(Contributed by Jason Mueller.)
Moving can be an incredibly stressful process, whether you’re packing up a studio apartment or an entire house. But it doesn’t have to be so difficult!
As long as you know what you’re doing and plan ahead of time, there are ways to make the moving process a breeze. You can get through moving day without any accidents or mishaps and ensure that all of your belongings arrive at your new home entirely safe and intact.
There are some secrets to a smooth move, and these tips from professional movers will help you get packed, loaded, and on your way to your new home, all on schedule!
Tips for a Hassle-Free Move
We’ve compiled six top tips to help you get started on your big move and prepare you for a hassle-free process from beginning to end.
Tip #1: Bye-Bye Baggage
Professional movers are experts at providing services for all kinds of clients with their various belongings. As diverse as they may be, they are unified in one aspect: having too much baggage!
The amount of unnecessary clutter and unwanted belongings people tend to pack when moving is astonishing.
The first step in moving homes is to thus reduce your baggage. This must be done months in advance as it can be a time-consuming and perhaps even an emotionally taxing process.
Deep cleaning your current living space to reduce the number of things to take with you is absolutely necessary to avoid stress later on. This means that you must go through all of your belongings and donate or discard any old furniture, toys, clothing, empty containers, expired spices, and other knick-knacks that you no longer have use for.
Take inventory of everything in the following categories:
- Things you absolutely cannot do without
- Things you would like to take with you
- Things that you can get rid of if needed
Closely evaluate everything and get rid of what you can. You can revisit the items in the last category as you progress with your moving process.
Tip #2: Clear Folders and Bins Are Your Best Friends
Packing crucial documents and papers in a cardboard box is a mistake as it can make them difficult to find later. Opening up the boxes and rustling through so many papers is a massive waste of time and can cause stress—the last thing you want when you’re already going through a difficult move.
Clear folders for important documents will keep your papers safe and secure while also allowing you to identify them quickly.
The same applies to clear bins: your belongings will be protected from water, dust, and damage, and also be easy to locate.
Tip #3: Strategizing Beats Stress
Waiting until the last minute will always cost you. Having a general strategy and timeline in mind is crucial to a smooth move. Aside from hiring the services of a professional mover well in advance, you should also figure out the order in which you wish to tackle and pack up the rooms in your current home.
While you may not be able to pack up an entire room all at once, it’s best to get started as early as possible with as much as you can. This way, you’ll just be left with the essentials as moving day draws closer.
Tip #4: Prepare to Re-Plug When You Unplug
Knowing how to replug your devices before you unplug them is crucial. It can save you a lot of headaches and frustration in the future.
A simple trick is to take photos of the back of your appliances that clearly show where all the wires are plugged in. This can be your reference image for when you are setting your electronics up in your new place.
Take a few extra minutes to properly wrap and store all wires to avoid tangling. This will save you a lot of time when you unpack and will prevent damage.
Tip #5: Box It Up Properly
Keep these things in mind when boxing up your belongings:
- Put the heaviest items at the bottom of the box and gradually pile lighter items on top
- Do your best to evenly distribute the weight all around the box to make them easier to carry. When your belongings get loaded into the truck, the heaviest boxes will go in first. This distributes the weight evenly and keeps the truck’s suspension working properly for a hassle-free journey. So, pack your boxes accordingly!
- Don’t pack loosely and avoid leaving space in your boxes as it could lead to damage. Use soft materials like t-shirts, towels, or pillows, or even reuse newspapers to pack everything tightly
- Label your boxes clearly to keep track of your belongings and make unpacking a breeze
- Pack and load boxes according to the room they belong to
- Use waterproof boxes or totes for cleaning supplies and other items that may spill
A pro tip for finding the right boxes is to stop by a liquor store and ask them for empty cartons they can spare. Liquor shipping boxes tend to be more sturdy and better quality than traditional cardboard boxes.
Tip #6: Plastic Wrap Profusely
Wrapping wooden furniture and clothing boxes with plastic will prevent damage that may occur on your journey. A couple of layers of cling film keep dust, dirt, and spills away while providing extra cushioning.
Conclusion
A hassle-free move involves months of preparation and the right supplies. Begin decluttering and packing up your least-used belongings as early as possible so you won’t be frazzled when moving day arrives. If you’re moving with family members or roommates, make it a group activity to ease the stress!
With these tips in hand, you’re all set to have the smoothest experience with Three Movers to help you out. Whether you’re moving locally or to another state, you can contact them for flat-rate, hourly local moving services, including packing and crating, insurance, storage solutions, same-day movers, auto transport, and more.
