How to Pack Your Home to Move – The Essential Guide

Getting ready to move but feeling unsure where to begin? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Going through a packing checklist before and during your move can help you stay organized and on track. Below is a helpful list to guide you through the packing process with ease.

Getting Started

• Set a Moving Budget: Moving to a new place can get expensive, so it’s important to plan your budget ahead of time. Figure out how much you can afford to spend on packing supplies and any moving help you might need.
• Identify Needed Packing Supplies: You’ll need several items to safely pack your things. Make sure to gather essentials like moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap and anything else that will help protect your belongings during the move.
• Make a Packing Plan: Start by figuring out which things you won’t need right away. Pack those first. Then go room by room, packing less important items before the ones you use more often.
• Get Rid of What You Don’t Need: Before you start packing, go through your stuff and get rid of anything you no longer want or use. This way, you’ll have less to pack and the whole process will take less time.
• Start Packing Early: As soon as you know your moving date, begin packing. Starting early helps reduce stress and makes the process smoother. Following a strict moving timeline will help you stay on track during the move.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Packing your whole home is a big job and you’ll need more than just your own hands. Ask friends or family ahead of time if they can help out. You’ll be glad to have the extra support.
• Consider Hiring Professionals: Many moving companies offer packing services If packing feels like too much to handle, let the pros take care of it. This gives you more time to focus on everything else that needs to get done.

Organize, Organize, Organize

• Begin an Inventory List: Staying organized during a move is important. Create an inventory list that shows how many boxes you’ve packed for each room. For example, if you have four boxes for the kitchen, write that number on your inventory list. This helps make sure no boxes go missing during the move.
• Properly Label All of Your Boxes: Labeling your boxes is a simple but powerful way to stay organized. It makes unpacking much easier because you’ll know exactly which room each box belongs to. This way, everything can go in the right place quickly. You’ll be surprised how much time and stress labeling can save during your move.
• Indicate Priority Boxes: This tip helps you or the movers know which boxes to unpack first at your new place. While packing, mark these priority boxes with a special label or sticker. This way, they can be loaded onto the truck last and unloaded first when you arrive.
• Obtain a Storage Unit: Using a storage unit during your move can help you stay organized. Some things you own might not be needed for a while, so putting them in storage gets them out of the way. This lets you focus on the more important parts of your move.
• Pack an Overnight Bag: Your first night in a new home can be a bit hectic. To make things easier, pack an overnight bag with everything you’ll need for that night. This way, you’ll have your essentials on hand and be ready to start fresh and organized the next day.
• Create a Moving Folder: To keep everything related to your move in one place, put together a moving folder. Store all your important papers and documents in it. That way, if you need something quickly, you’ll know exactly where to find it.

Valuables & Specialty Documents

• Never Lose Sight of Your Valuables: Some items are too valuable or personal to pack with everything else. Things like money, jewelry, important documents, prescriptions or travel tickets should be packed separately and kept with you the whole time you’re moving.
• Secure Significant Documents: Important papers like your social security card, birth certificate and tax records should never get lost during a move. Gather them all and store them in a fireproof box. This keeps them safe and protected. Keeping your vital documents together is a key part of a smooth move.
• Empty Out Any Safety Deposit Boxes: It’s easy to forget about items stored outside your home. Make a list of any safety deposit boxes you have in the city. Before you move, visit each one and collect your valuables. You definitely don’t want to leave anything important behind.

Packing your things for a move can be tough. Going over a packing checklist before and during your move can help keep everything on track. When you pack your items the right way, you’re less likely to lose or damage anything during the move.