Packing Guide for Moving Day

When it comes to moving, packing up all your belongings into boxes is often considered one of the most dreaded tasks, but one that is critical when you plan your move. Having a plan will not only save you money when moving, but will ensure that you are organized for your big day.

It is easy to think you can put this off until the last possible moment, but unless you are going to have your moving company take care of the task, you will need to start early and establish a plan.

Obtain Packing Supplies:
Order any packing supplies that you might need, like tape, moving boxes and bubble wrap. Be sure that you are using professional moving boxes that are new or in very good condition. You may not be aware that there are many specialized boxes to help make packing even easier for you. There are wardrobe boxes for your clothing that have a bar inside, so your clothes can go from closet to moving box and back into the new closet without ever taking them off the hanger. You can also find boxes specially made for electronics and even for mirrors and framed artwork. Taking these extra precautions can help ensure that your personal belongings arrive safely and in one piece.

Establish a Plan:
Once you have your boxes, you may ask yourself, “what do I do now?” The best piece of advice is to make a plan and stick to it. Some people find that packing up one room at a time works best for them. This is a wonderful way to feel a sense of accomplishment each time a room is finished. As you go along, be certain to label your moving boxes with two very important pieces of information. First, note what is inside each box so that you can easily find things when you are in your new home. Second, state what room each box should go into so that the movers will know exactly where to put everything. Taking just a little bit of time to do this will really simplify your life and make the difficult task of unpacking that much easier. Don’t forget to clearly mark any breakable items with a large “FRAGILE” on each side of the box to ensure that care is taken by the movers with these specific boxes. If you have items that you want to keep, but you don''t want the moving company to deal with, send them to storage.

Special Items:
If you are bringing your appliances with you, don’t forget that your freezer(s) will need to be defrosted first. If you are moving high-priced items, you might want to look into obtaining comprehensive coverage from your insurance company instead of depending on the moving company''s insurance, which only covers items the movers have packed themselves.

Overall, the most important thing to remember is to be prepared when moving. Stick to your plan and try to pack as early as you can. You will thank yourself when the big moving day arrives.