A Guide To Moving

Once you are ready to move go through your home and pull out items you don't need or use. It is a great time to either sell or donate items that are no longer of use to you. This will reduce unnecessary packing and give you more time to concentrate on your move.

Part of moving is to ensure all aspects have been handled, so please remember:

Send out change of address cards to friends, creditors, magazines and the postal service.

Update your change of address with DMV, the bank, church, schools, insurance and other organizations.

Submit stop and start dates for services such as electricity, gas, water, telephone, cable/satellite, newspaper and trash/recycling.

How To Pack

Let us do it or do it yourself - we can supply the materials you need! If you decide to do it, do it early and carefully so there aren't any surprises when you unpack.) Be sure to seal your boxes top and bottom. Mark all cartons according to room and contents. Use newspaper as padding only for items that won't be stained by ink.

DON'T PACK VALUABLES such as money, jewelry, or important papers. Set them aside and carry them with you as you move.

PLEASE BE ADVISED our insurance only covers items we have packed or where the box has been damaged by mishandling. Ask for the alternative level of liability for your valuables.

APPLIANCES

Many major appliances require special care in disconnection and packing, especially refrigerators and washing machines. Only the gas company should disconnect gas dryers or stoves.

Defrost your refrigerator or freezer a few days prior to moving and dry the interior. Use baking soda or leave several drops of vanilla extract in a cotton ball to reduce odors. Remove glass trays/containers and pack them separately.

Wrap paper around each shelf and allow it to hang over the edge facing the door to prevent scratching and chipping.

Small appliances should be packed in their original containers or small cartons. They may also be padded and placed in the bottom of large utility cartons.

BEDS

We can disassemble beds or you can. If you do it, we advise you mark the pieces so you know how they go together. Mattress and box spring bags are available upon request.

BOOKS

They're very heavy so use our book boxes or a small sturdy box.

BUREAUS/ARMOIRES

Except for antiques, fill the drawers with linens and clothes only. EMPTY ANTIQUES TOTALLY. Place all hardware, screws to mirrors, etc., securely in the top right-hand drawer.

CLOTHES

Anything that normally hangs in your closet should travel that way - hanging in a wardrobe carton. We provide FREE wardrobe cartons.

DISHES & GLASSWARE

Pack carefully and use sturdy containers such as our china barrels. Place two or three inches of padding in the bottom of the container. Don't skimp with good china or crystal. Wrap each dish separately in at least two layers of paper. The layer of paper on the piece needs to be packing paper - the outside may be newspaper. Start by placing wrapped pieces at the edge of the container and work in toward the center.

Stand your dishes on edge, not flat. Pack within a few inches of the top. Fill this space with cushioning material, then seal the top and bottom.

FIREARMS & FLAMABLES

We can not carry any firearms or flammables! Plan to take these in your car.

KITCHENWARE

Wrap in double thickness of newspaper and place in a china barrel with heavier items on the bottom.

LAMPS

Disassemble and pack the bases in china barrels padded with clothing, linen or paper. Wrap the shades separately in clean tissue paper and place them in individual lamp shade boxes.

LINENS, BEDDING & DRAPES

Linens are heavy so please pack them in medium cartons. Bedding and drapes should be folded and packed in medium cartons or placed on hangers and moved in a wardrobe carton.

MIRRORS & PAINTINGS

We can pack them or you can crate them. You may also wrap them in heavy cardboard, but mark as delicate so we know to be especially careful.

MEDICINE CABINET/ TOILETRIES

Secure all tops, caps, and corks. Use clear nail polish around edges to seal medicine bottles. For added protection, tape the tops closed. Pack with newspaper and mark the containers as "FRAGILE".

RUGS & PADS

We can roll and shrink wrap them or you can tie them with twine. Small rugs may be rolled together or rolled inside a larger rug. Vacuum rugs and pads before rolling them up!

ELECTRONICS

Electronics should be packed in original cartons. If they are not available, ask one of the consultants which cartons they recommend.

TOOLS

Power tools should be dismantled as much as possible. The parts should be packed separately to reduce weight and damage. Hand tools and small garden tools should go into cartons. Tie long-handled rakes, shovels, and hoes together.

TABLES

If possible, remove the legs from tables and tie them together. Seal the hardware in an envelope and tape it to the underside of the tabletop.

We carry a full line of moving equipment, packing materials, and supplies!

Item	Use
Small Box	For small, heavy items: books, CD's, videos, tools, canned goods
Medium Box	Multi-purpose: kitchen or office supplies, clothing, toys, small appliances, electronics
Office Tote	Specially designed for office files or paperwork
Large Box	Great for bulky items: pillows, linens, games, baskets, large light-weight knick-knacks
Dish Packs	Heavy duty boxes with dividers for dishes, china, and other fragile or valuable items
Mirror Cartons	For large pictures, mirrors, glass, or marble table tops
Lamp Cartons	Tall boxes used for floor lamps, floor fans, and tall plants
Wardrobe Box	Complete with metal bar for moving and storing items on hangers
Packing Paper	For wrapping and protecting all your items before you place them in boxes (sold in 25 lb. packs)
Paper Pads	Thick pads used inside mirror cartons (we recommend two pads per carton)
Tape	Heavy duty tape for securing all boxes

REMEMBER TO:

- Send out change of address cards to friends, creditors, magazines, and the U.S. Post Office.
- Update your change of address for your driver's license, bank, church, schools, insurance, and other organizations.
- Submit stop and start dates for services such as electricity, gas, water, telephone, cable/satellite, laundry, newspaper, recycling, and trash.

Washington, D.C. METRO Business Contact Information:

- Dominion Virginia Power, 1-888-667-3000
- Washington Gas, 1-800-752-7520
- Cox Communications, 1-866-811-4400, www.coxcommunications.com
- Comcast, 1-703-730-2225, www.comcast.com
- Washington Post, 1-800-477-4679, www.washingtonpost.com
- Washington Times, 1-202-636-3000, www.washingtontimes.com
- USA Today, www.usatoday.com
- DIRECTV, 1-800-201-1006, www.directv.com