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Moving And Packing Tips
Whether you are planning a small move across town or a major relocation across the country, there are numerous moving and packing tips that can make your move a smooth one.
A smooth move means less stress. And lets face it -moving is stressful. There is no sense in adding stress by being unorganized.
Things to consider before you start packing.
- Why pack it if you don't need it!
The best way to save money is to rid yourself of anything that is not worth moving. If you are not going to have a use for an item in a new location, have a garage sale or yard sale. Sell it for what ever you can get for it. If you haven't used something in more than two years, you probably don't need it.
- Pack your suitcases
If you have luggage, make sure you pack clothes in them before you move, you would be surprised how many people move with empty suitcases.
- Get a floor plan of your new house or apartment
Having a floor plan, ( even if it is drawn up by you ) can help you plan your move. Mark each room with a color code. You then can mark each moving box with the corresponding color as you pack.
Most hobby stores will have stickers that you can buy that are basically round colored dots. Place them on your moving boxes and then give the movers the floor plan before your move. The movers are then able to plan how the truck is packed for the unpack.
A good tip involving color coding is to print a large dot with each of the colors used on your home printer. Before your movers start unloading your boxes, go to each door in your new home and post the big dots as a guide for the movers. A mistake that most people make is to mark boxes with information that someone outside the household can not understand (i.e. Jamie's room etc.).
Having a floor plan that is drawn loosely to scale can also help you arrange your furniture in your new home. Just cut out small boxes and mark them sofa, coffee table etc. and move them around on your plan. Sometimes what seems to fit in your old home may not fit in your new home. This can save you a lot of time and money because if it doesn't fit in your new home, why move it there. Sell it before you move.
- Use a good felt tip marker
Even if you mark your moving boxes with the color code as explained above, you should still use a good felt tip marker and mark the moving boxes with other information. If the moving boxes contain fragile items, clearly mark it fragile on all sides.
This not only tells the movers that the contents are breakable, but it also tells them to load the fragile boxes on top in the moving van for maximum protection during your re-location. On one flap of the moving box, mark briefly what is in the box ( Do not make a major list ). An alternative to this is to give each box a number and make an inventory list as you pack the box. This is the best method but it takes a very organized person to implement.
- Open me first moving boxes ( Where did I pack the toilet paper? )
Your moving boxes may start out very organized but it all can get out of hand very quickly.
A common scenario is starting to move into your new home and finding out at very awkward moment that the previous occupants have not left you any toilet paper. To avoid this awkward situation, pack and mark OPEN ME FIRST moving boxes and ask the movers to load them at the back of the moving van.
By doing this, the OPEN ME FIRST moving boxes will be the first moving boxes to come off the moving truck. This is important because even if you have marked the moving boxes OPEN ME FIRST and packed the essential items into them, the moving boxes could be buried in the moving truck under several hundred other moving boxes, which would render them useless.
The OPEN ME FIRST moving boxes should not only consist of the emergency essential items as described above but also with living essentials your family will undoubtedly need for the first overnight. Fill your OPEN ME FIRST moving boxes with snacks, coffee,daily prescriptions, towels, various bathroom items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and of course toilet paper.
OPEN ME SECOND moving boxes should include flashlights, can openers, paper plates and cups, plastic utensils, screwdrivers, scissors and pliers basically any tools that you may require to put your living items back together ( bed frames etc. ). The most Important item for the OPEN ME FIRST BOX is a knife to open the rest of your boxes. It is good idea to purchase a box cutter and keep it in your pocket.
How to pack moving boxes.
- Do not overfill your moving boxes
Overfilled moving boxes can't be stacked on top of one another. Being able to stack your boxes, whether on a handtruck or in the back of a moving van, saves time and money. If you store are going to store some boxes, properly stacked boxes take up much less space.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes.
Packing heavy items in large boxes may make them too heavy to lift. Additionally, boxes that are too heavy cannot be stacked on other boxes. Large boxes are ideal for packing bedding, clothing, etc. Of course a wardrobe box makes packing clothing even easier. A wardrobe box can also be used to store out-of-season clothing. For more information on types of moving boxes and how to pack them, see the moving boxes page.
- Let someone else pack the drapes and rugs
Send out rugs and draperies to be cleaned before your move and leave them in the cleaner's wrappings for the move.
Use basic moving supplies to protect your belongings.
- Use packing paper to wrap dishes
Using newspaper to wrap dishes may result in the ink staining your dishes. Packing paper is clean paper used to wrap dishes or any breakable fragile objects. Bubblewrap is also excellent for wrapping dishes.
- Protect your mattress and boxsprings
Using mattress bags will protect your mattress and boxsprings from dust, dirt and water damage during a move.
- Protect you furniture with shrink wrap
Shrink wrap provides a barrier against dirt, dust or water damage for your furniture. It also provides some protection against scratches on wood furniture. See moving supplies page for more information on how to use stretch wrap and other basic moving supplies to protect your belongings during a move.
Moving with pets.
- Think about how you will transport your pets
Most likely you will transport your pets in your car with you. Make sure that you have plenty of water, food, ( if it is a long trip ) a leash and paper towels and newspaper ( for those little accidents)
Animals can get car-sick, so you can't just drive straight through. Your pet will require plenty of stops. If your relocation is an overnighter make sure that any hotel where you would like to stay will allow pets.
If you are planning on shipping your pet by air, you can phone ahead to a kennel to have someone from the kennel meet your pet at the destination airport and take care of it until you arrive or keep your pet until you have completed your move.
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