12 Steps to Pack a House For Moving
Easy to follow steps for packing a house for moving.
Spring is not just for flowers and cleaning. It’s also the beginning of moving season. There are many ways to pack up a house when moving, not all of them are efficient. Here are some general tips that can help make the process easier:
Start Packing Early
Don't wait until the last minute to start packing. The sooner you start, the less overwhelming the process will be. Before starting the packing process, make a plan. Start with a list of things you need to pack, materials you'll need, and a schedule to follow. Having a plan can help you stay organized and efficient. Begin at least 30 days in advance so you don’t have to cram everything into one weekend. Do something every single day.
Declutter
The less stuff you have, the less you'll have to pack. Take some time to go through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need or want. You can donate or sell these items, or simply throw them away. Moving is expensive. The less you move, the less you pay.
Create a Packing Plan
Make a list of everything you need to pack and decide what you want to take with you and what you want to get rid of. This will help you stay organized and avoid packing unnecessary items. Make sure you have a specific order to follow. I suggest you tackle the most difficult rooms/areas first while you have the most energy.
Gather All the Necessary Supplies
You'll need boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers to label your boxes. It's a good idea to get a variety of box sizes to make it easier to pack your belongings. Stock up on packing supplies. A common mistake is to underestimate the quantity of supplies that you’ll need. Be sure to buy more and return what you do not use. This will save multiple trips to the store and make packing less stressful.
Pack One Room at a Time
This will help you stay organized and avoid getting overwhelmed. Start with the rooms that you use the least and work your way up to the rooms that you use the most. Start packing one room at a time. This will help you stay organized and make it easier to unpack when you arrive at your new home. It also gives you a psychological boost when you complete an entire room.
Label Your Boxes
Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. This will make it easier to unpack and find things in your new home. Be as specific as possible. For example, kitchen pantry, cutlery drawer, Susan’s dresses, kid’s sporting equipment, etc.
Pack Heavy Items First
Pack heavier items first, such as books, appliances, and furniture. This will make it easier to move the boxes around and ensure that your fragile items are not crushed. We all are stronger when we start than when we finish. Apply your energy when it’s highest to the things that require it most.
Use Wardrobe Boxes
Wardrobe boxes are perfect for packing clothes on hangers. You can simply transfer the clothes from your closet to the box and then transfer them back to your new closet once you arrive. Make sure you do some pruning of your clothes before you pack them. Wardrobe boxes can be heavy. If moving yourself, pack them on the lower level to make transport much easier.
Pack Fragile Items Carefully
Use extra padding and cushioning for fragile items like dishes, glasses, and electronics. Wrap each item individually in heavy paper and use packing peanuts or bubble wrap to prevent them from shifting during transit. Make sure to label them FRAGILE on the box so movers will take special care.
Keep Important Documents Separate
Keep important documents like passports, insurance policies, wills, and birth certificates separate from the rest of your belongings. You may want to keep them with you during the move. Also, take photos of the front and back of every document and store them in a cloud storage service like iCloud, Google, etc., then delete them from your phone. This way you’ll have a copy just in case and you won’t be vulnerable if your phone is stolen.
Take Photos
Take photos of how every electronic device is set up. Make sure you have a picture of the connections for the cords and wires before packing them. This will make it easier to set them up in your new home. The same is true for anything that you must reassemble. Take photos while you disassemble to make it easier to put things together.
Pack a "Survival Kit"
Set aside a box or bag with all the essentials you'll need for the first few days in your new home, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, and any medications you take regularly. You might want to take your wireless device(s) so you can find them quickly if needed. Many service providers make it difficult to speak with a person so online access is imperative.
Overall, the key to packing a house when moving is to stay organized and take your time. It’s a stressful time and a stressful process. Play some music and do whatever you can to make the process more enjoyable. Also, be sure to take frequent breaks to save your mind and your body from too much wear.
