Foam peanuts, Styrofoam pellets or "popcorn."
  • Tissue or craft paper for delicate packing jobs.
  • Corrugated paper rolls for figurines and fragile items.
  • Gummed tape (1 1/2 to 2 inches wide) and/or strong twine for sealing cartons.
  • Markers and labels for identifying contents of cartons.
  • Notebook and pencil for carton identification log.
  • Scissors and/or sharp knife.

  Packing Pointers 
  Before actually packing-up, you need to have a game plan. 

  For example:

  • Pack one room at a time. This will help you when it comes time to unpack.
  • Pack a couple of cartons a day, starting well ahead of the move.
  • Mark all boxes, designating room and box number. Make a carton identification log to show the number of boxes packed per room, and the total number of cartons packed. It's a good idea to leave space in your log for a special comments section to note carton conditions or location of high value goods. Notify your mover of any high value items.
  • Be sure to have plenty of "filling" material available.
  • Be sure that the bottoms of all cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents.
  • Packing tape or gummed tape is better than masking tape.
  • Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top.
  • Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 pounds or less; it makes moving a lot easier. A general rule to remember on carton size -- the heavier the item, the smaller the carton.

  Packing Dishware Safely

  1. Select a medium-sized carton (or mover provided dish pack) and line the bottom of the carton with crumpled packing paper.
  2. With packing paper stacked neatly in place on a work table, center one plate on the paper.
  3. Grasp a corner on several sheets of packing paper and pull the paper over the plate until sheets completely cover the plate.
  4. Stack a second plate on and, moving clockwise, grasp a second corner and pull sheets over the second plate.
  5. Stack a third plate. Grasp remaining two corners, folding two sheets of each corner (one at a time) over the plate.
  6. Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing paper.
  7. Re-wrap the entire bundle: start with one corner of packing paper and pull two sheets over the bundle, cover bundle with next corner, then the third corner; and finally, the fourth.
  8. Seal the bundle with packing tape. Place the bundle of dishware in a medium-size box so that the plates are standing on edge. Use this process on all saucers, bread and butter dishes, and other dishware. When packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack in greater quantity.

  Packing Cups Safely

  1. With packing paper in place on the work table, position one cup six to eight inches from one of the corners.
  2. Now pull the near corner of the paper up and over the cup.
  3. Nest a second cup directly on top, with handle to left (second cup should "nest" itself in packing paper folded over the bottom cups).
  4. Pull the two side corners up and over, one at a time, and tuck corners inside the top cup.
  5. Hold the bottom and top cup in position and roll cups to the remaining corner.
  6. Fragile mixing bowls may be rolled in the same manner.
  7. Delicate cups, like china, should be wrapped one at a time. Antique glass or china should be stuffed with crumpled tissue and wrapped one at a time.

  Packing Glasses and Stemware

  1. Stuff glasses and stemware with crumpled tissue or packing paper before wrapping.
  2. Lay on the corner of packing paper and roll it one or two full rotations (depending on size); pull sides of packing paper up and over glass/stemware and continue rolling to the far corner.
  3. Corrugated paper rolls or cellular boxes may be used for added protection. Place glasses and stemware toward the top of your box. Heavier items (dishware, pitchers,etc.) should be placed toward the bottom of the box.
  4. Delicate glassware and stemware should be placed in an upright position, not on its side.
  5. No matter what you're packing, you should use crumpled packing paper in between each layer to assure a snug fit wherever there's a gap. All boxes with "fragile" items should be marked accordingly.

  Specialized Packing Tips 

  The list of individual household items is endless. Most can be packed by following our packing pointers. Here are some additional packing tips for major items. If you want a more comprehensive list of how to pack special items, drop us a line.

  Bureau Drawers -- Don't overload.

  Too heavy a load can cause damage. Remove firearms and any items that might break or leak. Firearms, along with serial numbers, must be registered with your van line representative before the move.

  Canned Goods and Other Non-Frozen Food

  Pack upright with no more than 24-30 cans per carton. Don't attempt to move perishables. Wrap glass containers and boxed foods individually and pack in small cartons.

  Frozen Foods and Plants

  Because of the delicate and perishable nature of these items, your mover is prohibited from accepting these packed items when your shipment is being transported more than 150 miles and/or delivery will not be accomplished within twenty-four (24) hours from the time of loading. Frozen food shipped within these guidelines must be packed in a freezer which at time of loading is at normal deep-freeze temperature.

  Clocks

  Remove or secure pendulum in large clocks. Grandfather clocks should be prepared for moving by expert servicemen.

  Drapes and Curtains

  Hang drapes over crossbars in wardrobe cartons, or pack folded in clean cartons. Remove curtains from rods, fold and pack in cartons or bureau drawers.

  Flammables and Combustibles

  Flammable liquids and aerosol cans must not be packed. Changes in temperature and pressure can cause them to leak, or even explode. For your own protection, you should know that if you pack these items and they cause damage to your shipment or others, you, not your mover, may be held liable.

  Lamps and Lampshades

  Remove bulbs, harps and shades. Roll up cord. Pack lamps with bedding or wrap separately and place upright in clean, tissue-lined carton. Wrap harp and finally (decorative knob) with packing paper and tape to the inside wall of carton that contains shade. Wrap shades in tissue, not newspaper. Place upright in large,tissue lined cartons.

  Medicines

  Seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and pack upright in small cartons. If needed during travel, carry with you.

  Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures

  Tell your agent about valuable paintings for special care. Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and place on edge in cartons. Place large pictures and paintings on edge in heavy cardboard containers. Large wall or dresser mirrors will be taken down by the movers and placed in special cartons. For added safety, place tape diagonally across mirror to protect better against damage. Do not place newspaper directly against paintings.

  Personal Computers and Video Recorders

  Pack valuable electronic equipment in original cartons when available. Otherwise, use strong, corrugated cartons and place protective padding on the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket or protective pad around the item and place it in its carton. Place additional padding between the carton and the computer or video recorder. Wrap cords separately, label to identify usage and place in a plastic bag away from delicate surfaces. Non-detachable cords should also be wrapped. Place cords between the padded computer or video recorder and the carton. Be sure your personal computer is "parked" and ready for transport.

  Silverware

  Wrap each piece in cloth or low sulphur content paper to prevent tarnishing. Use an old blanket or moving pad as a wrap to prevent scratching the silverware chest.

  Tools

  Drain fuel from power tools (do not ship Flammables under any circumstances). Pack tools in small, strong cartons. Wrap separately if valuable.

  Waterbed Mattresses

  Drain all water from the waterbed and, grasping internal baffle systems with external vinyl, fold mattress 20 inches at a time. Adjust folds to avoid making creases across individual baffles. Consult your owner's manual for special instructions concerning the care and transportation of your mattress. Do not place your mattress in a carton with sharp or pointed objects. For further information, ask your Atlas Relocation Specialist for a copy of "How To Move Your Waterbed."

  Cars and Motorcycles

  Cars and motorcycles shipped on the moving van should be drained nearly empty of fuel. Motorcycle batteries should be disconnected. Automobile antifreeze should be ample to protect against severe cold in winter.

  Barbecue Grills and Propane Tanks

  Wrap grates and briquettes separately in a newspaper (or place all briquettes into a grocery bag) and place parts in carton. Pad carton with paper to reduce movement of contents. Propane tanks must be drained before the move. Consult your local gas grill distributor for the safest method

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