[Howie]

We are trying to save money on shipping our stuff, so we would like to pack it ourselves. The shipper we contacted had no problem with this. They will still load and unload everything from the house, but we will have it all packed up when they arrive. How do you pack furniture so that it doesn't get damaged? How do you pack book shelves? Last time we moved, we packed our boxes, but the movers disasembled our furniture and wrapped it in special blankets.

Since our final cost will be based on volume, and not on weight, can we try to fill up empty space by filling our dresser drawers (with light stuff)?

Has anyone moved a sea kayak? Since we will not have a full container, the shipper said it won't fit. Sounds like we might be better off selling it here and buying one in NZ.

Sorry for all of the questions. Starting to freak out!

Susan

[veronica]

We have always packed for ourselves. If the bookshelves can be taken apart then thats the easiest option, any furniture we couldn't take apart and flat pack we wrapped with bubble wrap. When you pack boxes try not to leave any gaps in them, vacuums mean things can be crushed, and its better if the box is packed tight so things don't move about. I have had only 1 thing break in 6 big moves and that was a big china bowl that I packed in a box that was really too small and didn't leave enough space for wrapping. so when the other boxes were stacked on top of it it didn't have enough give and broke. we always use the linen for first choice wrapping and clothes etc next, when we run out of that then we use newspaper or bubblewrap.

[Smiler]

Just make sure your insurer covers you if you pack yourself.

G&K have made some posts on this thread http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5361&page=2&pp=10

Deborah

[Moorf]

I used the duvets to wrap up all the precious breakables :nice1 and, as Veronica said, linen and clothes too.

Having made two major moves before coming to NZ I can highly recommend having your items packed for you, they are so quick and efficient (well, ours were!) and well worth the extra $$ for taking the strain and time off your hands.

[janjane]

remember to fill the inside of vases, jugs and glasses etc with cloth or paper. Less chance of breakage. yes it is acceptable to fill drawers with stuff, its space!! your paying for it fill it. wrap thick cardboard round table legs and secure with tape before packing to protect them. fill your microwave, washing machine and fridge with stuff. jane
someone, on another thread somewhere, mentioned that if its being loaded from the garage the removals may write it all down as garage items. which makes maf very intrested in all your container so that may be something to look out for.

[jubjub]

We had our stuff packed for us, but they used our drawers, linen basket etc for packing things in like the cushions, quilts & rugs. And they flat packed everything that could be taken apart, and like the others have said, every spare corner of the boxes was stuffed with soft packaging to stop movement.

Good luck, dont envy you doing your own packing!

[Howie]

Thanks for the info. It helps a lot. If we can figure out how to dissasemble the bookshelves, bed, table, etc and make them flat, what is the best way to pack up the flat stuff? Bubblewrap?

Susan

[veronica]

yep

[Marie P]

I did self pack ,shippers don't recommend bubblewrap to touch furniture as it has been known to melt ,so wrapped items in paper first then bubble wrap around .

Marie x