Packing Tips & Advice for Moving

Whether you have moved once in your life, or once a year, it can be a headache when you’re underprepared! By planning your packing efficiently ahead of time, you can save yourself the worry, knowing that your move will be smooth, and secure by taking these tips into consideration. 

Why Does Efficient Packing Matter?

The Effect on the Cost of Relocation

Time and money are valuable, don’t waste it! When preparing for a move it’s important to remember that for every box you move out, there is a box to move in. Having your things packed as efficiently as possible won’t just save you time, but if you’re using a moving company or service, it can save you money as well.

Simplifying Your Move

Moving doesn’t need to be hard, with proper planning ahead of time you will be able to rest easy the night before your move. Imagine having everything packed, organized, and ready to send out the door with your movers from the moment you wake up, sounds like a dream!

Protecting Your Stuff

It’s important that you keep your belongings safe and in one piece! By using proper packing supplies and utilizing household items like towels and clothes to wrap or stuff between your fragile items, you can greatly lessen the chance of any damages.

Proper Supplies

Having a clear list of the supplies you need will make starting the packing process so much easier. Having to run to and from the store on your moving day will result in hassle and frustration! Establishing the right materials ahead of time, including varying box sizes and covers for furniture, to extra rolls of tape and markers for labeling - these preparations will play a huge role in making your move less daunting.

Preparation: The Key to a Smooth Move

Moving can often be stressful and time consuming, but you can save yourself in many ways by packing with clear intention, and direction. When a moving day comes, you want to be excited, not worried! Start by creating a checklist to guide you through the process.

Decluttering Before You Pack

Everyone could use a declutter once in a while, and doing so prior to packing up for a move is the perfect time to take a moment and think about what items truly bring value to your day-to-day life. Hosting a garage sale, or donating those unused items can help, quite literally, lighten the load of your moving day! 

Making a Moving Schedule

By having a schedule established, you can structure your moving checklist around important move-related deadlines. Things that don’t often get used can be packed up and set aside early on, while other everyday items like toothbrushes and phone chargers can be packed last. Doing this will let you pack with purpose, while also allowing you to manage and limit the chances of unforeseen events closer to your moving day.

Essential Packing Supplies You’ll Need

‍As mentioned previously, making an emergency trip to the store in the middle of a move adds stress on an already stressful day. Do yourself a favour and make sure you have all the supplies you need at the beginning of the packing process, including: 

  • Different sized boxes
  • Durable packing tape
  • Scissors, box-cutters, etc.
  • Bubble wrap and padding materials
  • Rubber bands, clothing bags
  • Markers and stickers for labeling 

Expert Packing Hacks to Save Time and Space

The Best Way to Label and Organize Boxes

It may seem tempting to quickly pack your belongings into boxes with no rhyme or reason in an effort to save time, but it will certainly create chaos when you arrive at your new home. By taking the time to clearly label your boxes with the room it’s destined for, a small description of its contents, or even something as simple as a colour coded sticker system, you will be thanking yourself when it’s time to start unpacking!

Using Suitcases and Drawers for Packing

Get creative and use things like suitcases to carry textbooks, shoes, and other various heavy items. You can also use any drawers from dressers, or nightstands you might have as a convenient way to pack away clothes and other smaller items that will fit.

Packing

Whenever you start packing a new box, be sure to have an idea of the items going inside so that you can start packing the heaviest items at the bottom, working your way up to the lightest items on the top. Doing this will not only protect those lighter items from being squished, but it will also make those boxes easier to carry!

Fill Up Space

Packing boxes can be a lot like playing Tetris, you want to avoid leaving open spaces and gaps! Having too much open space or gaps can cause items to shift around inside the boxes, and if unlucky lead to broken valuables. Try using things like towels, or clothing items to fill those gaps. 

How to Pack Odd-Shaped or Bulky Items

Any items that can’t fit in a box should be wrapped carefully with stretch or bubble wrap to keep them secure. Additionally, if you would like to keep those items as safe as possible, you can use extra blankets or towels for extra padding and protection.

Packing Mistakes to Avoid

Common Packing Errors

Under/Over packing boxes, mixing items from the kitchen with the bedroom in the same box, and not taking the time to label your boxes in any capacity, are three examples of easily avoidable moving mistakes that can create chaos on your moving day. 

How to Prevent Damage to Your Belongings

Padding, padding, and more padding! You will never regret being overly cautious when it comes to your valuable, or fragile items, but you will regret not taking the time to secure those same items in the event that something gets damaged or breaks.

The Cost of Last-Minute Packing

Last-minute packing can increase the chances of your things being forgotten, or damaged, and nobody wants to deal with that sort of stress while managing the rest of a big move!

Hiring a Moving Company

Vetting a Local Moving Service

When hiring a moving company, there are a few things you may want to consider doing before making your decision. Getting referrals through friends and family is a simple yet effective way to start looking into what company will be right for you. You can research the top moving companies in your area and check reviews, and ratings online.Check out this article to learn more on how to pick the right moving company. After you have found a few options, make sure your movers are licensed and insured, and ask about their professional accreditation to guarantee a crew that is qualified for the job!

Local Edmonton Moving Company

Booking Ahead of Time

Be sure to book your movers as far in advance as possible to avoid any last-minute scheduling hiccups! It's also important to give yourself enough time to have your things packed, organized, and ready to send out the door for your scheduled moving date. Having to rush can lead to unnecessary stress and worry.

Efficient Packing to Save Money

Utilizing the tips for proper packing practices in this article will lead to a smaller number of boxes used. This in turn, means less carrying to and from the moving truck and less trips to your new home. All of this results in less billed hours from your movers.

By following these tips when you start your packing journey, you can feel much more confident that when your moving day comes, you will be prepared and ready! Once all of your boxes are packed, a moving company can happily help transport your belongings to your new location with ease.

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