Every move features its own extraordinary situation. It’s these moments that we truly relish. When someone presents us with a completely unique move, Santa Monica Moving Services relies on our training and our more than thirty years of expertise. We have moved wine collections, grandfather clocks; entire rare books collections for libraries, and believe it or not, parts of the Berlin Wall. Our trained moving teams have even moved beakers and actual experiments in progress for laboratories. And we’ve moved many companies, senators, rock stars, dignitaries, and ambassadors.
Our claims levels are among the lowest in the country and resolution of those claims are the fastest in the industry—two facts that demonstrate our commitment to our trade and our customers.
2. HOW TO PACK
Packing Tips
This is a list of comprehensive packing tips for our Yorba Linda esteemed customers Blankets and Pillows- Larger cartons are used to pack these items or you may pack them into furniture drawers.
Books- Books should be packed tightly in a small carton that can be sealed or tied. Wrap valuable books individually. Do not pack above the top edge of the carton. Loaded cartons should weigh no more than 30-35 pounds each.
Clothing- Hanging clothes. Santa Monica Moving Service offers wardrobe cartons that allow hanging clothing to remain hanging inside the carton and reach your destination wrinkle free.
Food- Dispose of food in open containers that might spill while being packed or during the move; Perishable food should never be stored or shipped. We are not responsible for damage done by spilling food.
Fragile items- Breakables– Sets of china, steelware, glassware, vases, cookie jars, small pictures, and other breakables items should be wrapped very carefully and individually. They should be packed in the strongest carton for maximum protection. Sometimes, it is a good idea to pack these fragile items into a smaller carton and then pack that carton inside the larger carton. This allows the best protection for shipping. Toilet paper could be used on the very small and pointed items first and then the normal wrapping paper should be used to finish the protection or wrapping before packing into a carton. Remember, china / flat glass is strongest when it is properly wrapped with packing paper and stood upright in the carton.
Kitchen Cookware- Kitchen Utensils- All kitchen utensils should be cleaned and dry before packing. Use tape to cover very sharp edges and pack in such a way to keep the point from piercing packing carton or plastic bin. Packing knives and other sharp objects in Tupperware or a metal baking dish is a very safe way to keep the points from piercing the carton while being moved.
Pots and Pans- All pots and pans should be cleaned and dried before packing. Pack heaviest pots or pans on the bottom of carton and then pack the lighter pots or pans near the top. Use a medium size carton since they can become heavy. Wrap each item with paper before placing into carton.
Countertop Appliances- All countertop appliances should be cleaned and dried before packing. Use extra packing paper to protect legs, knobs, and glass containers. Use a medium size carton since these items are normally heavy.
Lamps- Remove the finial and lampshade from the base. It is usually best to reattach the finial to the metal bracket and remove the bracket from the lamp base for safe packing. Wrap the lamp base in several layers of packing paper for maximum cushioning. Pack the lamp base in a heavy-duty carton with some height. It is best to pack the lamp base inside the carton on its base, standing up.
Linens-Pack table and bed linens in strong cartons, plastic bins or trunks lined with clean paper. Do not use old newspaper for packing paper since the ink will smear or dis-colour.
Liquids- Bleaches, oil (cooking and motor), LPG tanks, gasoline products, pressurized containers (hair spray, etc.), and other related items are not accepted by the Mover for shipping. They should be safely discarded. Some products may be considered Hazardous Material by Public Safety laws. Matches and batteries should be moved by the Owner, too. Motorized Items and Yard Equipment- Riding mowers push mowers, weed eaters, and other motorized equipment should be clean and dry before shipping on the moving van. It is a good idea to drain the oil, fuel, and other liquids from these items before shipping. If draining these liquids is not possible, wrap with plastic to keep the fluids from spilling or leaking in the moving van. Be sure to leave an air hole at the top.
Automobiles and other vehicles- All vehicles should have no more than an eighth of a tank of fuel for shipping. Tires need to be at the manufacturers set limits and in good shape. Brakes should be operable for safe handling on and off the moving van.
Pictures, Mirrors and Paintings- Larger pictures, mirrors or paintings- It is always the safest method of packing to pack larger pictures, mirrors or paintings individually in a carton (mirror carton). If you choose not to use the specialized carton, wrap the large picture, painting, or mirror in a blanket or other type of heavy material and tie or tape the covering very tight. Very valuable oil paintings or other pictures should be crated for safe handling. Smaller Pictures- The small or medium size pictures should be individually wrapped and packed in a strong and secure container (plastic bin or cardboard). Placing smaller pictures in between the folds of linens in furniture drawers will work, as a safe method of moving if does not create excessive weight in the furniture item.
Stereo and Computer Media and Equipment, Original cartons that were designed by the manufacturer should always be used for the maximum protection of all stereo equipment. The Styrofoam material is custom fitted and allows the best possible protection during shipping.
Valuables- You should remove and secure all jewellery, watches, money, legal documents, software disc, stamp collections, birth certificates, liquor, hard-drive data, and other valuables. If moved on the moving truck, we cannot be responsible for such items. You should keep these items in your possession at all times until safe and secure in your new home. Should you decide to do all or part of your own packing, you should do so with care. Use good strong containers with secure tops (plastic bins or cardboard). You may obtain these containers at many retailers or from us. You will save money by doing your own packing; however, on “Owner-packed containers” We cannot be responsible for the condition of the contents. However, we are responsible for the condition of the carton.
Appliance Moving- It is your responsibility to see that all mechanical, electrical or electronic equipment is properly serviced (unhooked and prepared for moving) for shipping prior to the arrival of the moving van and crew. Appliance servicing is at your expense. Disconnections of these appliances and the re-connection should be arranged with an authorized appliance dealer or a third party appliance firm that specializes in appliance servicing for relocations. We may perform a limited level of appliance service to disconnect it from its source (electrical, water or gas). If we do disconnect or re-connect appliances from their connections, leaks are always possible and we cannot assume any risk or liability for leaks. In addition, there may be some local codes that may affect the connections of appliances. Remember, for safe moving of those appliances needing disconnection service, the units should be prepared prior to the arrival of the moving van and then re-connection service for the units at destination. The unit(s) should reach room temperature before plugging in or hooking up.
Freezers- If possible, disconnection of the freezer and the re-connection should be arranged with an authorized appliance Dealer or a third party appliance firm that specializes in appliance servicing for relocations. If not, the Owner is responsible for the connections. Televisions- Big Screen TVs- If possible, disconnection of big screen TV and the re-connection should be arranged with an authorized appliance Dealer or a third party appliance firm that specializes in appliance servicing for relocations. If not, it is your responsibility to make these connections. The huge screen needs to be protected by wrapping a soft cloth around the set and using cardboard to cover the screen. Use packing tape or string to keep the cloth and cardboard tight to the unit. The unit should reach room temperature before plugging in.