Moving Tips – Getting Ready to Move

Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! Now, for the next challenge: moving. This is a great time to carefully weed through your possessions and to dispose of any clothes, furniture and fixtures that you no longer want or need. Donate them to a charity, hold a garage sale – but if you don’t want them any more, don’t move them.

Are you going to pack yourself or hire professionals? If you’re doing your own packing, following is a list of materials you’ll need. Moving companies and overnight mail businesses can furnish these, as well as specialized items including wardrobe boxes for clothing and heavy-duty boxes for china and other breakables. Liquor and computer stores also are good sources for sturdy boxes.

You should start collecting the following materials:

* Boxes of all sizes
* Plastic bags
* Non-shredded newspapers
* Packing tape
* Markers
* Bubble wrap
* Tissues paper

Packing 101—A few guidelines

* Cushion the bottom and sides of boxes first
* Packed items should not exceed 30 pounds
* When packing, go room by room – it will make unpacking easier
* Begin your packing as early in the moving process as you can – it will take longer than you think at a time when you’ll be busy with many other concerns
* Label all boxes by item and where in your new home they should be placed
* Pack heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes
* Thoroughly wrap your breakables in newsprint paper, paper towels or clothing, placing them in dresser drawers, containers with lids, large cans, etc.
* Fill your refrigerator and washer and dryer with clothes, linens and other light objects
* Tape cords underneath all electrical appliances
* Don’t tape furniture, doors and drawers, as tape can cause damage; instead, use rope, elastic or long strips of fabric to secure furniture
* If you have children, let them feel they are a part of the process by helping them pack their toys

On moving day…

Fill one box with moving-day essentials like paper plates, a coffee maker and coffee, hand tools and extension cords, a bucket, rags, soaps and paper towels. You may also want to set aside a few days’ worth of clothing, food and other essentials you’ll need prior to arriving at your new home and prior to unpacking.