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There is a reason that people compare moving to the death of a loved one. That is because it can be such a stressful experience. It doesn’t need to be though. We have compiled a full-proof list of tips and tricks to help you move. Follow these tips and suggestions to make your next relocation simple and easy.
Plan ahead
The most important part of any move is planning. The planning process should happen well ahead of time. Creating a moving checklist will help you avoid moving mistakes and keep everything organized. Being organized is the key to a successful move.
We will provide tips on the best way to pack a moving truck, give you packing tips for moving in a hurry, pack tips for moving furniture, and other tips that will help you move successfully.
There are so many things that can go wrong during a move. It would be almost impossible to plan for every scenario. Being prepared and doing as much research as possible will result in an easier move every time.
Clean and clear out
There is no point in packing your entire household only to throw things away that you no longer need when you unpack. Instead, have a clean-out. Sell or donate things that you no longer need. This will save on moving costs and give you a cash boost when you need it most. Have a yard sale or give everything to charity to spread good cheer.
Create a moving folder
Keep all the details of your new residence in a moving folder. This folder should include:
- The rental or purchase agreement
- Contracts for movers and service providers
- Moving checklist and planning process documents
- Timelines for deliveries
- Proof of payments
These documents should be printed and the hard copy filed in the folder. This will prevent issues if your device dies and you only have a digital copy of the file on hand.
Start packing well in advance
Start by packing items that you are not currently using, or that aren’t in season at the moment. A great place to start packing is the garage or storage area. Books, kids’ toys, and kitchen cutlery can be packed and ready to move. Just remember to leave out items that you may require before the move.
The more you pack in advance the quicker packing on a moving day will be and the less stressful the moving experience will be.
Contact your utility providers
Once the details of your move have been finalized, contact your new utility provider to schedule services. Imagine needing a hot shower after a long day of moving, only to find out you don’t have electricity for hot water. Remember to cancel the services at your old residence so that you aren’t charged extra.
Establish the essentials
Create a kit for each member of the family. The kit should include everyday essentials such as a change of clothing, your toiletries, and a toothbrush. Children’s kits should contain a few changes of clothing, their favorite toy, and a blanket. Mom should always have emergency medication on hand in case anyone needs medical attention during the move.
Comfort items and other essentials for daily life should be put into the kit. This way even if your boxes are delayed, you can still have everything you need until the boxes arrive.
Stock up on supplies
Make sure that you have everything you need for your move. Purchase everything that you need to pack and keep your items safe and secure. Supplies should include:
- Boxes
- Box cutters
- Scissors
- Packing tape
- Paper towels
- Bubble wrap
- Labels
- Permanent markers
- Garbage bags
- Other essentials
- Packing peanuts
- Packing tape in various colors
If you hire a moving company they will provide a furniture dolly, furniture pads, covers, tie-down straps, and ropes. If you need to move expensive art or irregular items you may require specialist movers for the job.
Hire a truck with a loading ramp
Lifting heavy boxes can be very tiring and put a lot of strain on your body. Hire a moving truck that has a loading ramp, this may cost a little more, but the added convenience of not needing to lift heavy boxes will save you time and help to limit your stress levels.
Tips for packing perfectly
Use the correct boxes
You may think that loading everything into one big box will be the best option, but this isn’t true. A large box filled with heavy items will be very difficult to move. Instead, pack heavy items in smaller boxes that are easy to lift. Remember to mark these boxes. Large boxes can be filled with lightweight items such as pillows or bedding.
When packing the truck, the heaviest boxes should be loaded into the truck first.
Don’t leave space in the boxes and number them
Make sure that you don’t leave unnecessary space in the boxes. If there is space, fill it with clothing items or packing paper. A full box is much more stable and can be moved more easily than one that has empty spaces.
An excellent way to ensure that you don’t lose any of your boxes is to number and label them. Each box should have a number, a label, and a content description. The final destination of the box should be printed on the label so that the mover knows exactly where the boxes need to be taken to. If your boxes are numbered, it will be very easy to see if something is missing.
Moving art
If you collect art, then you will be familiar with how expensive art can be. If you’re moving expensive artwork it’s important to hire special movers that can handle this complicated task. A DIY or experienced mover may damage the piece and not know how to protect it during transit.
There are rules to moving artwork so make sure you hire a moving company that is well established and has experience moving precious artwork. Art should be moved in a special moving crate and packed using special instructions.
Tips for packing your kitchen
Another rooky mistake that people that are new to moving make is packing their kitchen boxes incorrectly. Plates should be individually wrapped in paper, then wrapped in bubble wrap in groups of 4 or 6. They should always be packed on their sides and never on the back. Use bunched-up packing paper or packing beads between the items so they are less likely to break.
Cups and bowls can be packed inside each other with a layer of packing paper between them. Glasses should be packed in a box that has cardboard dividers to help protect the glass from breaking, wrap each glass individually, then layer with bubble wrap or packing paper for extra protection.
Hacks for packing your kitchen include:
- Use pots to hold smaller items
- Pack plates vertically
- Pack essential appliances in laundry baskets
- Stack your pots and pans
- Wrap your utensils tray
Packing tips for moving in a hurry
Sometimes you may not have the time to plan and you will need to move in a hurry. This is not ideal and will add to your stress levels. We have compiled a few tips and tricks on how to move when you need to move in a hurry.
- Pack now, sort later: There won’t be time to decide what to pack and what to get rid of. Pack everything in a box and sort it out at your new destination.
- Repurpose: Use soft items like towels, blankets, and socks, to pack around breakable items.
- Pack your clothing as is: Clothing can be packed directly hanger and all. This will save time on packing and unpacking at your new destination. Wrap a strong garbage bag around them for added protection. Tape closed dressers and drawers and move them, contents and all.
- Ask for assistance: Ask your friends and family to help you move. Extra hands are essential when you need to relocate in a hurry. The more helpers you have, the more you can delegate. Give each person a room or area they are responsible for packing. To reward your helpers keep them well fed and hydrated. A few pizzas and drinks will go a long way to keep your helpers happy and ready to assist.
- Hire professionals: professional movers are very skilled and can pack up an entire household in a couple of hours. If you need to relocate in a hurry, a professional will probably be your best option.
Tips for packing your bedroom
1.Don’t empty your dresser
You may be tempted to start unpacking the contents of your dresser and drawers into boxes but this is simply a waste of time. If you’re moving the item then leave everything inside and simply tape it shut. Make sure everything is secure and can be lifted easily.
2. Leave your clothes on the hangers
Simply wrap clothing in large garbage bags and leave them on the hanger. When you need to unpack. Simply hang it in the wardrobe and remove the bag. Done and dusted.
3. Roll your clothing
To save space while packing, roll your clothing before packing them into boxes. Packing clothing straight on top of each other will take up more space and make the box seem unstable and heavier.
4. Use large outdoor garbage bags
Outdoor garbage bags are much stronger and won’t break as easily as the normal type. Use the bags to carry towels, linens, toys, and other non-breakable items.
5. Use liquor store boxes for shoes
If you have a large shoe collection, the best way to keep them organized is to use boxes that have a divider. Your local liquor store should have the types of boxes you need and they are normally willing to part with them for free.
6. Protect your mattress
If you don’t have a mattress protector or bag to move it in. use a fitted sheet over both sides of the mattress. This will keep it clean and prevent it from being damaged during the move.
Think about the fact you need to unpack
After a long hard day of moving, chances are you are going to be very tired. After all is said and done you will need a shower, a meal, and a good night’s sleep. Pack boxes that you need easy access to in the front of the truck. Each box should be delivered to the room that will be its final destination.
Remember to pack essentials such as soap, towels, shampoo, and toothpaste somewhere that can be found easily. Pack a kit for each member of the family that contains everything they need to get a good night’s sleep.
It might be a good idea to get a food delivery or take-out on the first night, so you don’t need to cook. If this isn’t an option, then make a quick easy meal such as hot dogs and use paper plates to reduce the amount of cleaning.
Wrapping it all up
Although moving can be a very stressful experience, with a bit of planning and knowing how your move can, and will be successful. If you require experts in the field at Jordan River Moving we always have you covered. If you require any assistance, simply give us a call for a no-obligation-free quote.
We are experts in the field and can handle every aspect of your move from the start to the end. Relax and take a step back, we will take care of the rest on your behalf.
Moving doesn’t need to be such a daunting task, so relax, take a deep breath, and count to 10. If your budget allows, why not hire an expert so that you can eliminate all your stress? It may cost a little more but your peace of mind will pay for itself.
Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help make your next move run smoothly. Let us know in the comments if you have any other tried and tested moving hacks.
