What are the Benefits of Using Pallets for Shipping?

March 13, 2019 By

Managing costs associated with moving products from Point A to Point B is essential to the sustainable profitability of manufacturers and sellers across distribution channels. To increase efficiency when shipping in quantity, a growing business may be well advised to reconsider shipping items on an individual basis, and instead invest into shipping by the pallet.

  • Pallets are an integral part of shipping quantities of goods domestically and internationally. Made from wood, metal, or plastic, pallets can help bundle groups of the same item or various items being shipped from one location to the next. Because pallets tend to be standardized in size, shipments by the pallet offer consistent quantities used in placing orders, calculating the cost, and even predicting the amount of space required to ship and warehouse items. Additionally, pallets offer a strong and durable base for items, helping to protect items from damage during shipment. Pallets also offer speed and efficiency, as forklifts and pallet jacks permit the mechanical movement of items much more efficiently than one item at a time by hand.
  • In addition to protecting items from the bottom up, a pallet can also keep items up off the ground where moisture and uneven surfaces can damage items. And because the pallet’s wood, plastic, or metal material is stronger than cardboard boxes or plastic packages, it allows heavier items and larger quantities to be shipped safely and efficiently.
  • Despite their strength and versatility, pallets are proportionately light and can be carried by one worker. Pallets can be stored in tall stacks, reducing the amount of square footage required in a warehouse or shipping facility. Unlike cardboard boxes, pallets can typically be reused many times, thus saving cost and environmental impact.
  • Once a pallet has reached the end of its lifespan, its materials can be melted down and repurposed, in the case of metal and plastic varieties, or taken apart and recycled in the case of wood. Wooden pallets can be sold to be converted into shredded compost material, firewood, and construction material.

The return on investment of pallets and pallet handling equipment may well be worth it to a growing manufacturing or retail distribution business. By better-protecting products from damage, streamlining ordering and cost estimation, standardizing storage requirements, avoiding environmental damage, and speeding the handling of materials, pallets offer a wealth of utility in exchange for a relatively small cost and storage space. Plus, once a pallet’s utility has been exhausted, it is still worth something as scrap to be sold for a second application.

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How to Pack a China Cabinet

February 19, 2019 By

China cabinets are a staple in many people’s homes. They often hold very valuable and sentimental items that deserve the be on display for visitors to admire. Because of the age and value of many of those items, they tend to be extremely fragile. Moving to a new home is a stressful process for many reasons, but if you fear for the safety of the items in your china cabinet it will be even worse. Follow these steps to properly pack and prepare your china cabinet for moving day.

Preparing to Pack

Before you begin filling boxes with your items, take a second to prepare. This preparation process will include two major steps.

  • Deciding what to move – take the time to look over each item in your china cabinet and select any items that you no longer care for. Rather they’ve lost value or their sentimental meaning, if you don’t care about the item don’t take the time to pack and move it to the new location.
  • Gathering materials – you should purchase multiple rolls of bubble wrap, packing paper, and boxes to store your items. If possible, invest in dish boxes that offer thicker protection than a traditional moving box.

Packing Your China

Now that you’ve prepared, it’s time to pack. We’ve broken the steps of packing china down into a few easy steps to make your job simpler!

  1. The bottom of the box needs to be prepared before any items go into it. Reinforce the bottom with packing tape, then layer multiple layers of bubble wrap to absorb any shock that happens during the move.
  2. To pack your items, wrap each on individually in multiple sheets of packing paper. Once you have an item wrapped securely, you can place it inside of another item to save space. If you’re doing this, it’s important to tape the bundle to keep the pieces from hitting one another. Finally, wrap the bundles with two layers of bubble wrap before placing them into the box.
  3. After you’ve placed all of your items in the box you should cover them with more layers of bubble wrap. If there’s room left in the top of the box, fill it with packing paper. The goal of this is to make the items completely immobile as they’re being carried and shifted during the move.

If you want to take an extra step in protecting your valuables, contact our team at Extreme Packing Solutions, for professional packing and moving help. For any questions or to schedule help packing you can call us at (978) 232-9190 or contact us directly on our website. 

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What is the Best Way to Ship Valuables?

January 15, 2019 By

Shipment involving valuable items need to be handled with particular care. An ordinary shipping company may not be enough to secure the shipment of your valuables. If you have items that are fragile, heirlooms, or antiques, you want to ensure that they are given particular attention and care. You may need to look into specialty service that caters to your specific shipping needs. Their shipping solutions should include things like packing, crating, as well as specialized transportation services. You shouldn’t have to worry if your valuables will all arrive at their destination in one piece. Let’s look at some of the things that you should consider when choosing  the best way to ship valuables.

  • Packing

The main concern that you may have when shipping valuables has to do with the items surviving the transport and arriving in excellent condition. As such, packaging is crucial in ensuring the safety and security of your shipment. You want to have top quality crates rather than simple boxes if you are to protect your valuables, which you want to wrap and surround in foam before packing them in full-wood crates.

  • Paperwork

Your shipping paperwork should list each item you intend to ship, including details related to the weight, dimensions, quantity and value. This information should be present on both the customer contract and on the origin inventory. Be sure to have a paper trail verifying that the items are in good condition before handing them over to a shipping company. The descriptive inventory of your valuables is important for insurance purposes, especially if the form is reviewed at its destination or point of delivery and an item is damaged.

  • Insurance

You should not ship your valuables without insurance. You have no control over what will happen to your valuables in transport and accidents do happen. To protect yourself from the liability for any loss and damage to your items, properly insure your valuable to avoid a significant financial loss. Consider taking out full replacement value insurance on your valuable shipment just to be safe.

  • Mode of Delivery

You should ensure that the shipping company provides a full-service move in and inspection for safe transportation and safe arrival of your valuable items. Expedited shipping could limit handling of your shipment, reducing the chances of damage. Having tracking services as a part of your shipping contract to get regular updates on the progress of your shipment.

Extreme Packing Solutions will safely execute the transport and delivery of your valuable shipment no matter the destination. We are trained in shipping valuables and fragile items and will ensure your goods get to you. If you aren’t sure how to pack your valuables so they don’t break, we offer on-site packing, where we can pack up and ship out your valuable or fragile items. To get started on your move, call us at (978) 232-9190 or contact us on our website.

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5 Tips on How to Pack in a Hurry

December 27, 2018 By

Sometimes, people have the luxury of knowing they are going to be moving for months or even years. This affords them plenty of time to plan and prepare for the inevitable. In other situations, though, individuals are told they must relocate with very little warning. Often, this happens to military families, but it can also affect those who have careers in the private sector. Quick relocations can also become necessary when people have to care for ailing relatives or have other personal emergencies arise. As you read on, you’ll discover some helpful tips for how to pack in a hurry if you unexpectedly have to uproot your life.

  1. Figure out the logistics first – Before you even begin trying to tackle your house or apartment, figure out how you are going to get where you are going. You will, for starters, need a moving truck. Begin calling local moving companies to see who still has availability for your moving date. Once you’ve settled that, determine how you are going to get to your new residence. If you are traveling a long distance, a plane ticket may be the best choice. Otherwise, you will probably be able to drive your own vehicle. If you don’t have a vehicle, look into rental cars you can pick-up in your area.
  2. Donate or toss anything you don’t want – Start going through your current home room by room. Anything you no longer want or need should either go directly into a trash can or in a “donate” pile. The less you have to pack, especially for a move you weren’t anticipating, the less stressful the process will be. Taking only those items you really love or really need will eliminate a lot of hassle in the long run.
  3. Pack a bag that will come with you – This tip is important no matter what, but is especially pertinent for those who will be flying to their new homes while their possessions are being driven by professional movers. Packing a duffel bag or backpack with your personal necessities will help you feel calmer throughout the relocation process. Make sure you include any medications you take, toiletries you’ll need, and special items you don’t want to risk with sentimental or monetary value.
  4. Recruit friends and family members – If you’re packing your house or apartment yourself, you might feel totally overwhelmed by the thought of doing it alone. The odds are good, however, that you don’t have to. Even if you’re leaving your current location to be closer to your family, you probably have some friends you can call upon for assistance. Or, if you have a family of your own, let your children help you pack; you can even make it into a fun game!
  5. Don’t hesitate to pay movers to do everything – If your budget allows, you may find that the only way you can cope with your fast-approaching move is to hire professionals to do both the packing and the moving for you. There is nothing wrong with this! Moving is stressful, especially on short notice, and you should never feel guilty about letting experts do their jobs.

If you have to unexpectedly move soon, give us a call today at 978-232-9190 to discuss the services we offer. You can also reach out to us on our website! We will work with you to make sure you have everything you need from us as you go through the entire relocation process. We look forward to meeting you!

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How Far in Advance Should I Book My Move?

December 19, 2018 By

Moving can be stressful. As a matter of fact, many experts consider it one of life’s most stressful events. The more prepared you are, though, the easier the entire process will be on you and your household. If you are planning to relocate in the near future, there are several things you should consider well in advance of your planned moving day. One of these issues is how early to officially book your move, which usually entails scheduling movers, renting a storage unit if necessary, and, in some cases, buying plane tickets if you’re moving far away. In this guide, you’ll learn more about how far in advance you should book your family’s next move.

Is there a point that is too early to book?

If you’re a true planner, you will be thrilled to know that there really isn’t a time that is too early to book your move once you find out you’ll be relocating. It is, however, important to make sure the deposit you pay your moving company is refundable, at least up until a certain date. This way, if your plans change, you won’t have to forfeit anything you’ve already paid your moving experts.

What are the benefits of booking a move early?

There are actually quite a few reasons to book your upcoming move as early as possible. For starters, reserving your date well ahead of time will allow you to choose from all of the movers in your area. The closer it gets to your moving day, the fewer companies will still have open availability. Furthermore, you may not be able to secure the most affordable rate if you have fewer options to choose from; you’ll have to pay what the movers who can still work with you are asking.

Another perk of booking your move early is that you will have plenty of time to go through each room of your home and decide what you no longer need before your movers arrive to pack everything. If you ignore your relocation too long, you will run out of time to do this important task. It’s much easier to organize a new house when you aren’t unpacking all sorts of items you shouldn’t have brought with you in the first place.

Is there an optimum time to book?

The answer to this question is not concrete. It depends on where you live, how busy your preferred moving company is, and how far out your relocation date is. As a general rule, you should book moves earlier in the spring through fall months than in the wintertime. Winter is simply a less desirable time to relocate, so moving companies tend to have more dates open. However, as stated previously, there is nothing wrong with reserving your moving date as soon as you find out you’re leaving your current home.

Our skilled, professional team would love to help you with your next move. We take pride in easing stress for our clients and will do everything in our power to get your family’s beloved possessions where they are going safe and sound. You will be in good hands when you choose Extreme Packing Solutions. If you have questions about your move or if you would like to schedule contact us! You can call us at (978) 232-9190 or contact us via our website. 

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Questions To Ask Before Hiring Movers

November 26, 2018 By

When you move, you have to make countless decisions. From when you’re moving day will be, to how to pack your home, to who to choose to move your belongings to your new home. It can become overwhelming.  One of the most important things is choosing your moving company to ensure your belongings won’t be damaged when they’re in transit. Although there’s no shortage of moving companies, there is a shortage of reliable and reputable moving companies.

What to ask your moving company

Are you properly licensed?

This may seem like a given, but it’s not. Make sure that if you ask to see proof of their licensing, that they can provide it to you. This will eliminate the moving scams as well as companies who aren’t trained to do this kind of work.

Do you have experience with this type of move?

Some moving companies only have moved people within the same city, or from house to house. For example, if you are moving a far distance, or even nationwide it’s important to know if your company can handle your move. If not, then it’s best to move on and get a company that knows exactly what to do.

Do you have references or customer testimonials?

This is also a great way to get rid of scammers because their customers won’t be leaving good reviews – they will be leaving negative ones. You should make sure to check all the avenues that people are leaving reviews, not just the ones they choose to share with you.

What does my quote include? And will my final cost increase?

This is an important question because you will want to know what all is included in your quote, is it weight? Cubic feet? With any quote, what happens if you have an extra box, etc? It’s important to cover your bases so that you can know what to expect when all is said and done.  Knowing this can take any extra stress off of you during the move.

Will I be able to contact the driver while in transit?

This is especially important if you are moving a long distance. If the drive takes longer than a day, it’s important to know the communication method so that you know when to expect your goods to be there and so you can plan for their arrival.

If at any point, the company doesn’t want to answer any or one of your questions, it’s best to find a company who will.

Moving is a big deal, make sure you chose the company who understands that. At Extreme Packing Solutions, we want to make your move go as smoothly as possible. We are happy to answer all of your questions until you feel comfortable choosing us for your move. To ask questions or to get started with your move, call us at  978-232-9190 or visit our website.

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When Is The Best Time To Move?

October 17, 2018 By

When you are thinking about moving, planning a move, or getting started on a move – it’s easy to let the stress take over you. Sometimes you have the luxury of planning your move, other times life gets in the way, and you have no choice. No matter if you are planning on hiring professionals or planning on doing the move by yourself. Let’s say you did have a choice, when is the best time of year to move?

Moving in the summer

People who have families often times move during the summer months because their children have off school. With people in their 30’s and up, have kids, and do the most moving, it’s no wonder why people move in the summer. The housing market normally peaks in the summer months, so it’s a great time to be a seller. Summer also has warmer weather, and in places, it snows and becomes frigid out, you have to deal and be prepared for the weather. But moving in the summer does have it’s downfalls because of this. One major downfall is cost. Moving because it’s in the peak season is more expensive.

Moving in the winter

People typically tend to dread moving during the winter months in cooler weather places because of the chance you run into snow and ice, and while this wouldn’t be an ideal moving condition, you have to weigh out the pros and cons. With not as many people moving, the demand is lower, and costs are lower. You are able to have more flexibility and control in your move because of this.

Moving during the week

Most moves happen Friday-Sunday because it’s less time you have to take off work, but some moving companies rates skyrocket because their employees could be contracted your typical Monday-Friday, 9-5 jobs. If you are able to take time off of work for moving, moves Monday-Thursday typically are a lower cost for you.

No matter what time of year or time of week you move, the best thing you can do for your move to run smoothly is to prepare. If you are moving in the summer months, while you may not have to prepare for weather – you’ll have to prepare for more demand. In the winter, you may have less cost associated with moving, but could potentially run into weather delays/problems.

If you don’t want the stress or hassle of moving, contact Extreme Packing Solutions to move your home from start to finish. We are prepared to deal with any weather – hot or cold to ensure your goods get to their destination on a timely manner. To inquire or schedule a move, contact us on our website or give us a call at (978) 232-9190 to speak with one of our moving experts.

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How Long Does it Take to Pack a House?

October 9, 2018 By

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, about 12% of Americans move each and every year. That’s a lot of moving trucks! When it comes to moving: how prepared are you for yours? Here’s a few things you should know about how long this process will take.

The Gathering Process

Before any move, you’ll need to spend a lot of time packing up your things and making sure nothing gets left behind. It’s good to start this process way ahead of time — think six weeks or more, if possible. Once you get down to the last couple weeks you’ll have a lot going on, and you might be surprised how long it takes to pack up a room you think will be “fairly easy.” A four bedroom house, for example, may take you six full days to pack (and you’ll probably have to work!).

A general estimate on the number of full days spent packing that you’ll need:

  • Studio or one bedroom apartment: 1-2 days
  • Two bedroom apartment or home: 2-3 days
  • Three bedroom house: 3-5 days
  • Four bedroom house: 4-6 days
  • Five bedroom house: 5-7 days

Not surprisingly, it makes sense to assume you’ll need the maximum amount of estimated time — if you only plan for one day to move your studio apartment but it turns out you need two, you may find yourself in a bit of a time-crunch pickle.

Movers Do it Faster

Many people hire professional movers and never look back thanks to the time and energy it ends up saving. Movers, on average, need only between eight and twelve hours to pack up a four bedroom house. Here’s a handy guide to estimating how long your movers will need:

  • Studio or one bedroom apartment: 2-4 hours
  • Two bedroom apartment or home: 3-5 hours
  • Three bedroom home: 6-10 hours
  • Four bedroom home: 8-12 hours
  • Five bedroom home: 10-13 hours

Of course, these are just estimates. A minimalist household will speed up the moving process, while a cluttered household is going to take longer to pack up and move out.

Why We Recommend Using a Mover

Moving, along with death, divorce and job loss, is considered one of the most stressful life events. Delegating part of the moving process to a reliable company that specializes in moving will ultimately result in a better, less stressful experience for everyone. Not only are movers more quick and efficient, but they are also trained in handling large loads, diminishing the risk of injury.

Is your next move on the horizon? Contact us on our website or give us a call at 978-232-9190 for more information on how you should move forward.

 

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How To Find A Freight Forwarder

September 19, 2018 By

4 Things to Look For in a Great Freight Forwarder

Freight forwarders are the intermediary between shippers and transportation services. The importance of a great freight forwarder cannot be underscored enough, since it can be the difference between your goods arriving on time and in great condition, and them getting stuck at an international border, lost, or damaged—a problem few busy companies are going to want to deal with.

For this reason, you won’t want to be selecting simply the lowest price or the first name in the phone book. Here are four things you should look for in a top freight forwarder.

  • The Experience You Require

Let’s say you’re a car company looking to ship cars from the U.S. to Japan in order to be sold. Car exports are a complex process and your freight forwarder should have prior experience handling this sort of shipment—the types of paperwork you need and issues you might handle are entirely different for shipping clothes or electronics. How familiar are they with export compliance? In order for a car to enter Japan, for example, it will need to have everything from a commercial invoice to a customs declaration form.

  • A Solid Reputation

A freight forwarder should be able to provide you with the names of prior and current clients so that you can make an informed decision as to whether their reputation is trustworthy. It’s also worth doing a quick Google search just to make sure nothing out of the ordinary doesn’t pop up.

  • Are They Located in the Destination Country?

If something happens when your goods arrive to their destination, will the freight forward have agents in place to help address any concerns, whether they relate to customs, paperwork, or something else? Having a network of agents in multiple destinations means the company will be able to respond quickly and efficiently when problems arise, helping to keep your shipments on time.

  • What About Cargo Insurance?

Damage, theft, and loss are endemic to every industry. A great freight forwarder should be covered by cargo insurance so that, in the case of a loss of product, you’re not the one left holding the bill.

When it comes to choosing a top freight forwarder, it pays to do your research. Having a partner you can trust can help you to grow your business and maintain your own reputation in the shipping industry. To find out more, contact the shipping experts at Extreme Packing Solutions. If you need an estimate, have any questions, or need more information on industry standards contact us on our website or at (978) 232-9190 and we are happy to help. 

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What Types of Industries Benefit From Distribution Centers?

September 12, 2018 By

Distribution centers can be very beneficial for some industries. The way distribution centers work are specific to each industry and each company that uses them. There are common benefits and reasons why many industries use them and what they can accomplish.

What is a distribution center?

A distribution center is like a warehouse which items are stocked before they go out to their retailers. This can expedite the process of shipping items out to customers. As companies grow and have common shipping channels to parts of the country, it is common for them to get multiple distribution centers so that they can ship their products out to their clients faster. Some of the most common industries that use distribution centers are online relators, ecommerce companies, and fortune five hundred companies that have physical locations.

Warehousing and local shipping

Depending on the industry, distribution centers can be used for both distributing their retail to stores, as well as direct to the consumer buying the product. Warehousing is known more for storing products until a store needs them to be distributed. Local shipping uses distribution centers so that all of the items being shipped are in one place.

Industries & main benefits

  • Better Control. You are able to create a centralized commonplace for items to be received at, then once ready, shipped out to clients.
  • Monitor your inventory. This is helpful because when everything is in one place, you are able to quickly take inventory and see which products are selling faster, and what you might need to get ahead of ordering on.
  • Your products are accessible. Everything is in one place, if an item gets changed or cancelled you are able to quickly and easily changed.
  • Save time. Having everything all in one place and organized can help you from having to run around looking for things, or figuring out what happened, or what needs to take place next.

Having a distrubtion center doesn’t make sense for every company or every business. It’s important to really understand how your company operates, what your pain points are, and if having a centralized distrubtion center would make the most sense.

If you have any questions on if a distrubtion center is right for you and your industry, give us a call today at 978-232-9190 or contact us on our website. Let us know how we can help you and answer any potential questions you may have.

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