If you have already have made the decision to move one of the very important steps in the move is packing. This is probably the process that consumes the most of your time prior to the move. If packing is done right it can not only save you a lot of money, but it could be the difference between a successful move and a moving disaster. That’s why we’ve selected the top 5 moving packing tips that will help you start the move on the right foot.
1. Prepare plenty of packing supplies
Before the packing even starts you need lots of moving boxes and materials. If you’re using Professional Moving Services you can call the moving company and ask them to deliver boxes and materials to your door some time before the moving begins. In most cases this is a free delivery service and you pay only for the materials being used. What is left can be returned to the moving company without being charged for it and you save money in this way. If you want to go “hunting” for packing supplies great start locations are U-Haul, Home Depot, Lowes, craigslist and your local convenient stores.
2. Labeling
Proper labeling will help the movers handle your stuff properly.
Now that you are done with collecting packing materials it is time to get things to the next level. Designate different colors and stickers for every room in the house. This will ease the packing process and will help you stay organized after everything you own is in boxes. Make sure you post a color sign at each room at your new home to help the movers with placing the boxes and furniture in the proper rooms.
3. Important documents and valuables
The next step is to protect your documents and valuables from being packed with the rest of your items. The list with them includes:
- Passports
- Birth certificates
- Bank statements
- Utility bills
- Real estate documents
- School, dentist, doctor records
- Silverware, antiques, collections
- Jewelry
- Credit cards
- Plane/ bus, etc. tickets (if you have any)
Collect these things and put them together in one file that you should carry with you to keep it safe.
4. No allowance list
Packing by yourself will save you a lot on the final bill on movers.
List of items not allowed to be packed and transported in the moving trucks.
One thing many people forget is that there are certain items that are prohibited and not allowed in the moving vehicles. Any material that is flammable, corrosive or explosive is dangerous and therefore illegal to transport in moving trucks. This is the list with such items: motor oil, acids, charcoal, lighters, propane tanks, fertilizer, paint, batteries, nail polish and remover, aerosols, kerosene, loaded weapons, fireworks, perishable foods, stain, cleaning fluids and etc.
These items are not only prohibited from transportation, but are not allowed for warehousing and storage in transit.
5. Packing should be a fun experience
And finally make packing a fun and efficient experience. Enjoy the time you are taking to prepare yourself and your family for the upcoming changes that you are about to go through.
Do you know an important packing tip to share with us? Let us know in the comments.
I just recently moved and this article is one of the good sources that I used to help me get organized to pack. I also used a moving company and it was very easy for them to find in which room to put which box because of the good labeling I had made.
Interesting article. But I would also add that hotel reservation confirmations are important, too. For our moving we are staying at a hotel for one night before going to a our new home. Also we have a cat so we went to the vet to pick up the cat’s records and that goes into the important documents box. Since we have two kids,too, I made a list with recommended child doctors and dentists in my new neighborhood to choose from. Hope this helps.