You should try and only use proper moving boxes. If you decide to do your own packing or partial packing, remember that the moving company is not liable for damage to boxes packed by the customer.

A Moving Box is not just another Box - The corrugated boxes that are used for moving are not just the common standard boxes that you see in many retail stores. While it can be tempting to use the cheapest boxes and packing supplies available, the quality of boxes and supplies that you use will likely have a big impact on whether your items arrive safely and securely into a storage facility or into your new home. If possible, you should try to choose only boxes that are specially designed to be used for moving. What makes moving boxes different from other boxes is that they are designed specifically for loading and transporting items onto a truck.

What is a Moving Box Made of?- Moving boxes are constructed out of thick single or double wall-corrugated cardboard. The thicker the wall of the box the stronger the box and the more it can hold. As you would expect, these boxes are slightly more expensive as the production of the box involved a greater density of materials, but however provide you with comfort that the box with your household belongings is strong enough to survive the move. Standard Boxes are not designed to be used for moving and should be avoided, if possible.

i. All delicate items should be wrapped with newswrap individually.

ii. Use bubble wrap on crystal or very sensitive items before packing into cartons.

iii. Pack cartons tight with enough cushioning between items.

iv. Ensure that cartons are properly sealed and binded at the bottom prior to packing the carton.

v. NB paper is heavy - mix cartons with paper (books, etc) with other not to heavy items to ensure a safe all over weight.

vi. Mark cartons with room / name of person, inventory, etc for identification and re-distribution afterwards.

vii. Ensure cartons are left on a dry place.

viii. Pack cartons from heavy at the bottom to light at the top and big at the bottom to small on top.

i. Bubble wrap protects furniture against bumps, dust and scratches Use on: Polished finishes, glass, tables, cabinets, portraits, TV, microwave, etc.

ii. Plastic covers protects beds and couches against dirt, scratching & water.

(These hints will contribute towards a seamless move)

Packing

i. Inspect your home from top to bottom and discard anything you are not planning to keep.

ii. Ensure all cabinets, fridges, etc. are emptied. iii. Ensure all doors and drawers of cabinets, fridges, desks, etc are locked/tightened for these items will most probably be carried on its side or tilted.

iv. Do not leave keys on cabinet doors, fridges etc as they may get lost with the move

v. Ensure all wiring is disconnected and that wires are marked. vi. Ensure all globes are taken out and packed properly (display cabinets, lamps, etc).

vii. Ensure all loose table tops, shelves, fridge shelves, are taken out or properly tied.

viii. Ensure that nothing is left on top of any furniture (fridges, wall units, etc)

ix. Dismantle larger furniture, for it will not only save space, but also minimize the risk of bumping walls, furniture, etc when moving in or out of rooms, house, and truck.

x. Move smaller items/furniture to centralized areas (this will help to ensure a faster and hassle free move).

xi. Ensure valuables are locked away or preferably moved by you (firearms must be moved by yourself - consult your nearest Police Station regarding the law on Firearms and Ammunition and help in this regard).

New and Old Address:

i. Arrange keys, remotes, and codes.

ii. Arrange electricity.

iii. Arrange water.

iv. Arrange cleaning of premises.

v. Arrange for Furniture Removal Truck entrance (service gates, parking, etc).

Plants make us all feel alive and well. They are attractive to look at and when we move we may have an emotional attachment to them and often wish to take them with us. Whether it’s a small potted plant on a window sill or a larger garden plant there are ways to move plants safely and carefully to prevent them from breaking or even worse, dying. It is critical to pack them very carefully as they are generally not covered by insurance. Be sure to inform us of all your plants. Plants take up a lot of room in a truck as they cannot be stacked on top of each other and we need to know this upfront.

Several weeks before moving you should begin getting your plants ready for the journey by pruning them to help ease of packing and remove any straggly bits. Do not prune ferns or succulents. Different plants need to be pruned differently and it is recommended that you consult a gardening book or your local nursery for the correct method for pruning your plants.

If necessary, re-pot plants into non-breakable plastic containers. Be sure to clean the new pots thoroughly as they may contain thriving pest communities of their own depending on what was last planted in the pot. There is nothing worse than seeing your favourite plant destroyed due to a pot breaking en route. Terra cotta pots are notoriously easy to break so treat them gently