Whether relocating for work-related reasons or moving to a spacious new home, packing your belongings is an essential part of the process. You must ensure that your items are safely and well organized to protect them during transit.
But deciding how to pack your things can be a daunting task. While there’s a lot to consider, from selecting the right boxes and supplies to choosing what to bring along, the following tips can help make your long-distance move as smooth as possible.
1. Get the Proper Packing Supplies
You will need plenty of packing supplies to protect your items during transit. These include boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, labels, paper cushioning, zip-lock bags, and thick permanent markers.
Preferably, choose supplies specifically designed for moving and storing belongings, as these will do a better job than ordinary household items. Also, consider the size of the boxes you will use to pack your items.
A good rule of thumb is to measure each item’s dimensions before selecting its packaging box. Fortunately, you can easily buy packing supplies at most home improvement stores or online.
2. Consider Paying Your Moving Service to Pack and Unpack
Many people choose to pack and unpack their belongings themselves to save on their moving expenses. While it may help you save some money, this strategy can be time-consuming and stressful, especially if you are not an experienced mover.
Therefore, consider paying a professional moving company to handle your packing and unpacking needs. These professionals can help you with everything from packing boxes and disassembling furniture to loading and unloading your items into the truck.
Finding the best moving company, especially for cross-country moves, can be a challenge. The good news is that you can find the best options at 9kilo, an online platform that connects homeowners with top-rated long-distance movers in their areas.
3. Start Packing Early
Preparing for a long-distance move needs a lot of time and effort. You need to start packing early to minimize the risk of a last-minute rush and ensure you have enough time to gather all the required supplies and properly organize your belongings.
The amount of time needed will depend on the volume of items you plan to move. If you are planning to transport many things, it will help if you start the process several days in advance. For instance, experts estimate that you may require approximately three to five days to pack an average three-bedroom home.
4. Make Your Load Lighter
Long-distance moves involving heavy items can be challenging to manage. Therefore, try to keep your load as light as possible by shipping only the necessary items. This helps reduce your overall moving costs and save time during relocation.
When packing, sort your items into two categories: essentials and nonessential. The essentials should comprise the most important possessions in your home, while nonessentials should only consist of replaceable items you might not necessarily need.
Donating or selling the items you no longer want before you relocate can be an excellent way to make your load lighter. You may also want to safely dispose of any broken or malfunctioning appliances.
5. Label All Boxes
Unpacking and sorting your possessions when you arrive at your new home can be overwhelming and time-consuming. However, you can make the process easier by labeling each box to avoid confusion.
An appropriate label should include each item’s name and the room where it should be placed. Even better, you can use a different color label for each room for easier identification.
You should also consider labeling items, such as cords and cables, using permanent markers. That will make it easy to know what goes where in your new home.