Best Practices - Preparing unboxed items for storage.
Unboxed items require special attention to protect them during the moving/storing process. Below are the best practices to ensure your items return in the same shape they were picked up.
Topics covered in this article
Electronics
Furniture
Smaller Items
Electronics Preparation
Topics covered in this section.
All electronic items should be prepared for storage with their original packaging. Our Declared Value Policy does not include damages caused by inappropriate packaging. If shipping you will require additional specialized packaging to protect them on their journey.
Fridge
Unplug your refrigerator and leave the doors open at least 2 days prior to your selected move out day. Wipe dry all wetness with a clean towel to ensure that it has completely defrosted so that it does not mold or leak water on other items.
Wrap the cord up and tape it securely behind the coils so that it does not drag or tear. Make sure to secure the drawers and shelves inside as they may shift during the move.
Am additional fee will be assessed if the refrigerator is not defrosted adequately due to the additional handling needed by our movers before it’s placed into storage.
*Movers have the right to refuse to accept any refrigerator that is deemed unhandle-able due to unsanitary conditions.
Microwaves, Small Appliances
For best results, pack your computer and monitor in its original packaging.
If original packaging is not available, Remove unsecured parts such as a microwave glass tray, or blender lid/slicers, wrap with newspaper, bubble wrap, or blankest/towels, and store in a box with other items. Place item in a box with other relevant items to create a firmly filled box.
Televisions
If original packaging is unavailable, Remove the legs with screws and pack with remote in a box with other items. Use Bubble wrap or stretch wrap to protect screen and wrap blanket around it. Our team will have moving blankets to provide additional protection.
Computers/Monitors
If original packaging is not available remove components and wiring and pack inside a box. Wrap with blankets or bubble wrap. Our local team will have moving blankets to help protect them.
Do not pack computers or monitors in boxes with other items. Road movement may cause items to resettle in the box causing potential for damages from items with sharp corners.
Furniture Preparation
Topics covered in this section.
All multi piece furniture items must be broken down(disassembled) before the movers arrive on the scheduled day. Our movers do not carry tools with them. Extra fees will apply if we have to wait as we are on a tight schedule.
Beds and Futons
Furniture that breaks down into multiple pieces are billed separately for each piece.
Futons that are 2 pieces will be billed as 2 items in the relevant pricing tier.
Bed Frames may have anywhere from 1-10 pieces depending on size and type of bed. Smaller pieces such as similarly shaped rails and slats may be taped together to be regarded as one item.
It is recommended that mattresses should be wrapped in plastic to keep dirt and dust away.
Please have mattresses wrapped in a mattress bag before the movers arrive. They may be found anywhere that sells boxes or online. If unable to have mattress wrapped before the movers arrive, there will be a $35 per mattress packing fee and may be wrapped in the truck if needed.
Please let us know as early as possible if this will be required as our local partners need to make sure materials are on the truck.
Desks and Furniture
Items such as Desks and shelves that are made with pressure board (such as IKEA) will not be covered by our insurance.
Make sure to cover any finished surfaces of your furniture with either bubble wrap or cardboard.
Empty drawers and cabinets of all items.
Secure all drawers and doors so that they do not open or separate during the move (tape is not suggested)
Remove any separable shelves and tape them together tightly. Pack hardware in a sandwich baggie and pack into a box.
Smaller Unboxed Items
Topics covered in this section.
Lamps
It is highly recommended to use plenty of cushioning when packing fragile items such as glass.
Remove bulbs and glass lampshades and pack in a box with bubble wrap.
Wrap both lampshade and lamp base with bubble wrap. Place in a box if it fits.
If the lamp does not fit in a box leave as it is and we will have moving blankets when we come.
Do not pack heavy bulky items in the same box as a lamp. Best to fill all spaces with clothing until tight.
Rugs
Roll the rug up tightly with the top side facing in. Tape it securely on both ends and the center. Wrap in plastic to keep dirt and dust off.
Small rugs may be rolled up together as 1 item.
We are unable to ship unboxed rugs at this time.
Bags, Bins, Backpacks, and Luggage
Please consider that bags and luggage pieces may be smaller than one of our boxes but will be billed the same. empty bags may be stuffed into boxes with other items.
Some plastic storage containers can be stacked 3 high (maximum) and taped together as 1 item for storage.The total size cannot exceed the following dimensions: 18 X 18 X 22 when stacked.If your plastic storage containers exceed the above dimensions, they will need to be stored as individual items.
Our system does not recognize whether a container is filled or empty and you are billed the same either way.
Fill luggage that is comparable to our box in size as they are billed the same regardless if empty or not.
Trash Cans, laundry baskets, and Racks
These items that do not conveniently fill a box may be put into bags/luggage if they fit. Tape together broom/mop handles to consolidate as one item.
*Often it may be more efficient to discard and replace unboxed small inexpensive items than to store them.
Mirrors
Due to their tendency to break, Mirrors are not covered by our insurance. It is suggested to discard and replace inexpensive mirrors.
Specialty boxes from any local supplier may be used with plenty of bubble wrap to store mirrors.
Bicycles
Make sure to bring the bike to your room to ensure it is not forgotten. Our moving team is on a tight schedule and may not be able to go to the garage, or bike racks to collect your bike.
Do not dismantle unless you have a custom box for shipping. bubble wrap handlebars and pedals to prevent shape edges that can damage other items.
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