Packing tips
Packing for yourself can be a great way to economize your move.
- Do not over-pack moving boxes — the heavier the item, the smaller the moving box.
- Start packing the items you don’t need as soon as you know you’re moving.
- Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same moving boxes.
- Put detailed labels on tops and sides of all moving boxes.
- Don’t interlock moving box tops. They must always be sealed with packing tape.
- Pack a moving box of things that you will need immediately at your new home and make sure it is loaded last on the truck or transport it in your vehicle so that the contents will be immediately available at your new home.
- To minimize the chance of breakage, pack and unpack over a padded surface so that if you do drop an item, it will land on a cushioned surface.
- Lampshades and fine china should not be packed in newspaper because the ink can permanently stain these items. Instead, use packing paper.
Moving Tips
The following is a partial list of moving tips, based on some of the most important things to consider.
- Stock up on packing supplies. Moving boxes, bubble wrap, newspapers, packing foam, packing tape, plastic totes – anything and everything you can gather (ahead of time) will help when it’s time to begin packing.
- Start the packing process early. The earlier you begin packing, the more organized and stress-free you’ll be.
- Mark all moving containers with the contents and location in your new home. You can lose a lot of time (you and/or your movers) digging into boxes to figure out what they contain, and where they go in your new home.
- De-clutter and purge unwanted items. The more items you can donate, give away or sell, the lighter your load will be – saving you packing time, loading time and ultimately – money.
- Make a list of all utilities you’ll need to contact to set up end-of-service dates and final bill details; likewise with start-of-service dates at your new home. Check off each utility as you make arrangements.
- Make a similar list for all other bills, like mortgages, auto loans/leases, credit card and cell phone accounts.
- Try to move during the week, when more services like banks, government offices, utilities, mechanics and tow-services are open, in the event you run into any problems and need assistance.
- If you have pets, make plans well ahead of time as to where to keep them during the move – and how you’ll transport them to your new home.
- If you’re having Move It With M & S do the packing and moving, make sure to separate valuable and/or irreplaceable items like important paperwork/documents, jewelry, family heirlooms, keepsakes, photos or any other items you’d feel more comfortable moving yourself.
- Don’t forget to file your change of address with the Post Office.
- Plan ahead regarding prescription medications – make sure you’ll have enough with you during your move, and transfer prescriptions to your new pharmacy in advance of your move. It is best to carry your prescriptions with you during the move in case of delays.
Move It With M & S Moving Checklist
4 Weeks Before Moving Day
- Go through every room of your house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Think about whether any items will require special packing or extra insurance coverage.
- Use a binder to keep track of everything—all estimates, receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving.
- Order boxes and other moving supplies such as tape, bubble wrap, and permanent markers. Don’t forget to order specialty containers, such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes.
- Start using up things that you don’t want to move, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.
- Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.
- Donate unwanted clothing or household goods to charitable organizations. Obtain receipts showing the items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions.
2 Weeks Before Moving Day
- Start packing the things that you use most infrequently, such as the waffle iron and croquet set.
- Clearly label and number each box with its contents and the room it’s destined for. This will help you to keep an inventory of your belongings. Pack and label “essentials” boxes of items you’ll need right away.
- Add items such as jewelry and important files to a safe box that you’ll personally transport to your new home.
- Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.gov. But in case there are stragglers, it’s always wise to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him or her two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.
- Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage firms, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, and credit card, insurance, and utility companies.
- Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies.
- Have a “garage sale" or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items.
1 Week Before Moving Day
- Aim to finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.
- Disassemble stereos, TVs, beds, mirrors, etc.
- Go to your local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.gov. But in case there are stragglers, it’s always wise to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him or her two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.
- Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.
- Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage firms, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, and credit card, insurance, and utility companies.
- Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies.
- Contact utility companies and service providers to arrange to have your appliances/services disconnected and, if necessary, reconnected in your new home.
- Make sure all library books have been returned and all dry cleaning or items out for repair have been picked up. Also retrieve any items out on loan.
2 Days Before Moving Day
- Finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.
- If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure to empty, clean, and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day.
- Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and other specifics and make sure you have prepared exact, written directions to your new home for the staff. Include contact information, such as your cell phone number.
- If you haven’t already arranged to pay your mover with a credit card, get a money order, cashier’s check, or cash for payment.
- Don’t forget to make time for goodbyes.
- Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies.
- Dispose of flammables, propane tanks, corrosives and poisons.
- Empty your lawnmower and power tools of fuel etc.
- Fill any prescriptions or medications you will need for the next couple of weeks.
Moving Day
- Get up early and don’t panic!
- Walk your movers through the house, tell them what you need them to do and take their advice on the actual loading.
- Leave a note of your name, new address and contact number for the new residents of your home so they can forward any mail that slips through the cracks.
- Make sure cash, jewelry, important documents, checkbook and other valuable items are secure.
- Have a marker handy to make extra notes on boxes.
- Point out to the movers any extra-fragile items needing special attention.
- Did you remember:
- Electric
- Gas
- Water
- Telephone
- Sewer
- Trash
- Cable/Satellite
- Fuel(Oil/Propane)
- Pharmacy
- Dry Cleaner
- Lawn Service
- Banks/Finance
- Credit Card Companies
- Health Club
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Doctor(s)
- Dentist
- Veterinarian
- Lawyer
- Insurance Agency
- Publications
- Auto Finance Company
- Veterans Administration
- Social Security Administration
