Packing Tips You Must Know When Moving House
Packing Tips You Must Know When Moving, Moving house sounds exciting, but it never is an operation we look forward to because very often we don’t know where to begin. You have to contact utility companies, clean your entire home before you leave, hire a removals firm in advance, not to mention pack all your belongings. So, how to pack up your house for relocation and make sure you don’t forget something in the process?
Packing supplies you need
No matter how many boxes you have lying around the house, you will need a variety of box types to accommodate all your belongings. You will also need to make sure that they are sturdy enough to weather the moving itself. Many often overlook the fact that purchasing moving boxes and other packing materials is a necessary part of house relocation.
If you have any spare plastic boxes, you can pack your fragile and valuable items in them. Alternatively, provided you have the time to search for free moving boxes, there are plenty of ways to obtain them. Keep in mind that sometimes you might have to go during a specific time of the day to procure the best ones, as some grocery shops, for example, receive shipments only once a week. Generally, you’ll need:
- Small boxes
- Medium boxes
- Large boxes
- Heavy duty boxes
- Wardrobe boxes
- Mirror boxes/ Telescopic cardboard boxes
For safety reasons, it’s best to use telescopic cardboard boxes if you want to pack mirrors and artwork.
You can make wardrobe boxes yourself by using a tall enough box and adding a metal rail you can find on eBay in different lengths. Additionally, you’ll need:
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Styrofoam
- Old newspapers
- Stretch wrap for furniture
- Marker
- Plastic bags
- Labels
There are whole moving house kits online you can find for different types of properties. Another option is to book a packing service from a removals company. Not only do they have different types of boxes suitable for all sorts of items, but they can also do all the packing professionally for you. Moreover, items packed by moving companies are usually insured against damage and loss.
How to pack for moving house
Begin packing well in advance
The average time it takes to pack all of your items depends mainly on their number. However, in most of our articles with packing tips, we state that you should start the process earlier than most people think. 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, there is not an exact number, but you get the idea.
Start with rooms and items you use less often
For instance, you can first tackle the rooms on the highest floor, especially if you have a loft, and then, little by little, move your way towards the bottom floors. Seasonal items you’re currently not using such as garden tools, coats, and Christmas lights are perfect examples of items you can pack before you handle everything else. Sorting through already packed belongings makes it easier to set aside the boxes you’re taking with you and those, which you would like to donate or give away.
Declutter and donate
Speaking of things you don’t want to take with you, 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. You can sweeten the deal with a pizza or drinks.
Make a detailed inventory list
These are extremely helpful if you have large collections of books, CDs, trinkets, etc. It’s okay, if you write just “Books” on the labels of your moving boxes. However, if you have specialized literature collection, which is not kept in a single room, we recommend typing out detailed inventory lists. That way you can upload the spreadsheets on your phone, while you print out and stick copies to each box.
Pack one room at a time
This is one of the most important packing tips which for some reason often gets neglected. There is a debate whether storing your items by room or by category is better. It really depends on what’s easier for you. Nevertheless, we recommend packing your belongings by rooms. Doing this will help you stay organized and will later tell the movers, or anyone unloading, which box goes where. Additionally, you can begin unloading and unpacking your items in reverse – from the top to the ground floor. Begin with the items you know won’t need any unpacking, then move the remaining boxes. This will also prevent unnecessary strain on your muscles as by the end of the relocation process you will probably be too tired to climb stairs with even more items.
Do not exceed the limit of 30 pounds per box
This is of high importance, if you move abroad, as there will be many more moving boxes to pack for sure. You might get a back injury or one of the boxes might not be able to withstand the weight when moving it. Pack light items in large boxes and heavy items in small boxes. This packing tip alone will save you a great deal of pain… literally.
Now that you know how to pack for moving home, we wish you happy packing and good luck!
