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Ottawa Movers: Advice on How to Pack

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Three children help their parents unpack their belongings after moving

Packing Tips from Ottawa
Moving Professionals

 If you’re packing for your own move, we’ve put together helpful tips and tricks to help guide you through your upcoming move.

At First Rate Movers in Ottawa, we also offer professional packing services. Hiring professional packers can take a lot of the stress out of a move. Our packing services are based on an hourly rate for labour plus materials used. Contact us today to find out how you can shift more of the burden away and make your moving experience as stress-free as possible.

Should you wish to pack your own items, please check out the section
below for Packing Tips from First Rate Movers.

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Packing List for Your Ottawa Move

Are you preparing for an upcoming Ottawa move? For local moves or moves to/from Ottawa, you can make
packing your things a lot easier with these simple techniques.

It will pay off in the long run! Sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts can all be purchased at local moving or shipping companies. Wardrobe boxes and other specialty boxes can be found there too. Sturdy boxes can also be retrieved from wholesale companies, at no charge, after a shipment. Other great types of reasonably priced padding for your boxes include wadded-up newspaper, old pillows and blankets. The following is a list of tools and materials to make your packing go more smoothly:

 

  • Razor knife and/or scissors
  • Note pad
  • Permanent marker
  • Assorted Boxes
  • Packing tape
  • Bubble wrap
  • Newspaper or packing paper

Pack one room at a time, labelling each box appropriately (on top and side) with a description of its contents and which room the box belongs in. Also, label boxes containing breakable or sentimental items with “Fragile.” Keep a detailed list of items packed in each box to make unpacking easier.

Obviously, not everything will fit in boxes. As a general rule, everything that can fit in a box, should be in a box prior to moving day. All furniture and major appliances will be wrapped and padded by your moving professional. Items requiring professional disassembly and/or crating (such as slate pool tables, chandeliers or large glass table tops) are best left to the professionals.

Empty all drawers and cupboards of contents. To safeguard against unnecessary damage, it’s a good idea to put all furniture knobs, feet, screws, etc. in one container that you can keep with you so the parts won’t get lost.

There are a variety of materials available, including bubble wrap and tissue. However, most professionals use bundles of clean, unprinted newsprint. Plates, books and things of a similar shape, should be loaded vertically to utilize their own maximum structural strength. Don’t overload cartons; keep them to a manageable weight. Fill in any voids and top off loaded cartons with wadded paper, then tape cartons securely.

Make sure the moving boxes are firmly packed, with heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top. This will also ensure that lighter items are not damaged or crushed during transit.

Pack according to the season if you’ll be putting some boxes in storage. Mark boxes accordingly so that when you arrive at your destination you can easily sort and unpack your items.

Put heavy items in small boxes so that they’re easier to carry.

Plan ahead for what you’ll need the first day after your move. Packing a separate bag with your toiletries, a change of clothes, etc. will prevent unnecessary scrambling or a run to the local store.