Now that the ordeal of finding a new place is over, there is one more issue to take care of. That is, packing up.
The entire idea of cleaning and moving all your belongings seems to be exhausting. But before stress takes over and you start piling things hastily, take a moment to think.
There are so many ways you can adopt to make this task simple, efficient, and less tedious. For starters, start planning at prior. Professional Organizer Abbey Claire Keusch says that the most common problem he encounters with his clients is that they leave packing to the last minute. Then, they toss things in a box without any organizational strategy. As a result, they end up with ruined goods and a crumbling stack of valuable stuff.
Things like art, mirrors, computers, dishes, flat TV-screen, chandeliers, and lamps cannot fit in a random box. Mistakes like these can put your time, money, and nerves at stake. You need to take steps to protect your special items.
So if you are about to embark on this journey, here are some tips to help you keep your goods safe during the move:
Find the Right Materials
Packing in the wrong material can bring in serious trouble, even when you have it all sorted from before. That is why make sure that you have all the supplies readily available. And when you are purchasing the packing materials, try to keep it simple as well as within your budget.
Stick with boxes of three different sizes instead of going for old fruit cartons and liquor boxes. All the boxes should be clean, strong, and in good overall condition.
Bubble wraps are other packing essentials that slips the mind of most people. You can use it to cover the fragile items in the box to ensure they do not crack during the move.
Also, arrange for a packing paper to wrap the dishes. You will have to cover all items of your delicate china individually, stack them vertically, and pad them from top and bottom.
In case you are carrying perishable goods, it is not possible to put them along with other items. You have to make sure that food does not ruin during the move. There are climate-controlled storage units that will help you out for such items.
Don’t Overpack
When you stuff a box too much, there is always the danger that it will tear apart during the shift. It can also cause injury to the movers who attempt to lift it. Remember that all of the boxes have a certain capacity. Exceeding their limit will damage the goods present inside.
The general rule is you should not pack more than 50 pounds in one small box, 65 pounds in the medium-sized box, and 70 pounds in the large box. As for the extra items, consuming ample space, you should use boxes of an extra-large size.
Keep Valuables with You
From your mobile phones to jewelry and keys, there are hundreds of essential items you cannot afford to lose. But it is also true most people tend to lose their precious stuff when they are shifting homes. To make sure you don’t fall in that place, take safety measures in advance.
Pack them all in a backpack you are going to carry at all times. You can also use a portable safe or locked container that operates with a key. This is the crucial rule that applies to domestic as well as the commercial move.
Make a Packing Inventory
While you pack, assign a number to every box and label it. Record all items of the box and its corresponding number. Tick off all the numbers when the movers unload all items. If it is possible, take detailed photographs of all items in the box so you will have the proof of ownership. You might need these photos for insurance.
You can use a simple spreadsheet or mobile apps like Sortly to keep track of everything. Many apps will help you to fulfill this purpose. They have inbuilt features to attach photos, allot serial numbers, and put labels.
Follow a Lifting Protocol
As soon as the packing is over, you have to pay attention to how you are going to lift and carry the boxes. If you have never done it before, the wise move is to call up professional moving assistance. They will guide you all about how to pack and carry your baggage.
Dan Hildebrand, Owner of Lift NYC Movers, advises, giving your movers a detailed inventory of the items that need special care. This will enable them to fix their space in the moving truck. And the company will try to craft the moving schedules in such a way that you can get enough time to pack and transport.
There are a few critical measures to take during the process. For instance, the heaviest boxes should go at the bottom of the truck, and the lighter ones should be on the top.
Doing the vice-versa will smash your belongings. Also, you have to formulate the plan of what items of furniture will go first and which ones will go on the last commute.
Final Word
Moving can be a hassle for most people. There are so many things that could go wrong, surely, you don’t want to deal with it. But that’s not how it works. You have to do what you have to do.
You should buck up and devise a game plan. Forecast the problems that you are going to face and how you will tackle them. Try to come up with a strategy to keep your goods safe and make the entire operation feel like a breeze.
We hope our guide was helpful for you. If you have any other points to add, feel free to let us know!
