Plan ahead. Gather up plenty of sturdy, corrugated cartons, packing paper, bubble wrap, sealing tape and marker pens, along with any furniture covers.
Boxes that are tightly sealed with packing tape will prevent dust from entering.
Wrap furniture legs with protective bubble wrap, furniture covers or pads to prevent scratching. Leave slipcovers on upholstered chairs and cover them with plastic chair covers. Tape or tie bed rails together. Mark the pieces for easier assembly later. Place covers or plastic bags on mattresses to keep them clean during storage.
Label boxes on all sides for easy identification. Keep a list (as well as pictures and descriptions) at your home or office for reference. Mark clearly all boxes containing fragile items. Make sure fragile boxes are placed on top of heavier, less delicate boxes.
Use valuable space inside dresser drawers and larger appliances, such as stoves and refrigerators, to store small items such as towels, linens and small, fragile items. Secure items in drawer by filling empty spaces with towels or packing paper.
Pack as much as you can in the same size boxes. Fill boxes tightly, but take care to neither over pack nor under pack. (Bulging cartons tip when stacked, while half full boxes tend to collapse). Use wadded up newsprint, bubble wrap, rags, towels, or blankets to fill in empty spaces. For maximum protection seal cartons with tape.
Pack heavy items such as books and tools in small boxes. For easier handling limit the weight of all cartons, regardless of size, to 30lbs. or less.
Clean and dry appliances before storing. Secure all movable parts with paper, or wedge and wrap a paper pad around each item for protection.
During transport tape all doors shut, but remember to wedge them open for storage.
Pack books flat to protect their spines. Line cartons with plastic and fill empty spaces with packing paper.
Use lots of paper to pack dishes and glassware. Place a layer of packing paper inside the bottom and top of cartons. Wrap each dish and glass separately and cushion them with crumpled paper. Plates are best stacked on edge.
Hang clothes and draperies in wardrobe boxes.
Pack lamps and lamp shades in individual boxes. Use plenty of clean paper or clothing for padding.
Pad mirrors and paintings with paper. Place them in special mirror packs or large boxes; mark boxes.
Pack the least-used items first.
Organize boxes by room and label everything.
Break furniture down as much as possible.
Pack boxes with little to no space to prevent shifting.
Pack electronics in specially designed boxes.
Invest in couch and mattress covers.
Carefully pack and fill hollow glass items with foam or paper.
Pack cleaning supplies and other liquids in sealed plastic bags.
Keep valuables such as paper records, financial documents and jewelry with you.
Load the truck with the heaviest items first.
Pack an overnight box for your new place that includes toiletries, linens, prescriptions, etc.
Storage Tips
Store items you'll need most often at the front of the unit.
When you pack your storage unit, create a center aisle for access to all items.
Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors, but use pallets or skids to allow air flow around and under items.
If you're storing tables and other furniture, remove legs and store tabletops and sofas on end, to save space.
Old photographs tend to curl over time. To keep them flat, place them between two pieces of cardboard and tape them together.
Drain gasoline and oil from lawn mowers and other items with small engines.
Common sense and state law determines what may be stored. You alone control access to your storage space therefore never store firearms, illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia, live animals, perishables, liquids, explosives, flammable liquids and fuels, toxic materials, or other items that need a controlled environment.
Use trash cans to store shovels, hoes and rakes.
Mattresses should be covered and stored flat on level surfaces.
Use protective covers and treat wood surfaces before storing.
When storing metal items, to retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.
Pack blankets, draperies, and dress clothes on the hanger in a wardrobe box.
Always use high quality locks on your unit.
Always use climate control for humidity sensitive items.
Whenever possible, place dressers and tables top-to-top to save space.
Moving Tips
Things to do two months before:
Start by renting your storage unit, and going through all of the items in your house. You’ll want to figure out ahead of time what is staying, going and what can easily spend time in your storage unit without being missed.
Save all of your receipts for tax purposes.
Go online and start looking up pharmacies, banks, grocery and convenience stores near your new house.
Do the same with moving companies, and start getting quotes.
Make a list of your most expensive items, and call your homeowner’s insurance company to have these items covered during the transition. You can also tell them your new address, and set a date for the policy change.
Make a list of all the places you need to provide an updated address to.
If you’re leaving any of these institutions, get a copy of your records. Health and bank accounts are particularly important. While you’re calling them, set up any last-minute appointments. You’ll probably be out of a doctor or dentist if you’re heading to a completely new area.
Set up all your travel plans: who is taking what cars, planes, trains or cabs.
Things to do one month before:
If you’re adding new carpet or painting the house, set up these appointments now.
While you’re making calls, dial the utilities, and set the date of transfer.
Start packing.
If you’re moving nearby, try to figure out where everything will go. It will aid anyone helping you move, or the hired moving company.
If you’re moving to a new area, determine what you need to do about your car title and license plate.
No matter where you’re moving, you will need to update your driver’s license.
Things to do two weeks before:
Start cleaning any near-empty rooms. Scrub appliances, baseboards, walls, ceilings and any wall treatments you will be leaving behind.
Continue packing all the way down to the absolute essentials.
Start putting together your overnight box with essentials.
Start backing up computers, and prepare them for the move.
If you’re using a moving company, call to confirm your moving date and time. Get them printed directions and your cell number.
Things to do one week before:
You should know if the closing is going ahead as scheduled, and start getting keys, garage door openers and alarm codes prepared.
Do your final walk-through at the new place about 3 days prior to closing.
Finish packing, but leave a couple of sets of clothes out in paper bags just in case there’s an emergency and the moving trucks don’t show.
It’s time to get your appliances ready, so remove flammable materials like propane tanks and wipe everything down.
Don’t forget to grab some cash if you need to tip the movers. It’s about $20 a person.
Clean out the fridge the day before your move begins.
Pre-make signs on pieces of paper that label each door in the house. When you get to the new house, hang up the signs on the appropriate doors.
Things to do on moving day:
Pack it all up, and when it looks like everything is out, give the house a final check.
Head to the new place, and immediately set up the toiletries, trash bags and linens.
Give the place a thorough walk-through, and hang up all your room signs.
Check fire detectors to ensure they’re still functioning.
Consider laying down plastic to protect the flooring. When everyone arrives, give them a brief tour of the house to get acclimated.
As soon as the movers are done, if they haven’t already done so, set up the beds.
