These tips are taken from our free moving guide "Jernick's Guide To A Stress-Free Move". We give a hard copy version of this booklet to our customers as part of their onboarding package. You can download our moving guide here.
Start Early: Begin packing well in advance of your moving day to avoid last-minute stress. Start with items you don’t use regularly.
Declutter Before Packing: Take the opportunity to declutter and get rid of items you no longer need or want. Donate, sell, or discard them to lighten your load.
Create a Packing Supplies Kit: Assemble a kit with essential packing supplies such as sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, markers, and labels. Keep it easily accessible throughout the packing process.
Pack Room by Room: Focus on packing one room at a time to stay organized. Clearly label each box with the name of the room and a brief description of its contents.
Pack Heavy Items in Small Boxes: When packing books, dishes, or other heavy items, use small boxes to prevent them from becoming too heavy to lift. Fill any extra space with packing paper to avoid shifting.
Wrap Fragile Items Carefully: Use bubble wrap, packing paper, or foam padding to protect fragile items. Pack them snugly in boxes and label the boxes as “Fragile” to ensure proper handling.
Pack Electronics Safely: Take photos of the connections before disconnecting electronics to remember how they were set up. Use original packaging whenever possible, or wrap them in bubble wrap and pack them in sturdy boxes.
Protect Furniture: Disassemble furniture when possible to save space and prevent damage. Keep screws, bolts, and other small parts in labeled bags, taped securely to the furniture.
Don’t Overfill Boxes: Avoid overpacking boxes as they may become too heavy or risk damage. Fill boxes up to a manageable weight and use packing material to fill any empty spaces.
Pack Essentials Separately: Pack a separate box with essential items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. Include toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, chargers, and basic kitchen supplies.
Label Boxes Clearly: Clearly label each box on the top and sides with the room it belongs to and a brief description of its contents. This will make it easier to unload and unpack in your new home.
Keep Important Documents with You: Carry important documents, such as identification papers, passports, medical records, and financial documents, with you rather than packing them in boxes.
Don’t Pack Prohibited Items: Avoid packing hazardous materials, flammable items, or perishable goods. Review the list of prohibited items provided by your moving company or consult relevant guidelines.
Use Clothes for Padding: Save on packing material by using clothing items like t-shirts, towels, and socks as padding for fragile items.
Take Photos for Reference: Before disassembling electronics, furniture, or complex setups, take photos from different angles. These photos can serve as a reference when reassembling them later. Remember, packing efficiently and effectively can save you time, effort, and potential damage during the moving process.