Tips For the Big Move
These tips will prepare you for the big move and help ease the transition.| They turn what could be a stressful day into one that is more organized. Roll up your sleeves and use the following list as a guide for packing up all of those boxes.
- Pack one room at a time. Be sure to label each carton as you proceed. This will help you when it comes time to unpack.
- Pack what you need least, first. (i.e. If it is spring, pack all your winter clothing).
- Always put packed boxes as close as possible to the door.
- Place heavy materials in small boxes, and linens and towels in medium sized boxes.
- Mark all boxes, designating room and box number. Make a carton identification log to show the number of boxes packed per room, and the total number of cartons packed.
- Pack a couple of cartons a day, starting well ahead of the move.
- Be sure to have plenty of "filling" material available.
- Be sure that the bottoms of all cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents. Packing tape or gummed tape is better than masking tape.
- Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 pounds or less; it makes moving a lot easier. A general rule to remember on carton size -- the heavier the item, the smaller the carton.
- Label your boxes, especially the box with sheets and towels, so you can find them the first night in your new home.
- Teach your children your new address. Let them become familiar by writing it on their cartons.
- Place pictures and other fragile things between sheets and blankets to give them added protection. Plates and record albums should be packed on end vertically, rather than placed flat and stacked.
- Pack a box with toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, snacks, coffee and coffee pot, soap, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a couple of pans, and paper towels are some of the essentials you may need upon arrival at your new home. Ask your van foreman to load it on the van last, so that it will be unloaded at your new home first. Before packing medicine and toiletry items, make sure that their caps and lids have been tightly secured.
- Pack a similar box with the same things as a survival package in case you have to wait for the movers.
- Tour the warehouse of your mover to check for security, organization and cleanliness.
- You may need to call old residents or businesses, so take your current phone book with you.
- Lighten your load, host a Garage Sale.
- Make sure the mover does an inventory and make sure you check and understand what is written on the inventory form.
- Keep your Bill of Lading handy. Make a note of your shipment registration number.
- Give the foreman your reach number and an alternate number so they can contact you.
- Keep you pets away from all the activity on moving day.
- Let all your electrical gadgets "acclimate" themselves to room temperature before plugging them in.
- Leave the rest to the professionals. Sit back relax, and look forward to the new opportunities, new friends, new experiences, that are part of any move.
We would like to thank moving.com for the above article. Please visit the largest moving and storage directory at www.moving.com
