Packing is one of the most important steps in the relocation process, and this is true whether you’ve hired a professional moving service or have decided to move it yourself. A planned, well-executed pack will save you a lot of time and money, and it will help to avoid a great deal of stress. An improvised, poorly executed pack, on the other hand, will lead to a host of problems. And this is why so many people dealing with a large move hire a
professional packing service as well as a mover.
However, paying packers isn’t a necessity. With a good strategy and some patience, you can do this. The most important thing is that you don’t back yourself into a corner. You want to have your pack all planned out and then started at about a month prior to the move. A month may seem like a long time, but keep this in mind: Most first-time packers greatly underestimate how long it takes to pack a home properly. And it’s better to finish a little early rather than finish a little late.
Next, the two most important words in any successful and efficient pack is pare down. Moving companies charge based on weight, and even if you’re moving yourself, the more you move the more you’ll spend in terms of time and fuel. Some people have a hard time giving up their property, but when it comes to inexpensive items, it is often far more cost effective to sell those items and then repurchase them inChicago, Miami or Los Angeles. A great way to do that is to host a garage sale or to sell the items via an online auction like eBay.
When we pack, it’s a natural inclination to think in terms of the rooms we’re packing. However, what we want to do is pack for the rooms in our new home. So that may mean merging rooms and packing partial rooms. Once we know what goes in each room, we can devise a plan to organize within that room. Our goal is to keep like items for a room together as much as possible while limiting the overall weight of any one box. Light boxes are easier to move, and they greatly reduce the chance of damage.
Another important consideration is need, so as you’re breaking a room down into categories and weights, you’ll also want to factor in how soon you’ll need the items. Once you’ve got everything packed, there’s no real need to keep the boxes organized by room. In fact, the best method for loading a truck is to load based on weight and need. This will make unpacking far easier. Of course, if you’re dealing with a professional moving service, let them pack the truck how they see fit, within reason.
Don’t cheap out on the pack, such as grabbing free boxes from your local grocery. This may seem like a good idea at the time, but these boxes won’t stand up to the abuse they’ll take during a long-distance move. Instead, familiarize yourself with professional moving boxes, called cartons in the industry. They’re available in a wide array of sizes, shapes and styles, and you may be able to get them at a discount through your moving service. The best box you can buy is a China Barrel, and it’s an excellent choice for moving your most fragile belongings.
Have a strategy for each box as well. Don’t under-pack or over-pack them. If you do, you’ll compromise the structural integrity of even the best box. Don’t combine heavy items. Try to pack them alone in the smallest carton that will fit. Pack small, lightweight items together, and use packing paper to protect them individually. If you must under-pack a box, then fill the space with packing paper, and if it’s an especially large gap, you can also use pillows, blankets and the like.
When you’ve completed filling a carton, seal it tightly with packing tape. The exception to this is any box that the moving company will need to inspect prior to loading. You’ll also want to label each box. Use a black permanent marker, and write it in large, clear type. Provide a room name and a concise description of its contents. You will also want to include any important instructions, such as ‘This End Up,’ or indicators, such as ‘Fragile.’ If a carton requires a bill of lading, attach it near the area where you’ve written the label.
Following these tips should help you achieve a successful pack. Also, remember to follow any instructions provided by Anywhere Moving and Storage for packing. Failure to do so could result in a fine per your moving contract. If you’ve decided to hire a professional packer or still need to hire a moving service, take a moment to fill out our brief, no-obligation form. Our free service provides you with moving quotes from reputable movers and ancillary services.
