Moving Tips
The most important tip: Plan ahead!
This will give you and the mover as many options as possible.
- Make sure your moving crew has a working phone number for you at all times.
- Pack a box containing items you will need immediately upon arrival at your new home - toilet paper, soap, light bulbs, paper towels, etc.
- Dressers will be moved with the drawers full - make sure you remove any breakables and/or valuables.
- Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, etc.
- Drain fuel from any lawnmowers and other machinery, and discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner or other substances that might leak.
- Carefully tape and place in individual waterproof bags any jars of liquid you plan to take with you.
- Refillable tanks must be purged and sealed by a local propane gas dealer.
- Discard non-refillable tanks.
- Palmer Moving & Storage does not permit shipment of any propane tanks.
- Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.
- Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify their value.
- Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques and fine wood furniture prior to moving because some products may soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.
- Think twice before dismantling your outside TV antennae or dish; a new one may cost less than moving the present one.
- Third-party servicing will likely be needed before moving such items as hot tubs, large-screen TVs and some exercise equipment.
- Contact us about PRE and POST move servicing of washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, grandfather clock, hot tubs, satellite dish, etc.
- APPLIANCES: Refrigerators, automatic washers, dryers, water softeners and other such appliances - ask your appliance dealer whether they will need servicing for the move. Small appliances should be placed in boxes.
- BEDDING, CUSHIONS & PILLOWS: Should be packed in boxes.
- BOOKS: Pack books in small, strong, securely taped boxes. DO NOT pack in dresser drawers! Remove loose shelves from bookcases.
- CHINA: Wrap china and all fragile items in newspaper or white newsprint and pack in strong barrels or dish pack containers. Stand plates on end. Pack heaviest items on the bottom. Palmer has newsprint available for sale, if desired.
- DRAWERS: Dresser and chest drawers with clothing or soft items such as linens can remain in the drawers. However, they should not be overloaded. All breakable and spillable items should be removed and packed in cartons.
- FROZEN FOODS: The driver is not responsible for these items on long distance moves. However, on local moves, this will not be a problem, as long as your goods are being delivered the same day they were picked up.
- HOUSE PLANTS: It is best to move plants in your car. The driver is not responsible for plants.
- LINENS: Linens, curtains, blankets and wearing apparel are best placed in strong cases, cartons or trunks. Drapes can be hung in wardrobe cartons.
- MIRRORS & PICTURES: Mirrors, valuable pictures and ornamental table tops (marble and glass) should be padded, wrapped and placed in specially designed containers. The crew will remove such items and set back up again at destination.
- PAINTS & AEROSOL CANS: NOT to be packed or shipped.
- POTS & PANS: Pack kitchen utensils in barrels (dish packs). Stove drawers must be emptied.
- REFRIGERATORS: To help reduce those odors in your refrigerator during transit, place an open box of baking soda on a shelf or a secured bag of coffee grounds.
- RUGS: It is not necessary for you to remove your rugs from floors. The crew will take care of them.
- VALUABLES: Remove all valuables such as jewelry, legal documents, liquor, etc. Your mover cannot be responsible for such items.
- WALL FIXTURES & BRACKETS: Movers are not allowed to remove any items that are affixed to walls.
If you choose to perform your own packing, remember light but bulky articles should be placed in large containers. Heavy items such as books and canned goods should go in small containers. Use cartons with tops so they can be taped. Palmer has all packing materials available, if needed.
Do not pack above the edge of the containers. They have to be placed one on top of the other inside the truck. Loaded cartons should not weight more than 50 pounds.
Mark all cartons showing contents clearly and into which room they belong at destination. This will speed up unpacking.
Separate items that are not to go in the truck and let the driver know. Mark: "DO NOT MOVE"
BEFORE THE MOVE: Notify your post office, newspaper carrier, publishers, etc. Order your telephone, gas and electricity changed or disconnected. Transfer your fire/homeowners insurance.
REMEMBER: Plan ahead! Make your arrangements as soon as possible.
