6 great packing tips for moving houses

6 great packing tips for moving houses

Category News

Planning to move? Is the mere thought of packing boxes already giving you nightmares? We understand that the task of moving is rather daunting to many people. But, with that being said, moving is the perfect opportunity to clean out the past, pack up the present and prepare for a fresh start. These top six packing tips will turn your nightmares into dreams come true…

1. Use the right sized boxes

Boxes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. This could either be helpful or detrimental to your moving experience. When you pack your boxes, be sure to put the heavier items (such as books, files, crockery and cutlery) in smaller boxes and the lighter items (such as pillows, blankets and clothing) in bigger boxes. This will ensure less breakage and happier movers on moving day. Great tip: Remember to estimate how many boxes you will need so you can gather enough well in advance.

2. Same room, same box

Unpacking and settling into your new home can be never-ending nightmare. What could be worse than having to dig through umpteen boxes just to find where you packed your toothbrush? This can definitely be avoided by packing one, and only one, room into a set of boxes labelled “main bedroom”, “study” or “bathroom”, for example. With this method of packing you will be able to find exactly what you need in a matter of minutes. Great tip: Be sure to write the name of the room very clearly and boldly on the box so when the movers carry your boxes into your new home, you can clearly see which room that box is meant to go to and can direct them well.

3. Get organised

Have you considered compiling an inventory when moving? This awesome idea will definitely make that epic toothbrush search so much quicker. While you pack a specific room into your designated boxes, be sure to make a list of exactly what you put inside each box. This will help you to locate your things easily and stress-free. Great tip: A spring clean is always a good idea before moving, just to make sure you don’t take things you don’t need anymore - like those hideous candlesticks your Aunt Beatrice gave you in the nineties.

4. Safety first

Picture this: You arrive at your new home, full of excitement and anticipation, only to be met by your movers chucking boxes around from one person to the next until they reach the designated rooms. When you reach the poor, victimised box, you open it to find everything squashed, smashed, chipped and cracked. A scene from your worst nightmare, indeed. This is why we recommend a “safety first” attitude when packing. The best way to make sure your grandmother’s fine china and other fragile items are protected during the move is to wrap them in bubble wrap and then pack them in several layers separated by paper towel. Luckily for you, bubble wrap is inexpensive and will prevent items from bumping against each other and breaking. For that extra bit of safety, you can label your boxes with big “fragile” stickers everywhere. Great tip: Check if your insurance company will cover any damages that may occur during the move.

5. Research, research and (yes, you guessed it) more research

We recommend that you do thorough research before you select and hire a moving company. Don’t get caught in a situation when you realise that you have no idea if your moving company is any good. That sinking feeling in your stomach is just too awful. Your movers are in charge of your valuables and assets for a significant amount of time. So choose them wisely. Check online, ask around, check reviews and make sure that the moving company you choose provides you with a smooth, efficient, damage-free service. Great tip: Google is your best friend. Just type in the moving company and check out the online reviews and ratings. Better yet, ask your friends which moving companies they suggest.

6. Weekly tasks

Packing up your entire house is a lengthy task that can leave you with grey hairs. So don’t leave all the packing to the day before your move. We recommend setting up weekly tasks to make sure that when your big moving day comes, you are ready to roll. Grab that notebook, or even your laptop, take it room by room and write down exactly what needs to be packed and when. Lists always bring order and you’ll feel so much more relaxed and prepared. Great tip: Be sure to stick to your list and don’t procrastinate, this will only cause more work later down the line.

Does packing up your home seem like a more doable task now? If you make time for preparation, tick all the boxes and use our tips above, your moving day will be a dream process. Happy packing!

Author: Seeff