There are many things that can go wrong when moving. There are many moving details, so there is no one-size-fits-all guide that will give you moving tips for every scenario. There will be specific concerns and needs of different people, such as how to pack china, and safely move valuable wood furniture or fragile heirlooms. However, these tips and tricks by professionals and removalists should help most people.
Tips, tricks, and advice for moving
1. Declutter everything
It can be difficult to pack all your belongings into bags and boxes. Reduce clutter wherever possible to make it easier. Do a thorough purge of all unnecessary and unneeded items before you start packing. This will make it easier to pack, move and unpack less. You’ll also have a fresh start in your new space.
2. Make a moving file
Collect new addresses, rental papers, purchase papers, and moving contracts in one folder. In case your phone or computer batteries fail, consider keeping a hard copy of everything you need. You’ll be able to answer any questions during the planning or actual move.
3. As far ahead as you can pack
The ideal is to know about your move weeks, or even months ahead of time. You should start by packing out-of-season items, and those you will not be able to part with. You can pack winter coats and books in advance if you are moving during summer. Many items are already packed and ready to go when it comes time to move. This will make things easier.
4. Get your tickets early
Book early if you are looking to hire moving services, rent supplies, or hire professionals like painters and cleaners to work on your house. If you wait, you might end up paying more or not being able to get a truck or movers, especially if it is peak season.
5. Schedule utilities for your new location
After you have finalized the dates, contact your utility companies to schedule service at your new residence. It’s not a good idea to arrive at your new home exhausted from moving and only to discover that the heat, electricity, and water are out. You can schedule it in advance and keep track of all your requests in your moving file. You can also request service stops at your current residence for your move-out day.
6. Take only the essentials
The night before you move, make sure you have all your essentials, such as a change of clothes and a toothbrush. Also, be sure to bring any paperwork or stuffed animals that you need, along with medications. In case of an emergency, you will have some things to help you get through it.
7. Stock up on supplies
Stock up on supplies a few days before your big move. It’s not a good idea to run to the grocery store when you are packing boxes and moving stuff around. Buy or order box cutters, permanent markers, packing tape, and paper towels. They’ll still be useful if they aren’t used all during the move.
Renting moving equipment from a company is a good option for larger items. These tools may be more cost-effective if you are moving frequently. You can rent, buy, or borrow furniture dollies, furniture covers, and furniture pads.
8. A loading ramp is a must for trucks.
A truck that has a ramp is essential for DIY movers. Although renting a truck with a ramp is cheaper, the effort of lifting each piece of furniture up high enough to load it into the truck can add hours to your move.
Moving tips: Packing tips
1. Use the correct size boxes
Books and other heavy objects should be packed in small boxes when moving. Lighter items like pillows and linens can be packed in larger boxes.
2. Place heavier items at the bottom of the boxes. Lighter items should be placed on top
For balance, you should pack your largest boxes towards the front of your truck if you are loading them yourself.
3. Do not leave any empty boxes
You can fill in the gaps with clothes, towels, and packing paper. Unbalanced or loosely packed boxes are often not allowed to be moved by movers.
4. Do not mix items from different rooms into the same box.
It will speed up your packing and make unpacking much easier.
5. Label each box with the room it’s destined for and a description of its contents
This will allow you and your movers to know exactly where each box is located in your new home. It’s a great way to keep track and make sure everything is still in its place when you move.
6. Tape your moving boxes carefully
Tape a few pieces to seal the top and bottom seams. Next, use one of the movers’ methods–wrapping a few wraps around the top and bottom edges of the box, which is where stress is concentrated.
7. Ask your mover for special crating if you are moving art that is very expensive.
To ensure that your artwork is safe, you need to know how to pack it. Oil paintings should not be wrapped in regular paper. They will stick. To strengthen the glass and hold it together in case it breaks, place masking tape on top of your pictures to make an X. Wrap the pictures in bubble wrap or paper and place them in a box with a piece of cardboard between each frame.
8. Pack your kitchen carefully for the move
There are many items that you need to pack in your kitchen. How to pack dishes for moving? Wrap each dish in packing paper, wrap them with more paper, and then tie the bundles of five or six together. Do not pack dishes flat. Use lots of bunched-up newspaper as padding. Cups and bowls can also be placed inside each other, with paper between. Then wrap three to four of them in a bundle. You can pack them all in dish-barrel containers.
To protect glasses when moving, wrap them in layers of paper and place them in a cardboard box.
9. Your wardrobe should be in order
You have a variety of options for packing clothes to move. If the clothes are not too heavy, you can put them in suitcases or cardboard boxes. You can hang clothes in a wardrobe box that is specially designed for hanging. You don’t need to figure out how to pack your hangers to move!
When you are packing shoes for moving, make sure to protect them from one another. To prevent sharp heels and buckles from damaging your other shoes, wrap each pair of shoes separately. To help shoes retain their shape, you can put socks inside.
You can reuse jewelry when you pack it. To keep your necklaces from getting tangled, string them through straws and toilet paper rolls.
10. How to pack your TV for moving
Moving companies wrap TVs in furniture pads and treat them like other furniture. If you don’t own the original box, plasma TVs require special wooden crates to ship. They can also be damaged if they are laid flat. Double-box your TV and place the box with the TV in another box. You can then wrap the paper with packing paper.
