Whether it's your first move or your 10th, moving a household is a stressful experience. We want every night in your new home, including the first night, to be full of great memories, so we’ve compiled a list of tips for packing and moving. Our goal is to help you get set up sooner in your new space more quickly, giving you more time to enjoy it.
Packing tips
1. Pack items room by room
It will make your unpacking processes more manageable.
2. Use the right size boxes
Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in bigger ones. Large boxes packed with heavy items are hard to move and there’s a higher risk of things breaking.
3. Label each box
Labeling each box by room location and a small description of the contents will help when unpacking items at your new home.
4. Pack boxes from the heaviest items to the lightest
If you're packing the truck yourself, put boxes that weigh more towards the front to help balance the load.
5. Bundle breakables
Put packing paper around each dish and wrap bundles of five or six together with more paper. Dishes should be packed on their side, never flat, and use plenty of bunched-up paper as padding above and below. Items like cups and bowls can be stacked, with paper in between, and wrapped in a bundle.
6. Tape boxes well
Use tape to close the top and bottom, then make a couple of wraps around the top and bottom edges to help alleviate stress.
7. Consider other items that may need special packaging
Do your research on items like plasma TVs. These require special wooden crates for moving (if you don't have the original box) and can be ruined if you lay them flat.
Moving tips
1. Start with a clean slate
Make packing your belongings easier on yourself by sorting through and getting rid of items you don't use. You'll have less to pack and unpack, and you'll start in your new place with a clean slate.
2. Start packing items as soon as possible
Start by packing items you don't use often. When it comes down to the last few days before the big move, the last thing you'll want to think about is whether you packed ALL of those items you've hidden away in those hard to reach cupboards.
3. Book services early
If you're hiring movers, renting supplies, or having services such as painters or cleaners work on the house, book them as soon as you can. Waiting until the "last minute" might result in services being booked or paying higher prices.
4. Invest in equipment
A few days before the big move, stock up on supplies like box cutters, band-aids, permanent markers, packing tape, and garbage bags.
Consider renting larger equipment from a moving company. You'll want to have access to equipment like a furniture dolly, furniture pads or covers, and tie-down straps or rope.
5. Get a truck with a loading ramp
If you're a DIY mover, you may want to consider renting a truck with a ramp. It may be cheaper to rent a truck without one but the hassle (and struggle) of lifting every box and piece of furniture high enough to get it into the vehicle will add hours to your move. Not to mention some seriously sore muscles!
6. Schedule utilities for your new place
Once you know your move-in date, contact your utility providers to schedule service at your new home. At the same time, request service stops at your current home.
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