How to Effectively Pack and Move

Most people do not like to pack an entire home. However, early packing means less stress on moving day. Ideally, people should pack the contents of their home one month prior to the moving date.

Get Organized

First, people should collect all of the necessary cardboard boxes and packing materials. Hospitals and grocery stores tend to give leftover cardboard boxes to those who ask for them.

A folder that contains important paperwork like moving truck reservation and personal documents helps the moving process run smoothly. Additionally, each household member should pack a suitcase filled with several days' worth of clothing and toiletries. The folder and suitcases should be stored away from the moving boxes and transported in the car on moving day.

Pack Efficiently

Packing one room at a time is the most efficient approach. To speed up the packing process, people should create an open area to keep the moving materials and bring the items to be packed. Every box should be labeled with its room destination and number; the numbers let people easily calculate the total of moving containers. Also, people should take pictures of any piece of furniture as they take it apart. These pictures will be helpful when it comes time to reassemble the furniture after the move.

When packing, light items go on top of heavy objects, and fragile items should be wrapped. Each box should be filled to maximum capacity. Once the smaller household items are packed, furniture that must be taken apart can be disassembled. Sealed bags are ideal for storing screws, nails, hex keys and remote controls. It is helpful to have a box that will be the first box opened at the new house. This box should contain basic items such as paper plates, soap, a few towels, some utensils, toilet paper and a box cutter.

Complete the Job

After labeling, packing and taping each box, the boxes should be stacked in the room from which the packed items came in order to easily locate them later. A final box count helps people make sure every box makes it to the new home. After the movers clear out the old house, people should double check each room to ensure none of the boxes get left behind.

Professional Movers

Before the professional movers arrive, the old house must be completely organized. Although professional movers do not pack boxes, they do wrap and pad furniture, and they also reassemble the furniture once it arrives at the new home. Usually, movers load the moving truck in a way that snugly fits the most items, which reduces breakage and maximizes space. Typically, it takes two movers five hours to pack and load a house that is 1,000 square feet.

Many movers log each box and piece of furniture that goes into the moving truck. If the movers do not log the items, it is crucial that the customer makes an inventory to help prevent any objects from getting lost.

If an object is broken during the move, the moving company will be responsible, and the company must reimburse the customer for the damage. In some cases, customers must pay for a warranty, so it is important for people to carefully read the moving contract before they sign it.