How to Move Pre-planning

Updated: January 22, 2019

Proper packing is essential for a successful move. That’s why many families entrust the packing of their prized possessions to the professionals – Bekins Moving & Storage. Bekins offers years of experience in packing the personal possessions for generations of families, using the latest materials and techniques to meet every packing requirement.

Your Bekins Moving Consultant will gladly provide you with an estimate for this important service. If you have the time, however, and have decided to do your own packing, this guide shares some of the techniques and helpful suggestions to protect your items during your move.

Pre-Planning

Bekins Moving & Storage has a complete range of cartons and material specially designed to provide specific items with maximum protection:

China/Dish Pack: china, glass, lamps, small pictures, silverware, bric-a-brac.

Small Carton: books, canned and dry goods, shoes, records, tools.

Medium Carton: lampshades, kitchenware, small appliances, hats.

Large Carton: linens, blankets, pillows, cushions, lamps, toys.

Picture: mirrors, pictures, glass.

Wardrobe: clothes, drapes.

Packing Material: Bekins Moving & Storage uses unprinted newsprint as a good all-purpose wrapping and cushioning material. Printed newspaper, although plentiful, should be used only as an outer wrapping as the ink will rub off and can become embedded in fine china. White unprinted newsprint is sold by the pound and is available from Bekins Moving & Storage.

Black Felt Marker: This, of course, is used for marking your packed cartons. In the case of a local or provincial move , where the boxes will be returned to Bekins Moving & Storage for refund, it is important that you only write on the tape which you have used to seal the box, as marked boxes are non-refundable.

Be sure to put the letters “P.B.O.” (packed by owner) on the tape of your packed cartons so when the van operator takes an inventory of your goods, there won’t be any question as to what you packed and what Bekins Moving & Storage packed.

On each carton write your name, contents, and indicate to which room it should be delivered at destination – such as kitchen, den, dining room, bedroom #1, #2, master bedroom, etc. Mark “Fragile” and “This Side Up” on delicate items.

Sealing Tape: Obtain proper tape from Bekins Moving & Storage or go to your local hardware/department store and purchase carton sealing tape, at least 1-1/2 or 2 inches wide to properly seal top and bottom of cartons.

Packing Cartons: Based on experience, the following chart indicates the quantity of cartons recommended for packing an average household:

Although these may be used as a general guideline, adjustment should be made based on items to be packed.Prohibited Items

Do not pack dangerous or flammable items such as propane tanks, lighter fluid, paint, oily rags, ammunition, matches, charcoal, pool chemicals, bleach, fertilizers, chemistry sets and acid batteries etc. All aerosol cans containing such things as spray paint, oven cleaner, butane lighter fuel, antiperspirant, hair spray etc. will not be accepted for shipping. These could explode and cause severe damage to your possessions, as well as possibly rendering your Transit or Storage Protection invalid. If you have any doubt about what may be a potentially dangerous item, ask your Bekins Moving & Storage Moving Consultant before you pack.

Exceptional Value Items

Do not pack in your cartons items of exceptional value, such as jewelry, precious stones, coin collections, currency, deeds, notes, securities, stocks, bonds, stamp collections, etc. or any articles of intrinsic value. You should take these valuables with you or make other arrangements for their transfer. Be sure to check with your homeowners insurance agent for coverage.

Perishable Items

Check with Bekins Moving & Storage for specific information on moving all types of plants, preserves, canned goods, frozen goods and foodstuffs (potatoes, vegetables etc.)

Liability

Bekins does not assume liability for damage to owner-packed items unless there is visible external damage to the carton that might possibly indicate mishandling, and then only to the declared value of the carton determined by its weight. There is no liability to the carrier for loss of items in owner packed cartons that are delivered. In the event an owner packed carton is lost,the minimum liability to the carrier will be based of the weight of the carton.