Even if you are hiring a full-service professional mover, like Highland, you can still choose to pack yourself to save on costs.  This is a great way to get the best of both worlds.  It gives you an opportunity to weed through your things as you pack and get rid of the stuff you simply do not need or want.  There is only one exception to the rule.  If you are moving internationally or a long distance, have your professionals at Highland pack you for your own protection.  The longer the distance the greater the chances of something happening.  Therefore, for insurance purposes it will be in your best interest to have professionals pack you and take the extra steps necessary to protect your goods.

However, if you are moving locally and packing yourself, here are some great tips.

Packing Supplies

Make sure to get packing supplies.  You want to use boxes that are meant for moving because they can handle the transport of your goods.  If you are looking for a bargain, check around town or on Craig’s List.  You can often find reasonably priced packing supplies from recent transplants looking to get rid of their packing supplies.  Word of caution. Take the time to inspect the supplies and make sure they have only been used once before.  Like any other reuse of goods, the more worn they are, the less likely they will fulfill their purpose.  Therefore, check and review and then buy.  The only exceptions are wardrobe boxes.  For some reason, they do not repurpose as well so consider getting new ones.

Get tape.  Get more tape than you think you need.  You want to buy packing tape with convenient dispensers.  This will allow you to make quick work of preparing the boxes for packing.  Do not be conservative with your tape.  Tape the box seams several time to ensure it will hold together.

Permanent Markers.  This is another must when packing yourself.  Buy more than you think you will need because chances are you will pack a few in the fray.  

Label well.  Take the time to label your boxes well.  Note the room the contents is from, your last name and a general idea of what it contains.  Do not forget to label fragile if it requires it and an arrow for up.  This is essential in protecting your fragile items.

Have a packing party.  Bribe your friends with some wine or beer and food.  Have them over and help you make quick work of your packing.  Just make sure the friends you ask are not jokesters.  You don’t want them using creative writing to label your boxes.

Don’t worry if you run out of time.  If you simply run out of time, ask your professionals at Highland to help.  They will be glad to help you out if you simply run out of time.  It happens to the best of us.  Just make sure to notify them as quickly as possible so that they can make plans to accommodate you.

For more great moving tips, check out this list from Highland.

Packing for moving is a special skill that anyone can master.  You just need to get the right material to pack like a pro.  Here are a few tips to help you master the art of packing:

Take inventory.  Go around your home and evaluate your needs.  Take the time to take photos of your things, especially your high-valued items.  This will help you catalog your inventory and high-valued items for insurance.  To make the most of your time, do this from room to room and note your estimate of the amount of boxes you will need.

Estimating boxes.  There are packing calculators on-line that can offer you a start.  However, do not take it as gospel, because they are not very accurate.  Instead, I would go back to your inventory for each room and think about your needs.  Keep in mind that you want to use smaller boxes for your heavier items, like dishes.  You will use more medium boxes than smaller and large boxes, because you can use them for a variety of your things.  Certain fragile items, like lamp shades may require one box.  If you can pack it well, you may be able to get two in a box depending on the size.   

Get the right packing material.  You definitely want to make the effort to get the right packing material.  If you are packing anything fragile, you want to make sure you get heavy-duty boxes to take the weight of the load.  Also, you want to make sure that you use packing paper to cushion your items. The main reason for packing paper is to prevent your things from shifting during transport, which in turn will minimize the chance for damage.

Do not overpack your boxes.  You do not want to overpack your boxes.  If you do, you will risk damage.  There is a fine line of putting enough in the box to prevent them from shifting to overloading the box.

Securing boxes.  You want to make sure you get packing tape for your boxes.  It is worth the extra investment because it will allow you to secure your boxes and prevent them from falling apart.  Remember, when you do tape your boxes be generous with the tape and give yourself several inches on both ends of the seams.  This will help prevent the load from falling through the box.

Labeling.  Permanent markers are best for this task.  You want to label your boxes according to the room of the items to help with unpacking.  You also want to note the top of the box with an arrow.  Noting the top of the box will help to prevent damage.

The Australian Removers Association website gives this advice to moving families.  I guess if Canadian movers could “tell it like it is” they might give the same advice. Do these “Aussie rules” apply in Canada or are we too polite to bring these suggestions to the customer’s attention.

Don’t:

• Don’t leave any articles you don’t want packed in the house
• Don’t hover around the removalist (movers) and offer suggestions
• Don’t leave dirty dishes or dirty clothing unattended
• Don’t leave food in the fridge
• Don’t empty the BBQ bottle by simply letting the gas out into the atmosphere or burning it off
• Don’t pack ammunition, aerosol cans and other explosive items
• Don’t criticize the workmen in how they do their work
• Don’t insist on the workmen packing your things the way you want it done
• Don’t let any of your goods be packed without the correct paperwork being received and signed

Sometimes, because of the stress you may be under, your behavior can become inappropriate and these simple points may be the difference between an easy or a difficult removal.

From "Australian removers association"