Packing & Labeling Moving Boxes Correctly

“The last time I moved, I had a roommate who said she’d take care of everything,” Sheena explained. “Which was wonderful, because I was right in the middle of my residency and was maxed right out. She said she’d pack my stuff and call the movers for me – which she did. When I got to my new place, I discovered she’d forgotten one critical step. None -and I mean none! – of my boxes were labeled, at all.”

We’re a moving company. We provide packing services for our household and business clients who request it. Every time we pack a box, we label it with information about the contents, their intended location in the new address, and any special care instructions relevant to moving the item safely.

What happens when moving boxes don’t get labeled?

The first problem is you don’t know where anything is. Whether that’s your baby’s favorite blanket that they just can’t sleep without or that critical kitchen appliance, the coffee maker, there are certain items that you’re going to want to locate quickly after arriving at your new place. Label each box with a list of contents, being reasonably specific. “Coffeemaker” is much more helpful than “Kitchen stuff”.

The second problem is the movers don’t know where to put anything. It may well be that you wanted those 16 heavy boxes of books to go upstairs to your daughter’s bedroom – but if the boxes aren’t labeled, no one will know that, and all boxes will be brought to a central location for you to sort through as you unpack. That means a lot more work and heavy lifting for you!

Another issue with having no labels on moving boxes is it’s hard to tell if you’re missing a box of your possessions. When moving boxes are properly labeled, it’s easy to tell if you have them all. If you’re missing number 6 out of a set of 8 boxes that go in a room, the gap is immediately apparent, and you can take steps right away to locate the missing items. Without the labels and numbering, it can take days – even weeks! – before you realize that some of your stuff didn’t arrive as expected. This can make it hard to find the wayward boxes.

Finally, no labels means nothing gets handled with care. Labeling boxes ‘fragile’, ‘this side up’, or with similar instructions is a sensible way to ensure that the moving company knows your glassware, electronics, and other delicate items need extra care and protection.

If there’s a move in your near future, don’t trust just anyone to pack your stuff. If you’re going to do this job yourself, make sure that every box is labeled with its contents, intended destination, number/color code, and any care instructions. Want to have someone do it for you? We’re the Bronx’s #1 moving company for neighborhood and long distance moves. Packing services are available to make your life simple and stress free!