Careful packing is one of the most important aspects of your move. Well-packed household goods stand little chance of being damaged. Also, packing room by room can help to make unpacking and storage much less of a chore.

Whether you have North Shore Movers do the packing or you do it yourself depends upon your circumstances. Some people simply do not have the time to devote to what can be an intimidating task. In such cases, North Shore provides the finest in safe and professional packing services. But for families on a budget, self-packing can mean considerable savings.

Even if you choose to do the packing yourself, you might still consider having North Shore pack the more delicate or fragile items - such as dishes , crystal, lamps, etc. You enjoy the security of having these more costly items professionally packed while reducing your costs by doing the bulk of the job yourself.

Tips on Self Packing-Cushioning

The most important aspect of packing is good wrapping and cushioning material. NEVER USE NEWSPAPERS! Newspaper ink has a tendency to rub off on everything it touches and can be almost impossible to remove from items like fine china.

Professional packers like North Shore's use "newsprint" (unprinted newspaper) as cushioning material. You can get newsprint from your local North Shore Agent or, in many instances, from your local newspaper.

The amount of newsprint you use depends on the items being packed. Obviously, towels or sheets in a carton require no packing material at all. For dishes or fragile items, a layer of crumpled paper should be used to line the bottom of the carton to a depth of approximately four inches. Each item should be individually wrapped - with crushed paper between items as needed. For more information on packing specific items and items not to pack, please contact us and we will send you a FREE brochure full of hints and tips which also includes a packing checklist & planning guide.

Labeling

Use a heavy marking pen for easy reading. On carton tip, list major items such as "Good China" or "Crystal." On carton side near the top, mark which room carton goes into. Mark "FRAGILE" on all four sides if the carton contains breakables. Cartons that contain fragile items or liquids should be marked "THIS END UP" on carton tops and arrows pointing up should be placed on all fours sides.