Atlas General Moving Tips
- Make your moving arrangements 6-8 weeks prior to move date.
- Never plan to move in on your “closing” day as there may be delays.
- Go through your home before the moving consultant comes to do their survey. Decide what is being moved, donated, or discarded.
- If you are doing some/all of your own packing, arrange to get started well in advance of the move.
- If you are doing some/all of your own packing, your Atlas Agent can provide you with a complete range of cartons and packing materials at a reasonable cost.
- Properly dispose of all “Dangerous Goods”, such as bleach and propane. They are not admissible on the moving van.
- Use up food from your freezer and pantry. Clean your freezer and refrigerator 24- 48 hours prior to the move to give these appliances time to properly dry.
- Make sure you have/or obtain written appraisal for antiques, high-value artwork, etc. to verify their value prior to the move. Provide a copy to your Atlas moving consultant.
- Movers do not remove items affixed to ceilings and walls. Remove drapery tracks, curtain rods, blinds or other such items, before the packers/movers arrive.
Packing With Atlas
Proper packing is crucial for a successful move, which is why many families entrust their most valuable possessions to the professionals, especially for long-distance relocations. When you choose Atlas Canada for packing and unpacking, you’re putting your belongings in the hands of skilled experts. Our trained packers use premium-quality cartons and specialized materials designed to provide the highest level of protection, ensuring your items arrive safely at their destination.
Professional Training and Care
When you trust Atlas Canada to handle your packing, you can count on receiving:
✓ Formally trained Atlas Professional Packers who bring everything required to do the job.
✓ Extensive knowledge of which packing materials are the best for which items, including proven materials and procedures to safeguard even the most delicate pieces.
Your Atlas Professional Packer Will:
✓ Use the professional-grade packing materials listed above for optimal protection and ease of handling.
✓ Advise you on which things you should pack and move yourself, such as important papers, keys and valuables.
✓ Notify you of which items cannot be moved, such as chemicals and hazardous materials.
Atlas Packing Materials
• S, M, L and Wardrobe Cartons
• Mirror/Picture Cartons
• Wooden Crates
• Mattress Bags
• TV Cartons
• Packing Paper
• Side Carton Labels
• Sealing Tape
Best Practices For Packing Yourself
We strongly recommend using Atlas’ professional packing service for your china and other fragile items to ensure they are safely packed. However, if you prefer to pack some or all of your belongings yourself, the expert packing tips in this brochure will help guide you through the process. Your Atlas Canada Agent can also supply a full range of cartons and packing materials at an affordable price, making it easier for you to pack with confidence.
Liability
Atlas does not assume liability for damage to owner-packed items unless there is visible external damage to the carton. In addition, items not packed by Atlas which would usually require carton/crate protection (i.e.: glass table tops, marble tables) are also excluded from coverage.
General Packing Tips:
- Gather all your packing supplies including: various carton sizes, tissue paper, tape, scissors, pack labels, marker, etc.
- Allow yourself sufficient time to complete the job.
- Begin by packing the out of season items, then the seldom used items, and lastly the things that will be used until the very last minute.
- Create a box labelled “set-up” which includes all the must have items on move day such as medication, toiletries, paper plates and utensils, bed sheets, clothing, etc.
- Place like items within a carton and keep all parts or pairs together.
- Put curtain rod hardware, screws and bolts, and other small parts in a plastic bag and tape or tie it to the article.
- When filling a carton, do not exceed 50 lbs., fill the box to the top to prevent crushing during transit, and ensure all cartons close flat.
- Be sure to back-up all computer files. Disconnect all wiring and cables and draw a simple diagram or colour-code before disconnecting to make reconnection easier.
- Dresser drawers can also be utilized for some light clothing but all other items should be removed from the dresser drawers and packed in cartons.
Packing Your Breakables:
For these fragile items, you should use china cartons or sturdy, medium size cartons with 3”-4” of crumpled packing paper in the bottom of the carton for additional cushioning.
Consider the following packing tips for ultimate protection of your breakables:
- Individually wrap each piece of glass whether it is a plate, bowl, cup, etc. Stack 2-4 to a group (using your own judgement) and wrap them again in a double layer of packing paper.
- Plates can form the bottom tier or layer of the carton, followed by bowls in the next layer and finally by cups, glassware, goblets and other light, fragile items.
- Separate each layer in the carton with a cushion of paper and ensure that each wrapped piece is snug in its layer to prevent movement.
- Fill empty space with crushed paper as well as hollow breakables.
- Use wooden crates and linens to protect mirrors, large pictures, glass table tops, etc.
- Mark the top of the carton with “Fragile” and “This Side Up”.