Wandsworth Removals Service

Packing Approaches from the Experts - Essential Packing Tips For Moving The Big Move

In many cases those who are moving are so pleased to finally arrive within their new home that they don't even mind that the dinner plates are chipped, there's a scratch on the coffee table or their favorite lampshade is bruised and battered. But there's no reason your household goods should become casualties of the move. With a little care and planning, and these moving packing tips, you and your stuff will both arrive in mint condition.

When for your move, slightly common sense goes a long way. Bring to mind a stack of dishes in a box on the bed of a bouncing truck. No matter how well the sides are padded, a firm up-and-down jolt could crack the entire stack. However, dishes packed on edge and surrounded by bubble wrap have a better possibility of surviving the trip unharmed.

It pays to purchase the right packing materials in the long run. Sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts are sold at moving companies and truck-rental firms. Supplement with copious amounts of crumpled paper, blankets and pillows; even clothing can function as buffer between breakable objects. Then, pack using a plan.

Packing Tips

Pack one room at a time, labeling each box with description of its contents and its destination (e.g., kitchen, bathroom). Be as specific as you can; it will make unpacking that much easier.

Keep the weight of your boxes reasonable. If possible, put heavy items in small boxes to make them easier to carry.

Don't apply tape straight to polished or painted wood finishes. Removing the tape could ruin the surface.

Double-box fragile items and add plenty of cushioning.

Pack essentials seperately

When everything is packed and ready to load, make sure that the items you need least are loaded first. Again, wise practice is vital when loading moving van. Place the box containing your very best china on top of the box of encyclopedias and not the other way around.

Prepare for the first night in your new home by packing essential items in a separate bag and carrying it along. You may wish to prepare an easy meal which you could heat and serve on your first night.

Every person from the household: a new experience of clothes, a towel, prescriptions, a toothbrush, and also other personal items.

For everyone: plastic utensils, paper plates, sponges, plastic cups, mouthwash, toiletries, trash bags, a flashlight, medical kit including pain relievers, pencil and paper, snacks, beverages, and re-closable plastic bags.

Small tool kit for re-assembling items that couldn't be moved whole.

Packing for moving with good technique and also the right materials can mean a simpler move and fewer chipped dishes.

25 Best Moving Tips

Moving can be one of life's most stressful events. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way. After researching dozens of books, articles and websites, I've put together the top 25 moving tips I could find anywhere. They're organized by category to make them easier to follow:

Getting Organized

1. Start early- Almost everyone has more stuff than they think they do, and almost no one leaves enough time to pack it.

2. Track your progress- Use a calendar to map out the major tasks you need to accomplish. At least once per week, track where you are against the dates on the calendar. Revise your plan if you're falling behind.

Finding Great Movers

3. Only hire the best- If you choose to hire professional movers, do your research and hire good ones. Poor quality movers really can be worse than none at all. Get referrals from local real estate agents and friends who have moved recently.

4. Research- Investigate your potential movers through the U.S. Department of Transportation, MovingScam-dot-com and the Better Business Bureau.

5. Estimates- Ask for written "Binding Not-To-Exceed" estimates, based on an in-home evaluation of your goods to be moved. This offers you the most accurate estimates with the most protection of your money.

General Packing

6. Pack a suitcase- For each member of the family moving, pack a suitcase as if you're all going on a 3-day vacation, including changes of clothes, medications, eyeglasses, toiletries, etc. Keep the suitcases separated from all the other items to be moved, such as in your car, at your new workplace, etc. so you'll have everything you need for the first few days without searching through boxes.

7. Create "Open Me First" boxes- Pick one or two boxes per room as "Open Me First" boxes. Put in them the things you'll need first at your new location. Then mark the sides of the boxes so you'll know which ones are which.

8. One at a time- Wherever possible, work on packing just one room at a time (instead of several all at once) to keep things focused and organized.

9. Less is more- Use packing as a way to clean out belongings for donations, a yard sale, and/or the recycling center. Aim to eliminate 1/3 of your belongings. You'll save time and expense.

10. Tracking small parts- When taking apart items to be moved, such as tables, securely tape screws and other small parts securely to the underside of the item. You'll always know where to look and save time putting things back together.

11. Save space- Use towels, pillows and t-shirts you're packing as extra padding around fragile items. It will save room in your boxes.

12. Criss-cross tape- Tape boxes along the seams where the flaps meet together. Then tape perpendicularly at the center of the first tape, forming a cross.

13. Stacking- Stack boxes with the heaviest on the bottom, lightest on top to prevent crushing.

14. The 30-pound rule- Keep each box below 50 pounds absolute maximum and below 30 pounds wherever possible. Heavier boxes lead to injuries, are much more likely to burst their tape or seams and tend to get dropped. Keep a bathroom scale in the room you're packing so you can keep the boxes below the weight limits.

Box Inventory and Labels

15. "Fat" is in- Use the thickest, darkest marker you can find for labeling boxes. Pencils, pens, tin or light markers are almost impossible to see even just a few feet away.

16. Two sides- Label each box on the two broadest sides, opposite one another. That way if a box gets turned, you can still identify its contents.

17. Abbreviate room names- Start box labels with the abbreviated name of the room followed by a box number, such as "BTH2-6" for "second bathroom, 6th box." You can then track each box to make sure everything arrived safely.

18. Identify contents- Identify the major contents and where they came from, such as "Medicine Cabinet" or "Linen Closet- Towels and Wash Cloths."


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