Moving Tips & Preparing To Move

Planning ahead is the secret. We typically complete the packing for a home in one to two days with a full crew. Do-it-yourself packers usually can’t devote that kind of effort or time. Therefore, plan on working in intervals. We can’t emphasize enough that virtually everyone who has packed their own things has said it was more work than expected. This isn’t meant to discourage, but rather to encourage you to start early and give yourself plenty of time.          Why can we pack faster than most people who pack their own things? The answer is simple; when we pack, everything goes unless otherwise told so. When you pack your own things you’ll find yourself questioning endlessly: Do I need this? Where is this from? Should I keep this? etc.. The greatest time consumption is the sorting. Start weeks in advance if possible. Packing just a few boxes a day will get you farther along than you think.

If you’ve ever had a chance to watch a professional packing team, you’ll see that the first step is to prepare your work environment. Have your paper and box set up close so it’s easy to wrap items and place them directly into the box. If possible, set the box you're packing on top of another box to reduce the amount of bending over you'll have to do. Packing can be hard on your back. Bend your knees to reach lower cabinets and concentrate on keeping your back straight.   Take some time before packing and consolidate things that go together. If you need to stop and go searching for items to fill a box, you’ll lose a lot of time. Gather nic-nacs together. Gather small pictures together, coats, shoes, etc. When you start packing, you’ll find it quite easy to do when similar things are in front of you.

Looking for moving help? Some moving tips and tricks from Firpo-Heritage can save you time and money with your move.  We know preparing to move is a difficult time.  To avoid stress throughout the moving process, be sure to keep life's daily essentials in an easy to find place. Choose a central location and make this the Don’t Pack Zone. This is for the things that you may need at any time:

Car keys

Checkbook, credit cards, financial matter

Medicine 

House documents

Phone charger

The infamous Last Minute Box. Enough can’t be said about it. Put together a small (1.5 cu ft) box and keep it in the kitchen or dining room. It’s for the things that you’ll need to the very end, most likely the same things you’ll be looking for as soon as you move in. Mark this box on all sides “LAST MINUTE, OPEN FIRST”  and the crew will bring it right to you at destination.

Remote controls

Extension chords

Light bulbs

Pens

Batteries

There is no mystery to packing when all of your materials are in one place. It comes down to good common sense. Use plenty of paper for cushioning. Wrap fragile items separately. Keep breakables tightly packed inside the box to prevent shifting during the move.    Choose the right carton, fill the bottom with 2-3” of crushed paper and build a tier of heavier items. Fill in the empty spaces with paper to prevent shifting. Fill the boxes all the way to the top to prevent caving in, even if it means filling in the top with extra paper.