Moving & Packing Tips

Packing and moving all your stuff can be an overwhelming task. Here are some tips from Frey's Moving Company to make the entire process easy and hassle-free.

Frey's Moving is a family company that runs successfully on honesty, integrity, and transparency. Added to our success is clear and concise communication. Here is the Important Moving Information Booklet for you to review, print, or reference. Click the button below to view the document.

Frey's Moving Company

Special Reminders

  • We move a variety of household goods. However, we do not transport hazardous chemicals including paint, fuels, oils, insecticides, cleaners, solvents, etc. Kindly dispose of such materials or transport them with you.

  • Remember to drain lawnmowers and other small gas-powered tools before pick-up.

  • Pack audio-video equipment in their original boxes if possible. We recommend taking a quick picture of how everything was wired before disconnecting and packing. This makes it convenient for you to set everything up in your new residence.

  • Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile items and to fill top space in each box.

  • If you are removing screws from furniture, put the hardware in a ziplock bag and tape them securely to the objects they are removed from. We would also be happy to disassemble and assemble any furniture for you.

  • Have rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in wrappings for the move.

  • Do not water potted plants for two days before the move date in order to prevent leaks and minimize weight. Do not water larger pots over 10 gallons for one week.

Packing Tips
  • Put on some of your favorite music and sing along.

  • Dress in cool and comfortable clothing.

  • Drink plenty of water and fresh drinks.

  • Lift with your legs, not your back.

Get Started
  • Get started as early as possible. Three weeks before your move date would be good enough.

  • Estimate the number of boxes, the size of boxes, and material (tape, paper, markers, bubble wrap, etc.) you will need. If you’d like some guidance, we are happy to assist you.

  • All packed boxes should be sturdy and must have closed lids, allowing us to stack them properly in our moving truck. When you tape them, make sure the tape is secured ¼ of the boxes length. We also suggest you cross the tapes on each end of the box like an addition sign “ +.”

General Packing
  • Put heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in large boxes. For example, books should be packed in boxes no larger than 1.5 cubic feet.

  • Heavier items should be packed at the bottom of the box and lighter items at the top.

  • Wrap any breakable items with wrapping paper or bubble wrap. Be sure to provide some cushion, by crunching some of the paper between items. Write FRAGILE in big letters where appropriate.

  • Secure the top and bottom of each box with plenty of tapes.

  • Label all boxes by room and contents in detail.

  • Pack irreplaceable (like heirlooms) or highly valuable items (like financial records) by yourself and transport them with you so that you can have positive control and continuous custody of these items.

  • Do not pack hazardous or flammable materials. Dispose these or transport them separately.

  • Purchase mattress bags for mattress and box springs.

Kitchenware
  • Use a dish pack with an inserted cell kit. This combination of reinforced box and dividers makes for a very secure container to hold dishes of all shapes and sizes.

  • Wrap each item in wrapping paper or bubble wrap before placing it in the container.

  • Do not pack any open containers with liquids.

Pictures
  • Use mirror pack, so that it can be cut and be taped to size.

  • Wrap glass-covered pictures with wrapping paper and bubble wrap, and label them as “FRAGILE”.

  • Never put paper on oil paintings.

Lamps
  • Pack lampshades in a separate box.

  • Dispose of old bulbs.

When You Finish
  • Make sure that the boxes are labeled by room and contents.

  • Stack your boxes in the corner of each room. Reduced loading time means more money saved.

  • Label each box and indicate the following:

  • Which room should it go in?

  • Is it fragile?

  • Should it be loaded last so that it can be unloaded first?

  • We recommend labeling your boxes with the following:

  • Bed 1

  • Bed 2

  • Bed 3

  • Bath 1

  • Bath 2

  • Garage

  • Living room

  • Kitchen

  • While at your new house, use a sticky note that is labeled and placed at the door jam of each living area. This will avoid confusions as to where to set your valuables. This ultimately cuts time from your bill.

Moving Tips
  • Transfer utilities and services to your new home.

  • Change your mailing and billing information for banks, any types of online services used (eBay, Amazon, etc.), place of employment, insurance providers, and the DMV (your ID/Driver’s license) to name a few.

  • Complete repair work in your current residence and arrange for any work needed at your new home.

  • If you’re going to pack all your valuables, then you need to start immediately. In most cases, the packing process takes a lot longer than expected

  • Contact your children's schools and arrange to have records transferred to the new school district if needed.

  • Contact homeowner's insurance company to cancel current coverage or transfer existing coverage.

  • Make arrangements for a babysitter on moving day if needed.

  • Arrange to transfer all medical prescriptions to a pharmacy nearest to your new residence.

  • If you are moving long distance and traveling by automobile, have it professionally serviced.

  • Cancel or transfer any residual delivery services such as newspapers, magazines, water delivery, etc.

  • Empty secret hiding places, remove valuables, spare house keys, money, etc.

  • Have all items boxed up & labeled

  • Place all boxes in one location

  • Beds should be unmade

  • Empty refrigerator

  • Children and pets should be at Grandmas

  • Vehicles moved out of driveway & away from house

  • Do not schedule movers at the same time as contractors, painters, cleaning crew, etc.

  • Pack a “first night” box & keep it with you

  • Take all small valuables, breakables, heirlooms in your vehicle with you

Start Early
  • Please plan grocery shopping in order to avoid packing a lot of food. Be sure to have your refrigerators unplugged and defrosted.

  • If you haven’t started packing, you’re cutting it close. Give us a call to help or set aside a couple of days with friends and family to get it done.

  • As mentioned earlier, if you have young children, don’t forget to arrange for a babysitter on the day of relocation. Trust us, it’ll save time and money.

  • Remove any fixtures (showerheads, faucets, ceiling fans, window blinds) you are taking with you or buy new ones.

On Moving Day

If you've hired Frey's Moving for help, all you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy your refreshments, while we do what we do best!

  • Be sure to be accessible on your cell phone before the move: you can expect a call from one of our crew before the crew arrives to give ETA.

  • Be available to answer questions and give directions to the movers.

  • Be present until the move is finished.

Frey's Moving Company