The First Few Things to Pack Up When Moving
Congratulations, you’re moving! Now where to start? No matter how long before your moving date, packing up the items you use the least is best. However, do not leave the packing until the last minute either. Plan early, decide what packing supplies you’ll need. How many boxes, tape, cushioning materials, like bubble wrap and paper, scissors, and markers you will need. A box calculator helps make it easier to get an idea of what and how much you will need. Next, come up with a packing schedule or plan an hour or two each day prior to your move to pack. This will ensure you have a relatively stress-free move.
One of the first things to think about when you begin to plan is: what to pack first. Make note of the items you want to move and those you don’t. This is a great time to declutter. It’s amazing how much stuff we accumulate over time that we don’t need. Throw away these items, donate it, sell it online, or hold a garage sale. Make room in a section of your home or garage and put these items there to keep out of the way. It’s easy to do this once you start going from room to room.
Let the Packing Begin
Items Already in Storage
Typically, your storage room, closet or your attic is a great place to start. Many of these items are probably in a box or container already. Take them all out, take a quick look to see if there’s something you want to keep or get rid of and then fit as much as you can safely and securely into your moving boxes, tape up, write a generic description of the contents and what room it’s going to at your new home. This will help save time with the movers.
Stack these boxes in a room that’s easily accessed by the movers, so you don’t forget them.
Your Garage/Shed
Depending on the time of year, most of these items can be packed up. Obviously if it is summer, you don’t want to pack up your gardening tools quite yet. Go through cans of old paint, oil, or pesticides you do not want to move and take them to your eco-station. Remember there are some items that your movers cannot move. Check out our non-allowables list for some of the hazardous or delicate items you want to take care of prior to your move.
Out of Season items
Just like any of your items that are in storage or already packed away, out of season clothing, footwear, or sporting items can be packed away next. More than likely they won’t be needed any time soon.
Rarely Used Items
Many homes contain items that are not used all the time. This could be anything from your precious china, small kitchen appliances, Knick knacks, games, books, and photo albums. One thing to remember, and your movers will appreciate this, is to put heavy items in smaller boxes, lighter items in larger boxes. If the boxes are to heavy to lift, it’s probably too heavy for your movers. Mark the boxes containing your fragile items as such so they are handled with care. Use extra cushioning material. A great idea is to use some of your towels and bedding as cushioning as it saves the need for one or two more boxes.
If you have children, this is a great opportunity to let them help with the decluttering by cleaning out the items they don’t want or have outgrown. Plus, it’s one less thing you need to do.
Deciding what to pack first when moving can seem intimidating, but with a good plan, and starting early, you’ll find that it’s not too difficult once you know where to begin. Alternatively, if you need a little help you can always hire a packing service. Burly Boyz Moving & Storage has full and partial packing services available and packing supplies. Contact the Boyz.