Who doesn’t want to pack and move fast? Whether you’re dealing with last-minute moving or looking for the most practical way to pack toys for relocation, these tips for moving will speed up and facilitate the whole process and provide you with peace of mind.
If you’re looking for a completely stress-free cross country moving, be sure you won’t find it. The idea of starting from scratch might give you butterflies, but only at the beginning of the whole action. After you realize how much work awaits you and how many days you need to spend decluttering and storing, your enthusiasm will most likely fade.
Still, not everything is as gloomy it seems. With the right attitude and expectations, you can overcome moving stress and challenging situations by adjusting to them. Here is how to organize your move without tension:
Start all your preparations as soon as possible. With enough time at your disposal, decluttering and packing will go smoothly, and you will avoid anxiety and panic.
Since packing is one of the most tiresome tasks of long-distance moving, you need to know not only how to pack properly, but also how to choose the right supplies. Having to put your entire household into boxes and containers might cause anxiety or even panic. However, remember our words of advice about the advantages of good organization skills – the more organized you are, the more energy and time you’ll save. So, how and where to start? Some of the best moving tips and tricks are:
If you want to avoid pressure and chaos, your preparations should start at least six to eight weeks before your relocation date. Simply put, the earlier you begin the process, the easier it will be when your move day arrives. This way, you’ll prevent one of the most widespread relocation traps called the most commonly forgotten things to pack.
Relocation is not something you can do overnight. This process requires time, energy, and patience. So, stepping into it without a plan and not knowing what things you should do before moving will just make you more nervous and confused. Let’s start with the things you need to bring and those you can leave behind you.
You probably have in your home unused and unnecessary items you should eliminate. We all have. And there’s no better opportunity to declutter your kitchen, closet, attic, or garage than now. The more things you get rid of, the fewer belongings you’ll have to pack up and pay for their transportation.
If you’re wondering what to do with all this stuff, don’t worry. There are plenty of possibilities – from organizing a garage sale to donating clothes for the homeless. It’s up to you to be creative and find a way that suits you the most.
Don’t start putting things into boxes if you haven’t visually organized your move. That means you should create a moving to-do list with a timeline. This will provide you with a good idea of your priorities and how much time you have left to finish them all. If you include the relocation budget, too, you’ll get a rounded picture of your must-do steps.
When hiring professional long-distance movers, ask yourself How to choose a moving company? It should be reliable, professional, and efficient. Do the research and ask for several quotes. Choose the one with excellent testimonials and the most reasonable prices. Still, there are several factors cross-country movers should fulfill before you hire them:
You don’t need to buy brand new supplies to protect your things properly. Free cartons from chain stores and liquor shops will be just fine. Avoid huge boxes and choose smaller and medium-sized ones. They are perfect for storing items since they won’t allow you to overpack. A box with too many things in it is more likely to break.
Your excellent organizing skills will make sense only if you look a little further. Whether you’re moving from an apartment to a house or vice versa, some essentials should be done in your future place before the move:
Make a copy of each important document – anything can happen during transport. And why risk damaging or losing important paperwork in transit? To avoid headaches, store all copies in a briefcase or separate package in case of an emergency.
It’s needless to highlight the importance of well-chosen supplies when it comes to wrapping and storing your valuables. Without proper moving labels or quality bubble wrap, packing glasses for relocation or preparing electronics for a move won’t be doable. If you want to find out what types of packing materials you should choose, we’ve compiled some handy packing and moving tips.
Pick one big plastic box to place all important things and keep them handy. These include paper towels, eating utensils, snacks, toilet paper, power strips, phone chargers, tools, etc. The transparent structure of the bin allows you to see the content, and it is easily noticeable among other packages.
If you imagine that your dresser drawers are like their own containers, this will make your life easier. Unpacking them and refolding their contents is just not necessary. The same goes for your clothes on the hanger. Hang several pieces of clothing together and use large trash bags to enwrap them.
Bubble wrap is pricey, so why not take advantage of materials that every household has. For example, glasses or perfume bottles can be wrapped in socks, while linens and towels are excellent cushioning for lamps and vases. With dishtowels, you can fold kitchenware and knives and secure them with a rubber band or tape.
If you don’t have enough boxes and containers, you can always replace them with suitcases. They are excellent for heavy things, such as books or dishes, and are easier to move due to their wheels.
Sometimes, using different colored stickers for boxes and rooms in your new apartment might save you more time than hunting for markers whenever you tape a box. Also, consider photographing the content of containers after they are packed. A quick look can help you get a general idea of what you’ve packed in each one.
Dealing with wires in your new place in order to connect your TV or computer can be frustrating. While all devices are still plugged in, take photos of their cables to remember how to set them when the moment comes.
Have you ever wondered how to use plastic wrap? This fantastic material can facilitate and speed up the process. For example, you can bandage your utensils cutlery together with their organizer, and stop worrying about where to place forks or knives.
Your paintings or sculptures require different methods and materials. There are special mirror boxes for framed items that will protect them from impact during transportation. Sculptures are quite demanding for handling, too, due to their odd shape. Because these items are fragile and prone to breakage, the right choice might be letting cross country movers store them or give you special crating.
The big day has come! Are you nervous, or maybe tired? That’s normal after so much effort and backbreaking work. Pat yourself on the back; you deserve it. But, it’s over yet – the final part of the relocation is waiting. If you’ve done everything right before, we do not doubt that this will go smoothly too. Let’s find out what else you need to pay attention to on the relocation day.
Why is this important? Because last-minute tasks can ruin and slow down yours and the movers’ entire day. So, try to be completely packed before they arrive, or when the moment comes to pick up the rental truck for moving.
The more people are willing to help, the faster the whole process will be completed. Everything is easier in good company, and you won’t even notice when all the containers become full.
If you’re moving with a newborn or preschoolers, they are definitely too young to contribute to the process. The best option is to arrange with a family member to take care of them until you finish all the necessary things. The same goes for pets. This way, you’ll feel more relaxed, and they will be away from the whole mess.
Keep in mind that, during a long-distance move, you’ll definitely get hungry. Remember to buy some healthy snacks before the last box is packed into the truck. You’ll thank yourself once you get peckish on the road. In all that hurry and fuss, moving-day bites are things people forget when moving.
If you’re worried about personal items like documents or jewelry, storing them with other belongings or placing them in some of the boxes can be too risky. So, put your valuables in a small bag and bring it with you during the trip.
When leaving out your current place, you should think about how to get your deposit back. These handy tips will help you do that:
Moving across the country is a demanding process since it requires your time and energy in full. From creating a moving across country checklist to choosing the right cross country moving company and negotiating with them about moving services, getting them to do the packing, booking auto transport, or storage services, you name it. It is a tiresome and overwhelming activity and can last for a month or even two. If you’re wondering How do I pack to move effectively?, with the best tips for moving, including the right organization and procrastination-free situations, you can successfully deal with almost every assignment. So, stay focused, go step-by-step, and fulfill all your tasks before the deadline.