Packing Hacks for a Smooth Move

One of the best ways to make your move easy is by planning in advance and getting your packing done ahead of time. This allows you to focus on other important tasks involved with your move and enjoy the excitement of moving into your new home. Here are some simple steps that will make your move smoother and give you the peace of mind that you’ve covered all your bases.

Getting started

When it comes to packing for your move, whether it’s a local move or you’re moving long distance, the sooner you start packing, the easier the process will be. Ideally, you should start packing at least six weeks before you must be out of your home, and if you have children or a large home with a lot of furniture and delicate items that require careful packing, add two weeks to this timeframe. Breaking down the process by room will make it easier to track your progress.

What goes, what stays

One of the first things you need to do before packing is figure out what stays, what is handled by your movers, and what goes. Chances are you’ve accumulated a lot of stuff, some of which you may have even forgotten about, since you moved into your current home. It’s time to take inventory of your belongings and figure out what has sentimental value, what you use regularly, what can go into storage, and what needs to go to charity or the dumpster. Doing this will save you a lot of time and energy before, during and after your move.

Collect boxes

Start by turning every visit to a store or shopping mall into an opportunity to collect free boxes. If you see that a store has boxes ask the store manager if you can take them off their hands. If you’re moving with a professional mover, like Suddath^®, most of them offer free used moving boxes.

Labels (lots of them)

Few things can slow you down faster than getting your boxes mixed up and having to go through several you have already packed to find something you need. Label every box you pack with its contents, a description of where the items will go in your new home, and any special handling instructions. This will help you stay organized and help the movers figure out which items go on moving day. An experienced mover will keep an inventory of each box so that everything can be accounted for when they arrive. And don’t forget to pack an essentials box.

Now that you know some smart tips to help you with your move, you can focus on the excitement of moving into a new home.