10 Packing Tips for Moving Seamlessly
Moving is an overwhelming experience for businesses and individuals alike. It’s time-consuming, and can be expensive if not done right. Maximize time and minimize stress with our 10 top packing tips for moving seamlessly.
1. Start Early
Many people severely underestimate the time it takes to pack. Don’t wait until the last minute to start. Begin packing off-season or infrequently used items as soon as you can. Then, as the move gets closer, you can move on to other more day-to-day necessities. Remember, when moving a business, you’ll need to pack not only your physical office or shop space, but also any inventory and storage space. Add several weeks to your timeline if you have a large inventory to go through.
2. Reserve Help In Advance
Packing and planning is a long process, but your actual move will probably take place in just a few days. With a tight, set schedule you’ll need to plan far in advance to hire a moving crew or rent a truck. This is especially true if you are moving at the beginning or end of the month or during the busy summer season. Request quotes from each moving company in your area before making a decision. After you know which company you want to handle your move, make your reservation at least two months in advance to avoid scrambling at the last minute.
3. Gather Supplies
Before you start packing you’ll need plenty of boxes. Buy them new, reuse old product or office supply boxes, or collect them from local businesses like department stores. However you get them, make sure you have a variety of sizes to pack your largest and smallest possessions. After boxes, protective packing materials should be next on your list. You’ll also need packing tape, scissors, and markers to close and label each box.
4. Pack Room by Room
Stay organized while you pack by completing each room before moving on to the next. This way, you’ll be able to easily move your packing supplies from room to room instead of lugging them back and forth as you complete the job. After a room is packed, use it to store the boxes. This will keep appropriate items together during the move and make it easier to unpack in your new space.
5. Keep Weight Distribution In Mind
The way you choose to pack each box can help or hinder your move. Keep your possessions from spilling out onto the sidewalk with a few simple packing tips for moving. Try to keep all packed boxes under 50 pounds. If a box is very heavy, consider redistributing the items inside or removing a few heavy items for lighter ones. Make sure to pack heavier items in the bottom of each box first, then add lighter ones on top. Large boxes take more packing material to fill and that weight can add up quickly. Confine the heaviest items to their own smaller boxes to avoid adding extra weight.
6. Fill Boxes Safely
After your boxes are packed, you’ll need plenty of protective packing material to keep your items safe. This is where your MINI PAK’R comes in. Use MINI PAK’R Pillow Pak quilts to line boxes or layer between fragile items like plates. Air cushions are great to fill extra space in boxes without adding weight and will protect your items from breaking by keeping them in place and absorbing shock. And don’t forget, after your move those inflated air cushions and quilts can be reused or recycled!
If you don’t have access to a MINI PAK’R there are tons of creative packing alternatives. Use whatever you have easy access to, just make sure your items are secure and protected!
7. Check the Bottom
Doublecheck the bottoms of filled boxes to make sure they are sturdy and will not give way when picked up. Add an extra layer of packing tape to a bowing seam or swap out the box entirely if you aren’t confident that it will hold what is inside safely.
8. Label and Number Every Box
Even the most organized person can’t keep track of each and every box alone. Make your move much easier on yourself by labeling each box with the room and, if there are multiple boxes, a number. Mark both the tops and sides so labels are easily visible. Keep a log of each box’s number and a quick list of it’s contents. That way, if you need to unpack something before moving or immediately after, you’ll find what you need faster, even if boxes are stacked.
After the move is complete you’ll be sure everything is in it’s proper place and no boxes are missing. But, if a box is missing, your log will come in very handy while you make a claim to replace what was inside.
9. Donate What You Don’t Need
Moving to a new space is the perfect time to declutter. Part with old phones, furniture, knick knacks, and even office supplies that you no longer need rather than carting them to your new location just to take up space. You’ll save money by moving less items and can even get certain tax breaks by donating to registered charities.
10. Safely Pack Electronics
Packing electronics correctly is very important to ensure these often expensive items all make it through your move safely and in good working order. Begin by removing any cables. Put cables in clear bags and label them with the item they belong to. Cables should be removed to avoid being damaged or lost and keep ports and pins from being bent or warped. Computer monitors and televisions should be wrapped individually in thick moving blankets or bubble wrap (or Pillow Pak quilts!) and taped. Never put monitors or flat screens into boxes. When moving computers, don’t stack them or stack other items on top of them. Like computers, printers are sensitive devices. Remove printer cartridges and tape down covers and scanner lids. Be sure to follow any specific instructions for moving fax machines, copiers, and printers. Improperly moving these items could damage the device and, in some cases, void the warranty.
Don’t forget your data! The best way to protect your digital data is to purchase a removeable hard drive or use an online cloud storage service to back up all computers before moving them.
Use these packing tips for moving to plan and execute a successful move for your home or business. Have any other great tips? We’d love to hear them! Leave your top packing tips for moving in the comments.