Gather Supplies
Before you even begin packing up your home, you need to purchase or gather packing and moving supplies. If you don’t have time for this step, let us know and we can send them to you.
Here’s a few things you will need:
Boxes (you can buy these or get them from your local grocery or liquor store but cardboard boxes designed for moving really are the best way to keep everything safe in the truck)
Bubble wrap or a dish pack kit and gas pack kit (you can also use clothes, blankets, towels to keep your breakables safe)
Labels
Markers
Packing paper or newspaper
Packing tape
Tape dispenser for packing tape
Plastic tubs if you don’t want to use boxes
Stretch plastic wrap (if you skip this part, we always bring it and wrap all of your furniture anyways)
Furniture pads (we will also bring these, but you are welcome to get extra just in case or use your own)
Box cutter
Take pictures
Do you have anything you need to disassemble that has a bunch of wires or cords such as electronics, computers, televisions? Be sure to take pictures of how these cords and wires are set up so when you move you won’t have to guess.
When it’s time to start packing
The earlier you start packing, the better and easier it will be for you on moving day. The best thing is to start early by packing out of season items and stuff that you use infrequently.
Little by little = a lot
Pack a little at a time. If you’re moving in a month or two and pack one box a day, you will be all packed before the big day! Plus waiting until the last moment can be overwhelming. Just work on all the “extra” stuff you don’t use that often and pack one room at a time. Another advantage of starting early is if you run out of packing supplies, you will have plenty of time to run out, get some more, and finish packing everything before the movers get there. If you’re not done packing and need help though, we can help with that too!
Room by room
It’s best to pack one room at a time, that way you won’t get overwhelmed or lose your focus. Just pack a couple of boxes each day and this will add up over time and get your ready for the big day. A good way to keep track of each room is to use a different color marker or a different color tape for each room and be sure to label all the boxes on multiple sides.
Which box do I use?
Remember that it’s best to pack heavier items in smaller boxes or add light stuff in boxes with heavy items. That way you won’t hurt yourself when you’re unpacking and moving boxes around later. If you have large boxes, pack lighter stuff in there like pillows and things that don’t weigh a lot. Be sure to use small boxes for any breakable items like electronics, glass or dishes and label the boxes FRAGILE. A good way to keep dishes safe is to add clothes or towels and dish rags around them for safe travels. Be sure to also pad the bottom of each fragile box. Try to get each box as full as possible because they will be stacked in the moving truck. Another great way to ensure everything is moved safely is to pack in plastic bins with lids. Anything unbreakable items that are in a dresser doesn’t have to be packed in a box, we can just wrap the entire dresser up so the drawers stay in tact during your move.
Secure, Label, Organize
Once your boxes are full, be sure to use plenty of tape to secure the tops and bottoms of the boxes. Label the boxes by room and if you have somewhere to start stacking everything (like a garage) that is helpful. Otherwise, just stack the boxes in the corner of each room where they will be easy to access on moving day. If you have large items you have to take apart like furniture, be sure to take off the hardware, put it in a plastic bag, and secure it to that particular piece of furniture so you don’t lose it later on moving and re-assembly day.
Items to pack in your own vehicle
There are some items you may need on your trip, since you may not be moving at the same time as the moving van. Here are some suggestions of what to pack into your own vehicle and not the moving truck.
Cash, credit cards, checkbooks
Electronics and mobile chargers
Family photos or heirlooms
Important personal papers like deeds, wills, bonds, stocks, etc….
Insurance policies
Mobile phone
Moving documents or reservations
Official ID or passport
Photo albums
Perishable food items or alcoholic beverages
Prescriptions
Sentimental items
Toothbrush, shampoo, soap and personal items
Valuable Jewelry or collections
Non-allowable items
Some items can be moved in your personal vehicle, but are not allowed to be moved on the interstate across state lines in a moving truck. Pack these items in a box and be sure to put them in your vehicle and not to be put in the moving van.
These items include:
Ammunition or gun powder
Auto repair chemicals
Chemicals or poison
Firearms
Fireworks
Flammable or explosive items
Gasoline
Illegals items or substances
Kerosene
Lighter Fluid
Live animals or plants
Matches
Nail Polish or nail polish remover
Oxygen bottles
Paint or paint thinner
Propane tanks
Radio pharmaceuticals
