How to Prepare for a Move

1. Clean and Sort as You Go

Instead of packing up a cluttered mess, then only to unpack it later is counter-productive. Take a hard look at those nick knacks or the stuff in your junk drawer. Will it hurt you to just part with them forever? Be ruthless and take a hard look.

2. Create a Master To-Do List

Moving from your home to a new location is more than just packing some boxes and throwing them in the car. There are about twenty-thousand things you have to remember such as cancelling your TV service, returning any rented equipment, fixing nail holes in the walls, hiring a moving company, and so much more.

Instead of trying to keep a list in your head, create a master to-do list so that you can keep your tasks organized and check each item off one by one.

3. Create a Moving Calendar

Take the next step and organize your to-do list and spend an hour or two planning out the items on your to-do list. Grab a calendar and fill out the dates with important to-do items to prepare for your move.

The plus side to using the calendar strategy is that planning out your tasks by day makes the process seem more manageable. Also, don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments and feel good about the getting things done.

4. Start Collecting Moving Boxes

When it comes time to pack and organize your belongings, the last thing you want to do is run out of boxes in the middle of a packing session. Plan ahead by visiting your local grocery or retail store and collect more boxes than you think you’ll need. Make a stock pile in your garage or basement so that you always have plenty of boxes on hand for the packing process.

Make sure, however, that the boxes you collect are not too worn or tattered. It does no good if your boxes are soggy and torn. Also, make sure that the boxes or plastic totes that you use have lids.

5. Buy Packing Supplies before You Start

Make a run to the hardware store to buy all the packing supplies you might need. Grab extra rolls of packing tape, sharpie markers for labelling boxes, zip ties, bubble wrap, and anything else you think you might need. Packing paper is what the pro’s use. It’s easier and cheaper than bubble wrap. Bubble wrap has good uses but it’s not needed on all items.

5. Buy Packing Supplies before You Start

Make a run to the hardware store to buy all the packing supplies you might need. Grab extra rolls of packing tape, sharpie markers for labelling boxes, zip ties, bubble wrap, and anything else you think you might need. Packing paper is what the pro’s use. It’s easier and cheaper than bubble wrap. Bubble wrap has good uses but it’s not needed on all items.

6. Pack Things You Don’t Need First

Pack up your wall hangings and nick knacks several weeks before you move. These decorative items can be some of the most challenging to store because they’re fragile and often cumbersome, so planning ahead so that you can figure out how to properly cushion them is crucial.

When you’re trying to pack the house a week before the move and feeling like you’re about to go crazy, you’ll be relieved that your favorite landscape painting is safe and sound in its bubble wrap.

7. Label Your Moving Boxes Strategically

The trick to organizing your stuff properly is labeling all of your packed boxes accurately and clearly. When the boxes are being stacked in a moving van, the tops of the boxes won’t be visible, so make sure the sides are labelled as well. If you feel that a box must be kept in the upright position you can mark arrows on the sides indicating your preference.

Another tip is to label the boxes by category and by room so that the unloading process is much simpler.

Packing can seem overwhelming. Again, starting early and just finishing a box or two a day will pay off in the end.

8. Put Heavy Items in Smaller Boxes

It seems logical and obvious, but you’ve probably experienced the struggle of carrying a large cumbersome box that weighs a ton up a flight of steps. Pack your heavier items into smaller boxes and smaller or lighter things into bigger boxes. This will make it easier on you and the moving crew so that each box is able to be properly lifted and moved with ease.

9. Pack Fragile Belongings Safely

When you are purchasing moving supplies, be sure to grab a roll of bubble wrap or some inexpensive blankets to use as padding. Use these protective cushions to pad all your fragile decorative items and dishware. Also, be sure that you wrap each fragile item separately so that they are cushioned on every side. Use your bath towels, hand towels blankets, small pillows and cushions as cushioning. These have to get packed anyway. Place glasses, mugs, and figures in socks. This is an easy way to add another layer of cushioning.

10. Pack a Bag with Personal Toiletries

Regardless of when you plan to start moving everything to the new house, keep a separate bag of personal items so that for your first night in your new home, you won’t be scrounging around the maze of boxes looking for your toothbrush.

It would also be ideal to keep aside some toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels for when your moving crew needs to use the restroom. Make sure to keep the boxes that contain must-have-items “in-sight”. If the movers take these make sure they are aware of them and that the boxes are marked as VIP. You’ll be happy that you followed this one 😉