Packing for your move starts with the right cartons and supplies. Utilizing the right boxes will help insure the safe transport of your belongings to your new home. If you have a relocation approaching in the next 60 days, now is the time to start packing.
TEMS headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut offers complete packing and crating services. Our professional moving crews have years of experience in packing your prized possessions. We are happy to pack just the fragile items or we can pack the entire house.
If you choose to do your own packing, we offer a complete line of packing materials at a reasonable cost and helpful instructions for the do-it-yourself packer. While we do not require the use of our boxes, we strongly recommend that customers use cartons that are strong and can withstand stacking. When packing for your move, we recommend that you follow these tips.
Tip 1:
Tape – Tape the top and bottom of each carton with at least two strips. You may also tape the seams for additional strength. We recommend using professional packing tape measuring 1½” to 2” in width for stability. Do not use masking tape!
Tip 2:
Paper – Use plenty of paper. All breakable items should be wrapped individually in paper. Paper should be used to cushion the bottom, sides, and top of cartons. Professional packing paper is recommended. This is unmarked newsprint and comes in 25 lb. bundles. While newsprint will protect most properly packed items, bubble wrap offers the ultimate protection for those extra fragile items. Due to the high cost of bubble wrap, use careful consideration on which items to use it on.
Tip 3:
Labeling – We recommend using a thick permanent ink marker. Clearly label all cartons on the top and on two adjacent sides with your name, the room in which the box belongs, and a brief summary of the contents. Pack similar items together. Clearly label all boxes containing breakable items as FRAGILE.
Tip 4:
Correctly Fill Cartons – Fill all boxes to the top without overfilling. Boxes with items sticking over the top cannot be properly closed or stacked. Cartons that are underfilled tend to crush when stacked. Always make sure each carton is filled totally to the top before closing. A small space at the top can be filled with paper, a towel, blanket, or other similar item.
Tip 5:
Close Cartons and Seal Shut – Cartons should be closed-top and sealed with tape to prevent damage and make stacking easier. Keep the weight of each box under 50 pounds.
Tip 6:
Carton Usage – When using containers, please reference these guidelines for box usage.
- Book Carton (1.5 cu. ft.) – Books, magazines, records, CDs, canned goods, tools, and small heavy items
- Medium Carton (3.0 cu. ft.) – Small appliances, cooking utensils, linens, lamps, non-perishable food, pots and pans, games, small pictures, and lampshades
- Large Carton (4.5 cu. ft.) – Basically anything that won’t fit in the above boxes; cookie sheets, blankets, clothes, taller lampshades, linens, and non-fragile items
- Extra Large Carton (6.0 cu. ft.) – Bulky articles, pillows, comforters, cushions, baskets, and plastic toys
- Dishpack – Designed for fragile items such as china, plates, bowls, saucers (on bottom layer) and glasses, crystal, and fragile figurines (on top layer).
- Wardrobe – Each wardrobe carton holds approximately 20” of hanging clothing and allows clothes to be hung on a metal bar inside the carton.
- Mattress Carton – Protects mattresses and box springs from damage or soiling
- Mirror or Picture Carton – Designed to adjust to different sized pictures, mirrors, and other fragile, flat items.
If you have questions on proper packing techniques, contact TEMS at (203) 936-8874. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the packing process.