Careful packing is one of the most important aspects of your move. Well packed household goods stand little chance of being damaged. Also, packing room by room can help to make the unpacking and storage much less of a chore.

Whether you have Cross Country Van Lines do the packing or you do it yourself depends upon your circumstances. Some people do not have the time to devote to what can be an intimidating task. In such cases, Cross Country Van Lines provides the finest in safe and professional packing services. For families on a budget, self-packing can mean considerable savings.

Even if you choose to do the packing your self, you might still consider having Cross Country Van Lines pack the more delicate or fragile items, items such as dishes, crystal, lamps, etc. you enjoy the security of having these more costly items professionally packed while reducing your costs by doing the bulk of the job yourself

NEWSPAPERS!! Newspaper ink has a tendency to rub off on everything it touches and can be almost impossible to remove from items like fine china.TahomaProfessional packers use "newsprint" (unprinted newspaper) as cushioning material. You an get newsprint from us or from your local material supplier (U-Haul) etc. TahomaThe amount of newsprint you use depends on the items being packed. Obviously, towels or sheets in a carton require no packing material at all. For dishes or fragile items, a layer of crumpled paper should be used to line the bottom of the carton to a depth of approximately four inches. Each item should be individually wrapped-with crushed paper between items as needed.

Plates, Saucers, Flat China: Wrap individually and then bundle three or four together. Stand on end in carton. Never lay flat. Use the larger items as the bottom layer and place crumpled paper as a cushioning between each layer.

Bowls, Odd-Shaped items and bowls: Should be individually wrapped, should constitute the upper layers. Place on edge in carton with bottom facing up.

Cups and Glasses: Like bowls, cups and glasses should go on top, rim down and individually wrapped.

Glassware and Crystal: Always individually warp as top layer. Never put one piece inside another. If items are particularly fragile, pack first in smaller carton, then in large one with cushioning all around.

Books: Pack upright with open edges and bound ends alternating. If any have fragile covers wrap in paper.

Clothing: Hanging items should go into wardrobe cartons. Clothing my not be left in dressers. All other folded clothing should be packed in medium (3.0 cu. Ft.) cartons.

Food: Boxed dry food should be packed in medium (3.0 cu. Ft.) cartons with openings taped shut to prevent spillage. Jars or canned goods should be packed in book (1.5 cu. Ft.) cartons with all jars wrapped and cushioned. Never pack or move perishable or frozen food.

Hats: If in a hat box, pack in larger carton. If not, loosely stuff with crushed paper and pack in smallest carton, either alone or with other hats.

Lamps: Lamp bases should be wrapped, cushioned and packed in dish-pack cartons. Lampshades should be packed singly in appropriate sized carton. Be careful not to put too much paper in lampshade carton as they dent easily. Cushion loosely.

Flowers: Dry flowers should be packed alone in appropriate sized carton loosely cushioned with paper. Live plants will probably not survive on a long distance move and movers cannot accept responsibility.

Stereo, DVD, VCR's etc.: Components and small electronics should be well wrapped and cushioned in either electronic (3.5 cu. Ft.) carton or medium (3.0 cu. ft.) cartons. Large console stereo and televisions should not be packed by shipper. They will be packed by driver.

Mirrors, Marble Tops, Glass Tops, Pictures: All Mirrors, marble tops, glass tops, and pictures should be packed in picture-mirror cartons, unless they are very small. The small items may be wrapped and packed in dish-pack cartons on edge. Very large marble or glass tops should be crated by professional packers. Their weight makes them impractical to be moved by carton.

Remember that all of your possessions are being loaded into the van and, by law, movers may not accept hazardous materials for shipment. Restricted items include:

• Paints, thinners, oils and varnishes
• Ammunition and firearms
• Bottled gas, propane, etc.
• Lamp oil
• All flammable, explosives and corrosives
• Motor Fuels and oils
• Nail polish remover
• Bleach, sterno
• All aerosol cans, matches.

Moving Check List- Please print for reference

Get rid of anything you aren't bringing with you.

Find out where to dispose of household chemicals like old paint.

Make a list of everything you're bringing to your new home.

Find out the replacement value of all belongings, for insurance purposes.

Fill out a change of address form Notify friends, family and others of your new address.

Get copies of your medical and dental records, if necessary.

Get copies of veterinary records, if necessary.

If you're moving out of state, find out about auto licensing and insurance.

If you're moving in-state, find out where and how to change your address on your driver's license.

Notify your kids' schools and have their records transferred to their new schools.

Return any cable equipment.

Make hotel and airline reservations if you need them.

8 to 14 days before you move

Return library books or any other borrowed items.

Collect all the items you may have loaned out.

Make arrangements to disconnect gas, electric and other utilities.

Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new place.

Arrange to have major appliances prepped for the move.

2 to 7 days before you move

Get rid of all flammables.

Figure out what you're bringing with you in the car or plane.

Arrange for removal of "installed items" you're bringing with you, like a TV antenna or shelves.

Pack a suitcase with the clothes and toiletries you'll need the first day in your new home.

Pack a special box with other essentials you'll need for the first few days. (Make sure to mark this box "Do Not Move)."

The day before Moving Day

Take down curtains and curtain rods.

Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator. Make sure it has at least 24 hours to air dry.

Clean and air your stove.

Plan your breakfast. Paper plates service is fine. Eating something on the road is better.

Pack your personal belongings except your alarm clock.

Go to sleep early ? you'll be glad of it tomorrow.

Moving Day

Collect all keys to locking items. Put them in a safe place.

Strip the beds but leave them intact. We will dismantle them.

Make sure you're at home when the movers arrive, so you can sign an inventory.

Walk around with the crew chief while he does the inventory.

Make sure everything is ready for the move.

Keep your signed bill of lading and inventory in an easily accessible place.

Make sure the driver has the correct delivery address and phone number.

Confirm the expected delivery time with the driver.

Before you leave, do a final walkt hrough of every room. Check all closets and cabinets.