The kitchen is the room where most breakage worries start. A dish pack is the carton movers reach for, because it is stronger than a standard box and sized so that the contents cannot shift much.
What makes it different
Think of a dish pack as a small, strong crate in cardboard form. The carton is built heavier than a book box, and it is usually paired with layers of packing paper and cell dividers so each piece sits in its own space. The point is cushioning on every side. Where a normal box leaves you to improvise, a dish pack turns the job into a routine.
Packing it well
- Tape the bottom seam in both directions and line it with crumpled packing paper.
- Wrap each plate or bowl on its own in packing paper and stand plates on edge, never flat.
- Wrap glasses and cups individually and place them toward the top, with the heaviest items at the base.
- Fill every gap with paper until nothing moves when you tilt the carton.
- Close the lid, tape it, and mark the carton fragile and kitchen on every side.
Where it fits in a full-service move
Packing is one of the accessorial services federal rules list: section 375.103 names protective packing and unpacking at personal residences as a core part of what a household goods carrier offers. O'Brien's packing comes as full, partial or box packing only, and it can pack into your own boxes. When the crew packs, you receive an itemized inventory and condition report before the work starts.
Boxes and supplies are sold at the Sparks counter. See dish-pack boxes at the Sparks counter and how to pack dishes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Packing plates flat instead of on edge
- Leaving empty space that lets items shift
- Mixing heavy pots with delicate stemware
- Skipping the label, so the carton ends up on the bottom of a stack
Ask the estimator about your kitchen during the in-home visit and the answer will fit your own dishes and cabinets.