Tips on Moving a Church or School
Two main ideas:
1. LABEL EVERYTHING, and I do mean EVERYTHING with:
2. Be packed and ready way BEFORE moving day. (This allows you to do the above!) Start NOW! The easier you make it for the movers, the more organized it will be for you on the other end.
If you can't lift it EASILY, then empty it! Nobody wants a back injury!
If the desk is empty, stack the drawers on top (each drawer labeled with the ROOM NAME in case they get separated)
When the movers arrive, ideally all furniture will be empty, with nothing on top of it (except for its drawers), with all the boxes stacked near the front door.
Two main ideas:
1. LABEL EVERYTHING, and I do mean EVERYTHING with:
- The ROOM NAME or NUMBER that it goes to (not the one it's leaving) (Get it to the right room first, so you don't have to move it twice!)
- The CONTENTS of boxes! (Know what's inside so you can unpack easily, and find what you want first. The more specific you are, the easier you will find things!)
- Label all furniture or unboxed items with a piece of MASKING TAPE in a prominent place. Put your tape in a place that it will SHOW if the items are stacked on top of each other. Try to be consistent - all chairs on the front edge of the seat, tables on the top corner. The idea is for the movers to be able to glance quickly and find the label.
- If it's not in a box, it needs a masking tape label! Don't forget to label things like desk lamps, desk blotters, wall art, pillows, bookcases, toys.
- Label all boxes on the SIDE (not top), so the label can be seen when boxes are stacked.
- If it's breakable, label the box "Fragile" in LARGE letters on at least two sides. (If it's extremely fragile or precious, take it home now and bring it back after the move!)
2. Be packed and ready way BEFORE moving day. (This allows you to do the above!) Start NOW! The easier you make it for the movers, the more organized it will be for you on the other end.
- Do not over-fill boxes! You should be able to close the lid, so you can stack them! (Use overlap closure if the box has all its flaps; taping shut is optional and works best with duct tape, not masking tape)
- Empty out all larger cabinets and desk drawers, packing into boxes.
If you can't lift it EASILY, then empty it! Nobody wants a back injury!
If the desk is empty, stack the drawers on top (each drawer labeled with the ROOM NAME in case they get separated)
- Move it clean: wipe it, dust it, polish it BEFORE you move it, while you are emptying and labeling it. You don't want to bring old dirt into your brand new, clean space.
- Use any cloth items you have (towels, craft fabric, tableclloths, drapes) or small pillows as packing material for fragile things.
- Stack the filled boxes near the door (but out of the way enough so they can move furniture past it.)
- Stack any "fragile" boxes in a separate place and put them in cars instead of trucks.
When the movers arrive, ideally all furniture will be empty, with nothing on top of it (except for its drawers), with all the boxes stacked near the front door.
Supplies: It's not too soon to start asking members to donate and bring them! Copy/paste this list, and print in newsletter or on handouts for members!
Have a REFRESHMENTS TEAM at the new site - lots of DRINKS!!!!, sandwiches, fruit - keep the volunteer movers happy and hydrated! Happy people work longer and better!
- Masking tape - lots! for labeling
- Black markers - fat, dark markers!
- Duct tape - for sealing boxes, NOT for labels
- Recycled bubble wrap packing material (NOT styro peanuts - messy!)
- Boxes -
The Ingles grocery "milk gallon" boxes are excellent for lots and lots of things (especially books) because they have built-in handles, they are not too big (so a normal human can still lift them without injury when they are full), and they usually have lids so you can shut them. If you use mostly these boxes, they will stack easily because of their uniform size.
You will also need some larger boxes for oversize things. You shouldn't need to buy boxes if you start collecting boxes now. - Cleaning supplies - towels, rags, wood polish, Fantastic, etc.
- Hand tools - hammers, screwdrivers (manual and power)
- Rope
- Old blankets, quilts to cover furniture and prevent scratches
- Trash bags
Have a REFRESHMENTS TEAM at the new site - lots of DRINKS!!!!, sandwiches, fruit - keep the volunteer movers happy and hydrated! Happy people work longer and better!
Vehicles
Lyte
www.unitync.net
- Big covered Truck (with a hydraulic lift and ramp)
- HANDTRUCKS (borrow or rent) - make sure you get at least one "professional" one
- Pickups
- Cars - fill them with "fragile" boxes
- Put in the largest item, then fill around it with boxes; then the next large item and fill around it. Try to pack it tightly so that things don't move around.
- If a box is marked "fragile", put it in a car instead of the truck.
Lyte
www.unitync.net