Moving Tips

Whether you’re relocating because you need a bigger house or because of a new job, it’s time to start packing for your household move. 

When you look around your home, you see valuables you don’t want to lose and heavy furniture that’s awkward to move. You don’t know where to start.

Moving is overwhelming, but we have some tips and tricks to use for moving your valuables safely and securely. We know the best methods of packing for your move, so when the time comes, so will you.

How to Start Packing to Move: Take Fewer Items

When it’s time to move, it’s like time speeds up. People who are rushed to move can be overwhelmed by the number of items to pack and make mistakes that could lead to damaged items or personal injury.

There are probably old papers, knickknacks, and furniture that you don’t need anymore.

If you have a garage or closets filled with items you no longer need or use, consider reducing your load. Go from room to room and separate items into piles such as discard, sell, donate, and keep. Hold a garage sale, place items for sale online, or donate them to places like the local Goodwill or Salvation Army.

This helps declutter your house before packing and makes it more manageable. 

Pack Boxes So They’re Easy to Lift

It is essential to pack the appropriately sized items into an appropriate sized box. When packing more substantial items such as books, put them into smaller boxes and try lifting it yourself before taping it up. Always lift from the legs to avoid back strain.

Too many bulky items in a large box could also end up breaking the box and damaging the items inside.

Also, try to keep the weight evenly distributed in the box. If one side of the box is heavier than the other, it may be difficult to lift and carry.

Careful Packing Fragile Items

When you have a large mirror or pictures, use masking tape and create a large X on the glass to help prevent breaking. Don’t worry about putting too much plastic wrap, bubble wrap, and tape on fragile items. The more securely wrapped, the better.

Packing the items themselves is only one part of keeping them safe. Keep those items from rubbing together and causing damage by placing packing paper, blankets, or other soft material between the fragile items. Once packed, fill any space with more packing paper or packing peanuts, so there is as little movement as possible while moving.

All it takes is a little space to cause damage to your items.

Be Careful When Moving

It’s also essential to use the right tools when moving, such as dollies and lifting belts. These can help keep your items safe and keep you from getting injured. The goal is to keep you and your things safe during the move.

If you want to know more about moving techniques or are interested in hiring a moving company, then please explore our site.

Every year, one out of every six Americans makes a household move. In our lifetime, we might end up packing and unpacking for a move more than 11 times.

Moving isn’t exactly fun. Gathering up all your belongings, placing them into boxes, relocating them across town (or across the country), and then unpacking everything again is a real chore.

Great news — our guide will help you relocate faster and more efficiently. Check out these five tips for moving so that you can focus on getting cozy in your new place sooner!

1. Start with a Plan

Even last-minute packing can benefit from a plan. Here are the first things to think about:

·        Create a budget

·        Gather your packing supplies together — boxes, tape, markers, etc.

·        Assign rooms to friends and family who are helping you pack

Don’t go into it blindly. Start with a plan and make it easier on yourself.

2. Purge Your Belongings

Before you begin packing, evaluate what you have.

Packing up for a move is a great time to eliminate items you no longer use or want. Be ruthless when evaluating your belongings. Don’t take stuff with you that you won’t use in the future.

Schedule a charity like the Salvation Army or Goodwill to come by and pick up donation items.

3. Pack Things Simply

Some things in your home can be packed and moved without too much hassle. With hanging clothes, for example, slip a heavy-duty garbage bag up and over your hanging clothes and tie a knot near the hanger. This way, you can bag them all and transport them together without additional boxing.

Clothing in dressers can be transported right in the dresser drawer. If the dresser is sturdy and filled with clothing only, wrap it in padded blankets and secure them with tape so that the drawers do not open. Be careful to never put tape directly on furniture.

4. Prep Work is Key

There are a few things you can do to make your move easier for yourself. A little bit of prep work goes a long way towards making the moving process a smooth one.

Don’t wait until moving day to start packing. Pack as early as possible, and make sure you have completed the task before your movers arrive.

Pack an essentials box. Put in things like soap, towels, and other toiletries. This “first-night” kit will help you start settling in without completely unpacking.

Also, pack a suitcase for yourself. You don’t want to have to dig through your stuff those first few days.

5. Get in the Flow

You made your plan, stick to it, and don’t overthink your packing strategy.

Label each box on every side.  Include a description of the box contents plus the name of the room the box is supposed to go to in the new house.

Essential Tips on Moving Out

Moving isn’t always fun, but sooner or later, you’re going to do it. These crucial tips on moving out will help get you through a rough time.

Make moving even easier on yourself. Hire professional movers to help you transition to your new place without the hassle.

Reach out to us today, and we’ll make moving day stress-free!

Signing the paperwork and getting the keys is only the first step of homeownership. When you’re transitioning from renter to homeowner, there a few steps you can take to ensure you get off to a good start in your new home.

We’ve put together a list of three things to know about homeownership before moving into the first house you’ve ever owned.

We hope it helps as you move your belongings in and begin making your new house feel like a home.

1. Get to Know Your Security System

Before you move in, make sure your home is safe.

Change every lock—you never know where the previous owner hid spare keys. Once you’ve changed the locks, consider installing a permanent lockbox outside your home where you can store an extra key. Don’t forget locks on sheds and gates.

If your home has a garage door opener, reset your key codes.

Check any motion lights and security lighting on your property and replace burned-out bulbs. Check and replace the batteries for your home security system. 

2. Be Prepared for Emergencies

Before you sleep or cook in your home for the first time, make sure you have fire extinguishers. Place one in the kitchen and one on each level of your home.

Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Your home inspector likely checked them as part of your pre-closing inspection, but do your own check as well. Remove the covers from smoke detectors, dust inside and outside the units, and replace the batteries.

When you first move into a new house, you likely won’t have your address memorized. Print it on a Post-It note or a small magnetized whiteboard. That way, you’ll have it handy if you need to call 911.

Tip: Even hardwired smoke detectors need new batteries.

3. Hire Help When Moving into Your First House

If you’re like most first-time homeowners, you might think you don’t have much to move. Besides, your friends don’t mind taking a day and helping lug your belongings up and down a few stairs.

There’s a vast difference between asking friends and hiring professional movers.

When you hire a moving company, the team is there for you from start-to-finish. Friends are helpful, but often they can’t commit the time it takes to get everything moved. Movers help you plan then get everything moved efficiently. 

Tip: Help your movers by clearly labeling your boxes and creating a map of your home so the movers know precisely where to place them upon arrival.

Ready to Move?

We’ve shared three of our favorite things homeowners should know when they buy their first home. Over the years, you’ll discover many more things about owning a home.

If you need help moving into your first house, we’re here for you. Contact us today for a free quote.