Here’s a helpful move-management countdown calculator to help you plan and organize your move. Once your date is set, create a week-by-week task list to help you stay on schedule and to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
- Start a “Moving” binder or expandable file folder to keep all the information in one location. Include everything related here (e.g., the moving information, donations, sales and giveaways, storage, lodging, and other information for the destination location).
- Use food, cleaning supplies, and other perishables or consumables you don’t want to move. Have a plan to give away, toss or find alternate transportation for anything liquid, perishable or open food (most moving companies will only take sealed food-closed resealable bags are fine for food items).
- Check pricing on moving companies, trucks, and storage facilities and be ready to book in 1-2 weeks. There are several options: DIY, hire a service or a hybrid (you pack, they move). You may also want to consider having a container dropped for you to fill and empty as you’re able.
- Make decisions about large items to sell, donate, or give away. Collect items to get rid of throughout daily routines; keep an empty box and bags in one location and place items to get rid of. Take regular trips or schedule pick up so these items don’t accumulate.
- Research hotels or other temporary housing and book as needed.
- Enlist or hire help for the day of the move and unpacking the following days.
Packing Supplies
Locate and/or purchase boxes and other sturdy, undamaged packing supplies. Determining the number of boxes needed is a bit tricky, but a moving supply company can help you calculate this based on how many household members you have and how large your home is. This packing calculator is also helpful if your packing for yourself. Supplies will include the following:
- Boxes in various sizes, including specialized wardrobe boxes, China and silverware boxes-aka Dishpacks, flat boxes, and cardboard for artwork.
- Equipment such as dollies and hand carts will make moving large items much easier and safer.
- Packing tape (and guns), markers, labels, box cutters (or other such knives), bubble wrap/packing peanuts, and newspaper (or unprinted newsprint, which is much less messy).
- Packing pads, blankets, sheets (the old ones you don’t need anymore), and plastic shrink wrap (which is not very eco-friendly but sometimes is very helpful!).
Lists and Inventory
- Number each box and add it to a list if you are DIY packing/moving. This will make unpacking essentials much easier.
- Include a short description of the contents of each box, making special notes of valuable (sentimental or monetary) items or general contents by Category ex. Lampshades, pillows, linens, China, clothes, etc. These can be attached to the box or separate.
- Label the box with the DESTINATION room location
- Work alongside packers (if you’ve hired a moving company) to be sure boxes are labeled accurately (even if they don’t have a description, you can add a number and room).
- Consider color-coding if there are essential boxes to be opened immediately, versus things to be stored and opened later (this is not uncommon with houses under remodel or more complex moves).
Packing-Where & How to start
Think about what is heavy and small versus what is bulky and light. You will want to match the most appropriate boxes to the items. Wardrobes and larger boxes for clothing (especially so you don’t have to remove everything from hangers!), small for books and dishpacks for kitchen items (they are usually stronger and can handle large/heavy and fragile items). Pack your boxes all the way full. Empty space at the tops will cause them to be crushed and damaged when stacked and in transit. This can cause damage to the items inside. Search for items (pillows, linens etc) that might fill the space or use wadded up packing paper to fill holes.
- Start with large-medium pictures and artwork, especially personal photos, which are not functional, so you can live without them. These should be flat packed, with backs and fronts facing one another. Some art boxes can hold more than one work. Wrap them in bubble wrap or padded packing paper, then slide into art boxes.
- Next, remove all the small artwork from the walls and surfaces. Pack smaller photos and artwork in medium-sized boxes, with newsprint wrapped around each and bubble wrap or cardboard between them.
- Next, pack up small decorative non-function items. Otherwise known as Nicknacks:)
- In the dining room and kitchen, pack formal China, stemware, crystal, and serving pieces you will not be needing.
- Books should be packed into small boxes, so they can be more easily lifted and stored in transit. Since they will be the most heavy boxes, please don’t load them into medium or large boxes. Pack them all the way to the top.
- Seasonal clothing or formal ware that you will not be wearing can be packed into medium-large boxes, unused luggage or wardrobes.
- Linens that are needed can be packed in medium and large boxes.
- Lamps should have lightbulbs, lampshades and harps removed. Use painters tape to label which lamps and shades go together. Stack lampshades together to be packed in the appropriate sized box-by themselves so they are not crushed.
- Rugs and pads can be rolled and wrapped with shrink plastic (don’t use tape, which can damage the carpet fibers).
If you are looking for more moving assistance, please reach out and I can work with you to create a customized plan or search my blog for ‘move management‘ posts for more tips!
