The Best Packing Tips For Moving
Do you know how to pack your house for a move? Would you like some packing tips for moving?
Moving and packing are the most stressful parts of buying or selling a house.
No doubt there is a lot of advice online for this subject. No one ever said moving was easy. Packing a house is one of the most challenging parts of moving.
Packing your home for a move can be a pain in the neck!
Gathering all of your things – typically far more than you realized you ever had – and transferring them from one place to another is challenging at the best of times.
The work is substantial and is rarely something that can be done quickly. However, there are ways to make your move a bit easier.
Knowing how to pack your home for a move can save you time and energy!
By packing with efficiency and attention to detail, you can make your move less stressful and faster overall.
One of the things you will immediately start to realize once you start packing is having a lot more “stuff” than you realize.
It is pretty standard for homeowners to underestimate their possessions significantly. For this reason, I present you with a guide on packing for moving tips.
Packing Tips For Moving
We will cover 18 tips moving and packing tips. You’ll also get advice for unpacking your house after a move. Packing a home is a real pain, but these tips for packing to move will make the process much less stressful.
Reduce Your Possessions Before Packing
Go through each area and create four piles – donate, sell, keep, and throw away. One thing that makes moving the most difficult is accumulating things that are no longer necessary.
You may have accumulated many items depending on how long you have lived in your home and your personality.
Not all these are relevant, useful, or necessary to bring to your new place. By taking the time to go through your stuff and clean out the clutter now, you can reduce the number and volume of things you must pack.
You can break it down by room or even on a smaller level, like closets and areas with different functions – office, kitchen, bathroom, etc.
Call a Junk Removal Company
The first part of any packing checklist for moving should include de-cluttering your home. You must start by removing things that won’t be coming with you.
The best way to do that is by calling one of the best junk hauling companies. My personal favorite is 1-800-Got-Junk. They are slightly higher priced than others, but you get what you pay for.
You will start by going through the house room by room and eliminating items with no value. The quicker you can get rid of these items, the better. It will make the packing and moving process go faster.
Donate to Charity
One thing that makes moving the most difficult is accumulating things that are no longer necessary. For your items that have value, one of the better ways of dealing with them is having a donation picked up by a top charity.
In our top tips for moving, this is one of the things we stress first and foremost!
If you are in a hurry, you can skip the selling part and donate to a place like Goodwill. Separate your stuff into each pile and dispose of each stack according to its function.
You can check our donation pick-up list for all the companies coming to your home to pick up donations besides Goodwill. There are quite a few excellent charities that will do this.
If you have friends, you may want to offer them first dibs on the piles you are not taking with you. Ultimately, you will have only a fraction of what you started with – things you need to pack.
If you have large pieces of furniture to donate, you can also look at our resources for that.
Have an Estate or Yard Sale
For items with significant value, you no longer want, the best route would be having an estate sale. If more of your items have a lower value, then a yard sale would be more acceptable.
Create a Packing Checklist For Moving
Having a packing-for-moving checklist can be extremely helpful.
You do not need to list everything you own, but having a list of your most valuable possessions is essential. This becomes important not so much for the packing part of your move but when you are ready to unpack.
Get Packing Supplies
One of the best packing tips for moving is to get your moving supplies early on in the process. Knowing where to get moving boxes, bags, tape, bubble wrap, paper, scissors, box cutters, blankets – what you gather will depend on what you need to move will all be essential.
Remember that once you finish the packing, you don’t want to waste time finding more packing materials.
Most of this stuff is cheap, and it is better to have too much than too little. Going from task to task efficiently – De-clutter, gathering packing materials, packing, moving, etc. – will help you avoid frustration and keep up your momentum. Get the materials you need now, so this step is done.
Estimate and Buy Your Moving Boxes
Understanding the best ways of packing boxes for moving is crucial.
Everybody packs a little differently, but some general rules are helpful. Heavier things tend to go in smaller boxes, while lighter things go in bigger boxes.
Your collection of pewter mugs will be easier to carry when divided into several smaller boxes, while your blankets and comforter will work fine in a large box.
Please take a look at our guide for the best types of boxes for moving and storage.
Moving calculators available online can help you estimate your box needs.
A good rule of thumb is to purchase a higher number of medium size boxes and fewer small and large boxes.
Medium boxes will fit most items, while only a few things go well in larger boxes.
Your need for smaller boxes will vary. One of the best places to buy boxes for a move is U-haul if you are making a local move.
Most people think of U-haul as just a place to rent a truck, but they offer much more regarding a do-it-yourself move.
You should also check out a Home Depot truck rental as well. Compare the two and see which one suits your needs the best.
Get Packing Paper For Moving
Your boxes and packing paper are the two most critical items for packing and moving. To start the process, you need these two items first. They should be at the time of your moving materials for packing, along with tape and labels.
Consider What You Will Need Most When Moving
You don’t want to pack everything just based on where it is in your house. You will need some things sooner than others once you arrive in your new home.
Things like your most used kitchen supplies, bathroom supplies, food, computer, and medicine, may all be things you want quick access to.
Set aside some boxes for essentials – things to unpack first, and fill them with the appropriate items. As much as you like to imagine yourself removing diligently immediately upon arrival, most people are too tired to unpack an entire house full of boxes on a moving day.
Prepare for this reality with priority boxes.
Set Aside Linens When Packing
One of the better packing hacks for moving is setting aside some of your linens.
Having your linens readily available will be imperative once you move into your new place unless you don’t mind being in a sleeping bag! This will be one of the priority items for getting your beds set up.
Follow Best Packing Tips For Moving Protocol
Packing boxes for moving will be crucial to get right.
There is a right way to pack a box. As you would expect, heavier items go on the bottom, with medium-weight and lighter-weight following.
If the items are essential to you, it is best to wrap them individually – as they will shift around and cause wear on each other.
Fill the space on the bottom and at the top to keep the items in place as much as possible. Both packing peanuts and paper can be used for this purpose.
Remember that you don’t want space at the top of the box. These will be stacked on each other, and space is easily crushed, causing the box to deform and possibly tear apart or expose your possessions to falling out or the elements.
Some prefer towels or light blankets instead of packing paper and peanuts.
Label Your Moving Boxes
Label each box with what it contains and where it should go. The more detailed your label is, the easier to find what you are looking for. Again, you will probably not unpack everything on the first day.
The easier it is to see what is in each box, the easier your life will be on the move.
Also, make sure that labels are found on all sides of the box because not every box will be placed upright as it’s unloaded off the truck.
Pack Your Belongings Efficiently
Heavier items belong on the bottom, and the weight of all your things should be distributed evenly in the moving truck. It may take some Tetris-like practice to get right, but it is worth the time to prevent damage to your things.
Ensure everything is secure and packed well before taking off the truck.
Plan for your next destination – are you moving directly from your current place to your next destination, or will you need your belongings in a storage facility?
Check out the tips on renting a storage unit if you use temporary storage. This guide is packed with good advice on selecting a storage facility that will match your needs and budget.
Don’t Use Trash Bags For Packing
One of the better packing tips when moving is not to use trash bags. A common mistake many people make when packing for a move is using garbage bags.
You may be wondering why not? Often people will mistake a trash bag for something that should be thrown away with something that shouldn’t. This would be an unpleasant situation to avoid.
Take Pictures of All Your Things
Another essential packing hack for moving is taking photos of your electronics.
One of the things that I dread more than anything about moving is putting all of my electronics back together. Are you the type of person that looks at a television, cable box, or DVD player and wonders how you will be able to top to put this all back together at your new place?
Without a doubt, I feel your pain! One of the best ways to help set everything back up again is to take pictures of what it looks like before dismantling it!
Having a reference of something to look at will make this process far less cumbersome. This will be especially helpful if you are not an electronics wiz.
Take pictures of all the wires leading into the back of your television. It will be far easier to get things back to how they were rather than guessing or hiring someone to do it for you.
Packing Companies For Moving
Do you want packing help for moving? You may not have known there are packing for moving companies. You can hire these companies, and they will assist in moving and packing for you.
As you might expect, a packing service for moving won’t be cheap.
Packing services typically run $40-$45 per hour. If you hire multiple packers, the hourly cost will be reduced.
Packing House Near Me
Do you dread the thought of packing your house? If so, some companies will pack your home for you. You can search online for a packing house near me or a packing house nearby, and you should see some companies that will pack your house for you.
You may also see some portals, such as Angie’s List or Thumbtack, that have compiled lists of companies that unpack a house.
Tips on Unpacking From a Move
While moving and packing is usually unpleasant, unpacking will be more fun. You are now in your new place and ready to start enjoying it. The work is not completed, but at least thinking about your new surroundings is exciting.
Here are some unpacking hacks.
Keep Your Inventory List
Have your inventory list with you to account for your most valuable possessions. Use your moving and packing lists and check them off as you unpack.
Unpack The Essentials Box First
The essentials we discussed above should be unloaded first. Get these items placed where you want them in your new home or somewhere where they can be easily accessed until you get organized.
Get The Beds Set Up
Getting the beds set up along with the more oversized furniture should be one of the top priorities in unpacking from a move. This is where the lined packing tip above will become a real time saver.
Set Up Large Furniture First
Your most oversized furniture should be placed before you unpack the incidentals. This will make organizing everything go far more smoothly.
Hopefully, you have not brought along unnecessary items and have done a furniture donation pick-up. Having done so will make your work far more manageable.
Bathrooms Should Be an Unpacking Priority
The bathroom should be next on your agenda. This is one of the more high-priority areas in a home for obvious reasons – taking a shower, brushing your teeth, going to the bathroom, etc.
Get your ensuite bath done first.
Unpack The Family Room
I think one of the better packing tips for moving is having your family room set up quickly. As far as priories go, the first room of importance will be the family room or wherever you spend most of your time.
If this is where you will be watching television on your favorite big screen, getting this set up will be critical. The rest of the rooms can follow from here.
Don’t Forget The Garage & Deck
– The last area for unpacking should be the garage, deck, and basement. While all of the things you will put into place in these regions are important, they typically are not needed daily.
Once your home is unpacked, don’t forget what you should do after your move. For example, changing the locks on your new place.
You never know to who the prior owners gave the key. It is always better to be safe than sorry. There is a whole list of things you should be doing – see these excellent tips!
Video on How to Pack Your Home For a Move
Look at this helpful video which walks you through the entire process of packing your house for a move. It includes tips such as setting up a packing station, how to tape the boxes correctly, how to use packing paper, how to handle glassware, how to pack delicate items such as mirrors, and much more.
These are some excellent tips for unpacking and organizing from a move!
FAQs on Packing For Moving
1. How Long Before Moving Should I Start Packing?
Having a packing schedule for moving is essential.
Starting packing at least three to four weeks before your move is advisable. You do not want to wait until the last minute to start the most challenging part of your move.
2. How Long Will it Take to Pack a Three-Bedroom House?
The average time it takes to pack a three-bedroom home is 3 to 5 days. Remember, this is not just doing a couple of hours a day but a full-fledged commitment to organizing and packing your things. You can expect a 4-bedroom or large home to take at least another day longer.
3. Can I Keep My Clothes in Their Drawers?
Yes, that should not be a problem and will make your move easier. Instead of moving your clothes into boxes and unpacking them, they will already be where you want them.
4. Is it Worth Paying For Professional House Packers When Moving?
The answer is a personal choice. Some people forgo hiring a moving company because they prefer to save money. A DIY move will undoubtedly help to keep your expenses down. On the other hand, house packing is the hardest part of the move. It will depend on whether your budget allows for it.
Final Thoughts on Moving and Packing
Moving and packing are almost always the most dreaded aspects when buying or selling a house. Starting the process early and chipping away at it daily is essential.
When you don’t start the process early and wait until the last minute, unnecessary stress will be added to your life.
Hopefully, these packing tips for moving will be helpful.
Additional Helpful Packing and Moving Articles:
- How to change my address – when moving, one of your priorities should be doing a change of address with the post office. See some of the best tips for taking care of this moving task. Also, see who should be notified of your move as well.
- 33 brilliant moving tips – get more packing tips and other helpful general moving advice via Buzzfeed.
- Best tips for moving with pets – if you have pets and will be moving, you’ll want to look at this helpful resource, Maximum Real Estate Exposure provides, which is loaded with handy advice.
Use these additional resources to do both packing and unpacking from your move go smoothly. When you are well organized, the stress from moving can be reduced tremendously!
About the Author: Bill Gassett, a nationally recognized leader in his field, provided the above Real Estate information on packing tips for moving. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-625-0191. Bill has helped people move in and out of Metrowest towns for the last 37+ Years.
Are you thinking of selling your home? I am passionate about Real Estate and love sharing my marketing expertise!
I service Real Estate Sales in the following Metrowest MA towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Douglas, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Whitinsville, Worcester, Upton, and Uxbridge MA.
