The Ultimate Guide to Pack Like a Professional Mover and Make Moving Easier
Moving into a new home is always an exciting time! But efficiently packing up everything you own to be moved safely to your new home can be overwhelming. It’s likely you have a limited budget, tight deadline, and too much stuff! If you are gearing up to move into your new home, we have gathered 8 tips on how to pack like a professional mover from our experts here at Careful Moving and Storage!
1. GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO PACK
One of the biggest stressors of moving is finding the time to pack everything you own. To ensure you have enough time to pack your belongings properly, start the process as soon as you make the decision to move.
2. SORT AND PURGE BELONGINGS
Pack like a professional mover by minimizing the amount of stuff you need to move. Walkthrough your home, room by room, and look through every drawer and shelf to separate what to take to your new home from what you can live without. Begin the purging process of items you no longer need by hosting a yard sale, posting them online for sale or giveaway, or donating them to a local charity.
Take this time to also start sorting items that can be packed up without interfering with your normal day to day routine. Start with seasonal items, keepsakes, decor, and things stored away in closets, attics, or basements.
Pro Tip for Valuable Items: Make sure to sort out your more delicate or valuable items. You should consider keeping important paperwork, legal documents, or high valued items close to you during the move. This will ensure all your delicate possessions are protected, important items are not lost, and expensive items remain secure.
3. STOCK-UP ON ESSENTIAL MOVING AND PACKING SUPPLIES
As soon as you make the decision to move, start gathering moving supplies and packing materials. Invest in proper safety supplies like bubble wrap and specialty containers to keep your valued items safe. Save money on moving costs by asking friends and family for any boxes or old newspapers they may have lying around.
Essential Moving Supplies and Packing Materials
- Boxes in various sizes
- Bubble wrap
- Protective packing paper or newspaper
- Packing tape
- Specialty container
- Large trash bags
- Makers to label boxes clearly
4. PACK MOVING BOXES EFFICIENTLY
Pack like a professional mover and never overpack your belongings. When you start packing up your house, make sure to maximize your moving efforts by never overpacking your boxes. Overpacking a box can lead to both damaged items and bodily harm. Never pack a moving box with anything over 50lbs; you’ll thank yourself on moving day!
Make sure to use proper care with bubble wrap and cloth to protect items that could get scratched. Use large plastic trash bags to transport soft items like linens, bedding, cushions, or clothing.
Pro-Packing Tip: Make use of unused suitcases, backpacks, and other personal bags to pack other items. This is an effective way to move personal items, important documents, and some clothes for the first few days in your new home, without using your limited moving boxes.
5. LABEL YOUR MOVING BOXES CLEARLY
Label your moving boxes use a large felt tip marker and clear descriptions of where the items in the box should go in your new home. Mimic a professional mover and indicate what is in the box, which room the box goes in, and what number that box is in the total number of boxes in that sequence. For instance, “Dishes – Kitchen – Box 1 of 3”. Chances are you will have more than one bedroom, and possible multiple bathrooms – keep your labels clear and specific.
If items are fragile, make sure to label the box clearly on multiple sides to ensure it is handled properly. To make your first night in your new home easier, label boxes that have items in them that you will need when you first get to your new home.
6. CAREFULLY PREPARE HOUSEHOLD ELECTRONICS TO BE MOVED
When packing home electronics make sure to keep any cords, wires, and cables organized to make setting them up in your new home easier. To limit any static electricity and ensure they are cool enough to move without internal damage, unplug all electronic devices at least 24 hours before moving them.
7. KNOW WHAT IS ON A “DO NOT PACK” LIST
Come moving day, it will be important to know what items you will not want to – or in some cases, will not be allowed to – pack on a moving truck. Many people choose to pack particularly valuable items in their own vehicles, as well as important or legal documents. If you choose to put higher valued or fragile items on a moving truck, make sure you receive proper valuation coverage prior to your move.
What is Valuation Coverage?: Valuation coverage is not movers insurance. Valuation is the amount of liability a professional moving company is willing to accept and reimburse you for if something is lost or damaged while in their possession.
What Not To Pack On a Moving Truck:
- Flammable liquids such as cleaning fluids
- Aerosol cans
- Fireworks
- Any open liquid or powder containers
- Fuel in power equipment and other machinery
- Water in household items like clothing steamers
8. HIRE CAREFUL MOVING & STORAGE INC. FOR ALL YOUR HOME MOVING NEEDS
Careful Moving & Storage has been providing outstanding home and office moving service in Sonoma County since 1963. Our excellent care and commitment to customer service are what have made us stand out from all the rest. All of our professional movers participate in in-depth training on consumer education and new moving technologies, while upholding all moving industry guidelines.
Contact Careful Moving & Storage Inc. Today
Are you preparing for your next home move? Contact our experts in careful moving today!