Moving is never easy. Whether you want to move around the corner or across the country, you need all the help and advice that you can find. The tips, information, and advice provided here should make the packing and relocation of your household goods easier.
If you’re looking to move soon, the amazing, in-depth tips provided here are some of the things that have been found to work over the years. The tips come from people that have moved locally, across states, and even across the country. Here are the top 10 moving tips.
#1. Get Rid of Clutter
Go through your attic, basement, and store areas, and start making hard decisions on what you no longer use. Have a yard sale or Craigslist household goods, old furniture, sports equipment, etc. that you no longer use 1 or 2 months before the move.
Not only will this help you get rid of items that you rarely use, but it will also help free up space so you can see what else you have to move/pack. Opting not to take infrequently used items with you can also help you save on moving costs.
#2. Schedule Your Movers (Bonded and Insured) or Moving Truck in Advance
Peak season should be avoided if possible because that time of year will only add to your moving costs. You should ideally move in the middle of the month and the middle of the week since it will be easier for you to either rent a moving truck or schedule movers. You should also not forget to schedule your utility shut-offs and turn-ons.
#3. Head to the Local Paint Store or Liquor Stores for Free Boxes If You Are Moving Yourself
If you are not hiring a moving firm, buy some dish pack boxes for fragile items and breakables if you don’t wish to wrap all your items. Purchase high-quality used boxes from Verde Trader. You can use liquor boxes for glassware, which will allow you not to have to wrap everything.
Liquor boxes are particularly useful for moving glassware since all you have to do is slide them into each open bottle space, tape it, mark it, and it will be ready for the move. If you are donating items, be sure to mark boxes not just for their contents but whether or not they are fragile.
#4. Use Bubble Wrap, Packing Peanuts, or Blank Newsprint for Breakables
If you are packing yourself, you can buy bubble wrap at an office or packing supply store. The blank newsprint is ideal for preventing black ink smudges of the printed newspaper. You can also consider buying pre-made packing sleeves for your breakables.
The packing sleeves are listed for glassware and plates, but they can also be used for packing small knick-knacks as well as photos. Pack away larger breakables using towels. To prevent furniture dings, get a few moving blankets.
#5. Avoid Packing More in a Box Than You Are Capable of Lifting
It might seem obvious, but you may be tempted sometimes to just fill up the empty space in a box. If there’s still empty space after you have packed the maximum weight limit, you should fill the rest of the space with lightweight, unbreakable items such as towels or use packing pillows.
#6. Use a Sharpie to Label Each Packed Box
If the movers are responsible for the packing, follow them around and do a better labeling job than they do. Essential kitchen items should be labeled as “kitchen essential box 1/20” to avoid having to dig through 20 boxes to make a pot of coffee.
Have those boxes as well as your bed, blankets, sheets, and pillows loaded last on the truck so that they will be the first ones to get off the moving truck and you have a bed that you can set up to sleep in that first night in your new home, and a cup of coffee the following morning.
Keep a master moving checklist of all boxes and the number per room (kitchen 20 boxes, child A’s room 12 boxes, etc.). If you’re using a moving service, photograph the boxes with a timestamp. If any of the boxes are crushed upon arrival, inspect them for damages so that you can file a claim.
#7. Designate a “Do Not Pack” Room If Movers Are Packing for You
It is important that you not only designate a “do not pack” room but also tape signs to the closed-door stating exactly that. Trash cans should be marked “do not pack” since some moving companies will actually pack your trash.
In the room designated “do not pack”, store your toiletries, medicines, food, electronics, jewelry, personal papers (important documents such as mortgage papers, birth certificates, passports, car ownership documents, etc.), as well as a suitcase full of clothing. Move the items yourself.
Set up a second box or suitcase containing “first day” items such as light bulbs, garbage bags, soap, toilet paper, and a set of towels for every family member.
#8. Mark Off Any Dings and Dents in Your Furniture
If you will be using movers, follow them around as they mark off the dings and dents in your furniture. Take a time-stamped photo at that time (a newspaper with the date and a picture of the mover marking the item further provides proof that those were the only dings and dents in your furniture at the time of the move. It is an important step that can help with any damage claims.
Go over each piece of furniture as it is unloaded or even on the truck if there’s light and room and try identifying any new damage immediately so that you can file a claim. Bring that to the mover’s attention when they are unloading.
#9. Confirm that Beds Are the Final Pieces of Furniture to be Loaded on the Truck
Beds will be the first item to be unloaded from the truck and set up immediately. Put pillows and linens on the beds as soon as possible after you have set them up. At the end of a long moving day, it is always good to have beds ready and waiting. After you walk into the new house, you should unpack your toilet paper, towels, and bathroom toiletries, and deposit those suitcases full of clothes in each room.
#10. Unpack a Box Completely and Put Everything Away
If it is the movers doing the unpacking, they will just unpack everything and leave it in the middle of the room without putting anything away. However, they will take away all the wrappings and boxes. To dispose of the excess boxes, you can freecycle them. Simply leave them on the curb for any interested party.
