MOVING? THE BOXES ARE ALWAYS THE PROBLEM

With care and planning, you and your stuff will both arrive in mint condition. Most damage comes from vibration. Think of a stack of dishes in a moving box on the bed of a bouncing truck. No matter how well the sides are padded, a firm up-and-down jolt could crack the entire stack. On the other hand, dishes packed on edge and surrounded by bubble wrap have a better chance of surviving the trip unharmed.

In the long run, it pays to purchase the right packing materials. Sturdy moving boxes, Packing Tape, Bubble Wrap, and Packing Paper are worth the money. A Tape Dispenser may help you move along quicker. Supplement with copious amounts of blankets and pillows; even clothing can serve as a buffer between breakable objects. There should be no empty space in a box, however don't overpack the moving box either.

Use the right moving box. A good packing job starts with strong, sturdy moving boxes. Moving boxes have a seal on the bottom that gives their strength and capacity. That seal will indicate a weight limit and an "Edge Crush Test" rating. 32ect is standard for most moving boxes. 44ect is standard for most wardrobe boxes and larger specialty boxes.

Use heavy-duty packing tape (not masking tape) for the boxes as well as for taping things together (like broom handles).