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Moving Tips
Let’s face it Moving days are never easy. After all, no one looks forward to lifting heavy boxes in and out of trucks, up and down stairs. However, moving day doesn’t have to be completely chaotic, either. All it takes is a little planning and forethought to make the day run smoothly. Incorporate some of these moving tips into your packing plan to help this would-be-stressful process go off without a hitch.
Schedule your move strategically
If you’re hoping to get a better rate on a moving company or rental truck, avoid scheduling your move on weekends or at the end of the month. These companies are usually slower during the week/mid-month and are willing to give deals. If you’re hiring a moving company, try to book the earliest morning time slot available. The moving crew will be fresh, so they’ll typically get the job done more efficiently.
Watch the weight of your boxes
Be careful not to pack boxes that are too heavy, not only will they be a literal pain for your movers on moving day, but they’ll be difficult for you to move around while packing. Try to stick to a 30-pound limit for each box and, when packing heavier items like books, use smaller boxes. This will keep you from overloading.
Pack non-essential items first
Don’t just start boxing up everything in sight, Pack up your belongings in a strategic manner. Go room-by-room and begin by packing up items that you do not use very often, like décor and accessories. Leave the things that you use frequently for last. This will save you time scouring boxes you already packed for that one item you need!
Stop by your local liquor store!
No, this isn’t about stress management! Ask the management of your local liquor store for any boxes that they’re ready to throw out. Bottles of booze can be very heavy, so those shipping boxes tend to be sturdy. Liquor stores gladly give the boxes away free so they don’t have to break them down. Just choose boxes wisely to avoids smells and stains.
Book Early
If you're hiring moving services, renting supplies, or hiring professionals such as painters or cleaners to work on the house, book early. Waiting to do so could mean paying a higher price, or not being able to get a truck or movers at all, particularly if it's peak moving season.
SAY GOODBYE TO UNUSED STUFF
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Packing all your possessions into boxes, bags, and more can be overwhelming. Make it a little bit easier on yourself by cutting back on clutter as much as possible. Before you pack a single box, do a merciless purge of unused or unnecessary items. You'll have less to pack, less to move, and less to unpack—and you'll start life in your new space with a clean slate.
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Make donation pick-up arrangements. If you know you’ll be donating big items like furniture and rugs, schedule a pick-up ahead of time so you can be sure you have an organization pick them up. Check out this list of charities that pick up your donations so that you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to transport everything.
Label each box with the room it's destined for
This will help you and your movers know where every box belongs in your new place. Numbering each box and keeping an inventory list in a small notebook is a good way to keep track of what you've packed―and to make sure you still have everything when you unpack.
Take special care packing the kitchen for moving
Packing the kitchen involves a lot of different types of items. Learn how pack dishes for moving: Put packing paper around each dish, then wrap bundles of five or six together with more paper. Pack dishes on their sides, never flat. And use plenty of bunched-up paper as padding above and below. Cups and bowls can be packed inside one another, with paper in between, and wrapped three or four in a bundle. Pack them all in dish-barrel boxes. When you pack glasses for moving, use a box with cardboard dividers to help protect the glasses, and wrap them in plenty of layers of paper to protect them.