It’s so exciting to move into a new home, but it’s also a lot of work. Whether you’re heading across town or across the country, packing for a move can be a daunting task.
Like all big jobs, having a plan at the outset can make the packing process go more smoothly. This article will explain how to pack for a move without going crazy.
At Julia Monaghan Real Estate, our team members are experts at helping people on the path to their dream homes. We work extensively buying and selling homes in the Portland Metro area. We’d love to be part of your next move by helping you sell, buy, or both. Reach out today to get started.
What To Do When It’s Time To Start Packing For a Move
You’ve got a contract on a new home, and it’s so exciting! You’re probably already picturing your things in the new house.
Here are seven tips to help you pack, including some things you can do before you start throwing your stuff into boxes.
1. Stop Buying Things
Okay, this sounds more like something you aren’t doing than something you should do. But it needs to be on your radar. Anything you buy now will be another item that you have to move.
If you need to purchase things for your new home, be sure to schedule delivery for after you move.
Most likely, you have a lot of food stocking up in your pantry. If so, now is the time to work through that supply. Take inventory of the ingredients you have and plan meals that will use up as much as possible.
If shopping is your hobby, keep it under wraps until after you’re in the new home. You’ll be glad that you have less to pack.
2. Plan Your Moving Budget
Now is the time to figure out how your things will get from your old home to your new one. It’s also the time to gather estimates from professional movers if you want to hire out the job.
If you have strong, willing friends with trucks, you may only need to budget for drinks and pizza. Friends get hungry after lifting all of your stuff, you know. But if you don’t have volunteers, or if you’re moving a long distance, you’ll probably need to hire help.
Some services you may consider:
- Rent a truck to pack and drive yourself. Remember to include the cost of filling the gas tank in your budget.
- Rent a mobile storage container. You will need to pack this container on your own, but the company you rent from should be able to move it to your new location. Also, you don’t have to fill a thirsty gas tank with this choice.
- Get space on a freight trailer. Many freight companies offer space in trailers, the big semi-trucks you see on the freeway. After they drop off the trailer at your location, you have three days to pack it. Use as much space as you need, then set up a partition behind your load. They charge by the linear foot.
- Hire a moving service. A professional moving company takes the lifting and driving out of your hands. They provide the staff and truck to haul your boxes and items. Some companies also do the packing for you, but not everyone wants to hire that out.
No matter which option you choose, make sure you are crystal clear on what any hired companies will provide. Have a contract in place that outlines all costs and timelines. Once you’ve chosen your moving plan, you will know how much to budget for services.
3. Purge, and Then Purge Again
When it’s time to prepare for a move, most people are shocked at how much stuff they’ve accumulated. Whether you’ve lived in your current spot for one year or 30 years, you probably have plenty of items you no longer need or want.
And you certainly don’t want to put time and energy into packing items you don’t care to keep. Go through every room in your home with a critical eye. Donate, sell, or discard anything that doesn’t need to go to your new home.
Some organizations even pick up donations from your house, saving you a trip. And if you’re in our neck of the woods here in the Portland area, G.I Junk Removal is perfect when you have items to dispose of before your move.
If you are hiring a professional moving company, take a second look through each room. Since they will probably charge by weight, you may want to get rid of even more items. If you’re on the fence about some things, consider if the cost of moving them is worth it to you.
4. Gather Supplies
Unless you hire out the entire process, you’re going to need supplies when you pack for your move. Get everything you need before you start filling boxes so that you won’t have to interrupt the process.
Here are some essential materials to have ready:
- Boxes: Be sure to have various sizes.
- Packing Tape
- Styrofoam, Bubble wrap, or Newspaper: You need plenty of material to cushion fragile items.
- Permanent Markers
- Labels
- Stretchy Plastic Wrap
When you think you have enough tape, markers, and labels, buy more. They always seem to disappear quickly.
Although you can buy moving boxes from places like U-Haul, many people prefer to save on costs by using free boxes. Try asking around in local Facebook groups since there’s usually someone who has just moved and would love to pass on their boxes. Pharmacies also can be great places to get free boxes that aren’t too big to handle.
5. Put Everything Possible In Boxes
Nothing packs as nicely into a shipping truck as a square or rectangular box.
It may be tempting to leave some awkward-shaped items until the end, hoping they’ll tuck in somewhere. But if you box items, they become stackable. By packing everything into boxes, you’ll be able to make better use of the vertical space in the moving truck.
6. Make Your Boxes Easy To Identify and Route
Are you worried about a sea of brown boxes at the end of your move? Make it easier to route boxes to their destination in your new home with color-coded labels.
Pick a different color for each room in your current home, such as blue for the master bedroom. Put a colored label on all sides of each box to make it easy to spot. You’ll know just where to take everything once you start unloading at your new house.
7. Consider What Your Children and Pets Will Need
Kids and pets need a lot of attention, regardless of what else you’re trying to do. Moving day with children and animals will be demanding and exciting, so be sure to enlist help watching out for them during the move.
Let Us Help You Find Your Next Home
At Julia Monaghan Real Estate, our team knows that packing for a move is stressful. But the home buying and selling process doesn’t have to be. Julia has years of experience helping sellers and buyers. Reach out today to start the journey.
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