One cost you may not be aware when moving is repacking. Every company has the right to check your moving boxes and larger items to ensure they are properly packed. This is a way for them to protect themselves against insurance claims that arise because an improperly-packed article broke during transport.

If the company establishes that your items are not properly packed or protected, they may ask you to repack. However, if time is tight and the inspection doesn’t happen until the moving boxes are already on the moving truck, you may be charged a repacking fee for packing boxes or items like this.

To avoid this, make sure your items are secured and properly placed inside moving boxes. Larger items should be covered with moving blankets or bubble wrap that has been taped in place to prevent movement.

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Your moving boxes are packed, your house is clean and the movers are booked. Is there anything left to do before leaving for your new home? Most than likely, the answer is yes. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you close your door for the last time:

• Do you have any books that need to be returned to the library?
• How about DVDs to the local Blockbuster?
• Do you have clothes at the dry cleaner or local tailor that need to be picked up?
• Does anybody have a spare set of keys for your house that you need to get back for the new owners?
• Have you written down your new address on a piece of paper? Is that piece of paper in your wallet? Don’t rely on your memory to remember the location, especially if you’re moving to a neighborhood you’re not familiar with.
• Do you have a printed map or a set location in your GPS to help plan your route?
• Did you notify the post office of your change of address?
• Are all your medical and financial records stored away in a folder? Is the folder securely stored inside your handbag? Never pack important papers in boxes to be shipped.

With all the stress of packing and moving, it’s easy to forget the little details. Keep a running list of last-minute things that need to be done in order to make the move as stress-free as possible.

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In an effort to save money, you may be tempted to pack your stuff using empty boxes and old blankets. The truth is, however, that moving supplies are usually a lot stronger and better suited for moving and packing than the average boxes you can snatch for free at the corner store.

A good example of this is packing tape, which often comes with its own dispenser to make it easier to tape the moving boxes shut using just one hand. Also, packing tape is water resistant and a lot stronger than most alternatives. This is especially important if you want to ensure moving boxes will not be tampered with or if you need to stamp or write on the tape itself (duct tape, as strong as it is, does not take to writing very well).

Finally, packing boxes are made of corrugated carton which is meant to be strong enough to support even pounds and pounds of books, while regular cardboard boxes may collapse under the weight. Wardrobe moving boxes can also offer better protection for delicate clothing than standard cardboard boxes would.

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Moving boxes can also be used to package water beds and their accessories. Before packing the bed, however, drain it of all water with either an electric pump, the straight siphon method, or a drain pump and faucet adapter. When you think you’re finished, press your hand on the mattress -If a hand print appears, then there is more water to drain.

Keep the mattress plug handy so as soon as you’re finished you can seal the mattress to prevent air from getting inside. If the mattress is a motion-reducing mattress, make certain you do not shift the baffles on the inside. If they do, move them to their original place before you place it into the box.

Next, start at the top of the mattress and fold the mattress into thirds. Once this is done, fold the mattress in half. Surround the mattress with blankets before stowing it. Now the mattress is ready to be put inside the packing boxes.

Afterwards, disassemble the frame and all hardware. Put all hardware in ziplock bags and mark their contents. Wrap and tape the frame pieces in thin cardboard edge protectors to protect them during transit.

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Music can help you with packing your moving boxes

Lets face it, moving and packing is something that not many people want to do. Just like going to exercise, some of us need motivation or at least some good Music to pump us up to start packing boxes for our move. The below is list of “pump you up” songs some of our customers recommended that will help you start getting “Moving” with packing boxes. Please feel free to add your favorites in the comment field.

• Thunderstruck- AC/DC

• Rocky IV: War 
• Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
• In Da Club - 50 Cent
• SexyBack - Justin Timberlake

• Bawitdaba - Kid Rock
• Kickstart My Heart - Motley Crue
• Low - Flo Rida

• Saliva: Click Click Boom
• Metallica: Enter Sandman
• Paradise City - Guns ‘n Roses
• AC-DC: TNT
• Lose Yourself - Eminem
• Pump It - Black Eyed Peas

What music are you listening to when your packing your moving boxes? Please use the comment field below and share.

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If you’re moving cross-country and are carrying a significant amount of items, you should talk to your moving company about the possibility of temporary storage. This is a service offered free of charge by many companies, in which your belongings are stored in a facility, rather than delivered to your new address. This is a great option if you’re moving to a new city but don’t have a place to live yet, or if your new house needs repairs before you can bring your items in.

Temporary storage has its drawbacks, such as reduced insurance (your boxes may not be protected against damage), limited access (you may not be able to go back and forth to the storage place to retrieve items one at a time), added costs (when it’s time to move your moving boxes, you may need to do it yourself or pay an extra charge) and other considerations.

Finally, companies may refuse to store valuable items for you, including pianos, pool tables or electronics. If those are among the items you packed in your cardboard boxes, you need to find out what happens with them and whether the temporary storage option is a good one for you.

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The best way to pack your computer is to use the original box it came in. Unfortunately, few of us ever keep the box, so that may be basically impossible.

1. If you do know somebody who recently bought a computer, though, pick up the phone and ask if they still have the box (you can return it later if they need it).
2. As a second choice, try a find a cardboard moving box that is as close to the size of the computer as possible, so there’s little shifting during the move.
3. Before you even consider putting the machine inside, pad the box itself using lots of bubble wrap plastic on the bottom and the sides of the box. Then wrap the computer in a blanket and add bubble wrap around it, making sure you tape the plastic so it stays put.
4. Once the computer is in the box, fill any empty spaces around it with padding material, such as more bubble wrap or blankets or crumpled up packing paper or foam peanuts.
5. Clearly mark the box as Fragile with permanent markers.
6. Use separate moving boxes for computer accessories such as keyboard, wires, speakers and more.

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• Reuse everything you can. This goes for moving boxes you bought from a previous move to giving things a different use (blankets can be used to wrap delicate items, for example).
• Sometimes it does pay to spend more on moving supplies. For example, buying wardrobe moving boxes may prevent wrinkles or stains in clothes that would otherwise need to be dry-cleaned once you reach your new home.
• Start as early as possible. The more you wait, the more chances you’ll incur on extra charges, such as having to buy packing boxes at full retail price instead of taking advantage of online deals, having to pay more for last-minute moving or dishing too much for a hotel room on the way to your new home because all the cheap ones have been taken.
• Don’t move during the summer if you can avoid it. Moving companies raise their prices during this time because it’s the most popular season and demand is higher. If you can’t do anything about the timing, book well in advance so you can get the best price.
• Inquiry about any hidden costs well in advance. If there are taxes added, ask for an estimate. Find out what happens if you live in an isolate area, if you have stairs and if mileage is included. Negotiate for a full contract that shows the full price to be paid, rather than just the basics.

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Your Body:

• Make sure all moving boxes weigh less than 50 pounds. If possible, try distributing the weight evenly so all sides are similar. Also, make sure the packing boxes are of a size you can handle. If the box is too big for your arms to reach its sides, you’ll be putting additional strain on your back and shoulder to handle the weight.
• Practice picking up the boxes by bending your knees and getting close to the floor.
• Get help if you can’t handle lifting the cardboard boxes yourself. If you have a previous injury or too much stuff to move, consider hiring a moving company that offers full service, so you don’t have to carry anything yourself.
• Get equipment that can make things easier, such as a trolley, dolly or straps.

Your Mind:

• Allow yourself breaks while packing. A 10-minute break for a cold glass of Coke or some fresh air out in the balcony will make a world of difference.
• Ask for help. Your friends and family members may not be able to help you pack the whole house, but even a couple of hours here and there can lower your load.
• Let go of unrealistic expectations. If you’re getting the kids involved, don’t expect perfectly organized packing. And yes, things do go wrong while moving. Take the best you can get and be ready to deal with the unexpected.

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