Moving Tips
The Inventory Process
A complete inventory of all your possessions will be performed by a trained North American agent identifying the number and condition of these possessions.
At origin, the inventory procedure must be accomplished jointly by the van operator and you.
You must be present during inventory completion and sign each individual sheet.
Before signing the inventory sheets, do a complete walk through with the van operator to ensure that all items have been tagged, removed from your residence and loaded onto the van for shipment.
At Destination you must check off the inventory sheet.
It is your responsibility to be sure that all items tendered for shipment are delivered and that they are in the same condition as when they were loaded.
Keep Pack, Load & Delivery Days Free of Appointments
Please do not schedule appointments or airline reservations for these days, and plan to be at residence on these days.
Packing Day
When the packers arrive, begin by walking them through your home pointing out any items of particular concern, and storage and attic areas where items are stored away.
Point out any items that are not to be packed.
Moving Day
Walk the North American van operator through your home noting any items that require special handling. Also point out items that will not be shipped on the van.
Leave furniture in the rooms as normal use.
The van operator will complete an inventory of all your possessions noting their condition. Take time to review the statement of conditions and the completed inventory.
When the loading is complete, walk through your home with the van operator to be sure that nothing has been missed.
Inventory at Destination
You must check off the inventory sheet, making sure all items have been delivered.
If any items are not delivered, make note of them and contact Rainbow as soon as possible.
Explanation of "Unpacking" Procedures
Definitions of unpacking are as follows: North American agency personnel will remove your belongings from the cartons and place them on a flat surface.
If you choose to have the full unpacking by the carrier, you must specify this to your relocation coordinator. Arrangements can be made for the services to be performed the following workday after you unload.
Arranging For Unpacking and Appliance Servicing
These services must be set up with Rainbow Movers & Storage. We can arrange this for you at origin and when you reach your final destination.
Please advise your Relocation Coordinator of the appliances that you will be shipping.
Special Information
Rainbow or North American Van Lines will not pack, load or ship currency, jewelry, flammables or food.
This includes valuables as well as costume jewelry, coin and stamp collections, currency, credit cards, important papers, documents and medications.
There is no carrier liability on your behalf for these items.
Guns & Ammunition
Handguns and ammunition must also be transported by you.
Shotguns and rifles can be packed by the carrier and included in your shipment. However, you must remove ammunition before the packing crew arrives and the make and serial numbers must be provided to be placed on the descriptive inventory.
Flammable & Hazardous Materials
You must transport all items that are flammable/hazardous. This includes aerosol cans of any kind, cleaning fluids, fire extinguishers, paint, paint cleaners, ammonia's of any kind and matches.
Other Items
You should check all dresser drawers to be sure nothing valuable or breakable is left in them.
If you are shipping, you need to empty, defrost and clean the referigerator and freezer.
Propane tanks should be purged with the valve left open.
Barbecue grills that use charcoal should be cleaned out.
If cars are being moved, the gas tank should be 1/4 full or less.
Lawn mowers and other gasoline engines must be emptied of oil and gas
Guide to Better Packing
Proper packing is the most important step in safely transporting your belongings. That's why Rainbow's professional packing crews are trained in the best packing techniques, and that's why it's so much easier and safer to have us pack for you.
But, if you decide to do some -- or even all -- of your packing, this guide will help. Along with general how-tos, you'll find specific step-by-step instructions on properly wrapping and packing items that require special attention.
First -- what not to
pack and load on the moving van
- Fuels & oils
- Any aerosol cans
- Paint, turpentine, varnishes
- Flammable liquids -- nail polish remover, lighter fluid, etc.
- Bleach
- Firearms, ammunition
- Matches
- Candles
- Corrosives
- Food in glass jars
- Prescription drugs necessary for immediate use
- Perishable foods
- Plants
For best results, have Rainbow professional's pack:
Marble, glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" X 60" or larger
Pool table slate
Bulky, fragile items -- large trophies, statuary, chandeliers, etc. -- that require crating
Major appliances
Take with you:
- Cash
- Securities
- Jewelry, furs
- Firearms (consult local laws)
- Personal papers, documents such as birth certificates and insurance policies
- Deeds
- Coin, stamp collections
- Special family photographs
- Moving-related documents
General Packing Guidelines
Follow a timetable
Allow yourself enough time to pack. First pack items you won't need right away, such as articles stored in the basement, garage, or attic. Wait and pack things you'll use right up to moving day last.
Packing room by room will help you stay organized.
How to pack boxes
Assemble boxes. Invert box, fold in flaps. Place one or two long pieces of plastic packing tape across center seam, and one piece along each side seam. Do not cover any printing.
Make bottom cushion. Put loosely crumpled unprinted newsprint in the carton bottom.
Wrap all fragile, breakable items in paper. (Not necessary for soft items like bedding, etc.) This not only protects the item, but protects other items from it. Wrapping also helps things fit snugly in the box and prevents them from shifting. Use unprinted newsprint for most items, tissue paper for very fragile things.
Pack large and heavy items first.
Pack smaller items next. Use these to fill in spaces around larger items.
Periodically lift carton to check weight -- box should not be too heavy for one person to lift comfortably.
Fill all empty spaces with small items or crumpled paper. Leave no gaps in the carton. This helps make it crush-proof.
Make a top cushion. Leave 1/4 to 1/2 inch space at the top of the carton. Fill this space with crumpled paper. When closed, the carton's top or sides should neither bulge nor sag.
Tape top seams securely.
Label boxes clearly. Write your name, your moving contract number, the room to which the box should go in your new home and a general description of contents. Write "fragile" only if items within are truly fragile. (Otherwise, good loading decisions will be impossible.) Mark "unpack first" on boxes containing items you'll need right away in your new home.
