Packing and Loading

If you ordered packing, a team of specially-trained packers will be sent to your home either on the morning of your scheduled loading day or the day before, depending on how much packing needs to be done.

Next up among the professionals assigned to service your shipment is the Escort, as we in the moving industry call him key person, since his role in your move encompasses so much more than just escorting. He, of course, is in charge of the physical moving process. He's responsible for loading your goods at origin, transporting the van, and delivering your belongings--safe and sound--into your new home. Generally, he'll be assisted in the loading and unloading processes by other workers.

Before loading begins, the supervisor will take special precautions to protect your home, as well as its contents. This may include laying down "floor runners" to protect carpets and flooring in entryways, hallways, and other high-traffic areas, as well as padding banisters and doorways to avoid marring walls and woodwork.

If you cannot be present at the time of loading, you'll need to arrange for a responsible person to act as your agent in signing both the bill of lading and the inventory list.

Most furniture is wrapped with specially constructed cloth pads or "blankets" to protect it from scratches, dents, dirt, etc. Even items such as gardening tools are padded to prevent them from scratching or soiling other items in the shipment. Tightly loaded tiers--with heavy articles loaded on the bottom--will be constructed inside the van to avoid jarring or shifting while on the road.

The vans themselves, in addition to being quite spacious, are specially designed and equipped to accommodate the safe transportation of household goods. Specifically, trailer walls and doors are lined with logistical tracks, enabling shipments to be secured further with heavy nylon straps.

After everything has been loaded in the van, it's a good idea for you and the van foreman to take one last walk through your house to make sure that nothing has been overlooked.