Moving Tips

1. Pack early. The time it will take you to pack all your items depends mainly on their number. So, for a large house, two months should be enough if you pack one box a day. For smaller homes, one month should be just fine. Of course, this is not an exact number, but you get the idea.

2. Start with rooms you least need. Makes sense to pack the items you don’t use on a daily basis first. Seasonal items you’re currently not using such as garden tools, coats and Christmas lights are perfect examples. This will cause some chaos, which can make moving with your cat, or moving with your dog easier, by letting them explore the packing materials around.

3. Pack one room at a time. This is one of the most important packing tips which for some reason often gets neglected. Doing this will help you stay organised and will later tell the movers, or anyone unloading, which box goes where.

4. Declutter. Hold a garage sale or give your old unwanted items to charity. There is also eBay, so your options are plenty. If you have friends helping you with your move, ask them whether they need anything you’re planning to sell. After all, you’re not paying them and they should get something for all their troubles.

5. Do not exceed the limit of 30 pounds for a box. You might get a back injury or one of the boxes might not be able to withstand the weight. Pack light items in large boxes and heavy items is small boxes. This packing tip alone will save you a great deal of pain… literally.

6. Fill empty gaps. Use old newspapers, packing papers, or just old rags to fill gaps in the boxes. This should secure the items for the ride.

7. Label your boxes. Write the contents on each box with a marker. Write on the sides of the boxes and not on top, as this will make it easier to recognise them if they’re are stacked. It’s also advisable to use a different colour for every room. Ask your children, if you have any to help you. Kids love drawing and colouring, so what better way to reduce the stress of moving? This is just one method of helping your kids cope with the move.

8. Put heavier boxes on the bottom. Packing tips like this one might be common sense, but they’re still important to mention. By putting your heavy boxes underneath the lighter boxes, you ensure no breakable items will get crushed during the move. Boxes full of books and furniture parts are great examples of what you should load first.

9. Dispose of hazardous materials.

10. Prepare a box of essentials.