Conduct a Pack Out on Location
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Follow this process in order to remove contents from a home or business. Packing the contents out of a home can be very difficult, so the following guidelines will be beneficial to maximize efficiency and assure the safety of the contents.
Step 1: Have the packing and inventory crew arrive before the movers
This is not essential but is more efficient and will ensure most of the packing is complete before the movers arrive.
Step 2: Prepare the truck being used to transport the contents
Sweep out the back of the truck and load it with the standard pack-out supplies as per the pack-out load list.
Step 3: Set up a plan of attack
Once at the job site, determine who will be working in what area, who will be writing the inventory sheets, what areas will be addressed first, etc.
Step 4: Take detailed photographs of content locations
This will ensure contents can be easily returned to their original positions. Either videotape or photograph all pre-existing damage to all of the contents that you will be handling.
Step 5: Ask the customer about guns, jewelry, and expensive personal items
Ask the customer if they would be willing to remove these items themselves and have them cleaned. It is our policy to not take any firearms into our possession. If they would like us to process other small or expensive items, make sure that the customer lays out all jewelry and photographs all items. Ask the customer to identify all items that have a value of over fifty dollars. Add these items to the valuable contents inventory sheet and make sure that a detailed inventory is completed for all of these items.
Step 6: Tag large items, furniture, and other contents that will not be boxed
The tags should all be the same color for the entire job. The tags should have an item description, job name and eventually an inventory number (the inventory number will be written on the upper right hand corner of the tag by the person writing the inventory sheet).
- Items with multiple parts such as a bed should receive tags on each part. Label the parts as # then letter. i.e. 15a, 15b, 15c.
- The tags should be secured with rubber bands, wire ties, or safety pins. Tags can also be tapped to the bottom or unfinished areas of the contents if necessary (the inside of a bed frame.)
- Metal bed foundations should taped together so that the parts cannot be separated.
- Small parts, screws, etc. should be placed in a plastic bag and then attached to the item if necessary. The bag should be labeled with the job name, number and the corresponding inventory number of the tagged item.
- Electronics should be labeled with tags and then bubble wrapped.
- Place all couches and mattresses into furniture and mattress bags, respectively.
Step 7: Set up processing tables for loading and packing the boxes
Step 8: Make boxes
Make the boxes by folding the tabs. Tape along the seam of the tabs across the outside bottom of the box. Then tape in an X pattern from the center of the tab on one side of the seam to the opposite side of the box on the other side of the seam.
Step 9: Load contents into boxes
- When bubble wrapping an item, place the item on the bubble wrap and fold the bubble wrap over the entire item. Several layers of bubble wrap may be necessary. Make sure that the bubbles face out so that they can absorb any impact. Use clear packing tape around the outside of the bubble wrap to secure the item. Do not apply tape directly to the item.
- If breakable items will be placed in the boxes, place three layers of packing paper on the bottom of the box. Use bubble wrap or packing paper to protect the item and then “ball up” packing paper to fill around the fragile item (Note: do not use newspaper).
- Do not overload the boxes. Make sure that everyone can pick up and move the boxes without the potential for injury. A cleaner should be able to clean the contents of each box in twenty minutes on average.
- When packing dishes and other breakable items, only use one sheet of packing paper for each item. If the item is of great value or particularly fragile then wrap the item in bubble wrap to assure its safety. Place wadded-up paper around the items to further secure. Place a fragile sticker on the side of the box.
- Place all stemware with its base in the bottom of the box. Secure with adequate packing paper and/or bubble wrap.
- When a box has been loaded, write the contents of the box on the inventory label. Place the label on the top left-hand corner of the box (put the label in the same place on every box). The inventory should be fairly detailed. Do not use the word miscellaneous. The more expensive the item, the more precise the inventory needs to be. Write your initials on the inventory label.
- If the box contains any wet, or rush items, place the appropriate sticker on the upper right hand corner of the box. Do not ever place stickers on the top of the box as they will be hidden when the boxes are stacked.
- When the boxes are full, place a piece of tape over the top seam of the box tabs.
Step 10: Have one person start a tagged-item inventory sheet
This person should have an assistant that is writing the inventory number on the tag and reading the item description that will be placed on the inventory sheet. They should do a room by room inventory. As they add an item to the list, they should put the corresponding inventory number on the upper right hand portion of the tag. The inventory should be fairly detailed. The more expensive the item, the more precise the inventory sheet should be. Write model and serial numbers for all electronic items.
Step 11: Place found money into a plastic bag and return to the homeowner
This includes loose change. Do not take any money off site unless the house will be vacant, in which case the money should be given to the production manager and then taken to the customer as soon as possible.
Step 12: Stack boxes by the door to a room
The boxes should be inventoried. Start the inventory number at one for the small boxes (book boxes) and start the inventory number at one for the large boxes (dish packs). Two people can write the inventory sheet. One person can inventory the book boxes and the other can inventory the dish packs. These people should have an assistant that is writing the inventory number on the box and reading the box inventory. Make sure to circle book box, tagged item, or dish pack on the top of the inventory form to avoid duplicate numbers and certain confusion. For any odd sized boxes or customer-packed boxes, write these items on the book box inventory sheet.
Step 13: Remove contents from the house
Remove boxes first, then tagged items.
No box or individual item should be loaded onto the truck without an inventory number.
Follow truck-loading procedure.
