We're Moving Where Do I Begin?

Fortunately, yours' is a well-traveled road and those who have gone before have given us these tips. Some organization at the start will help this project go more smoothly.

You Can Save Money By Packing Yourself
Packing your household goods is a very time and energy-consuming task. On average, it will take two people two full days to pack and prepare for the move of a 3-bedroom house.

If you haven't got the time or energy, you can always hire others to do the job for you. Discuss your needs with professional movers. They will do as little or as much packing as you want. Get quotes from several as their prices vary widely.   If you have something very delicate or valuable, why not have it professionally packed? You'll increase your chances of it safely arriving to your new home. If you pack yourself, though, it can be a real money-saver.

Several weeks before your move, take a realistic look at your belongings and dispose of unwanted or obsolete articles. Some people discover that moving is a great opportunity to 'purge' and let go of unused/unwanted items. Now is a great time for that Garage Sale! If not a garage sale, perhaps there is a charity in your community willing to redistribute your extra 'stuff'.

Start by setting up your packing center. Use a large table for a firm work surface. It's time to start collecting your packing materials.

How Many Boxes?
Use boxes designed for moving. I don't often recommend spending money - but in all honesty, good boxes can really make a difference in ensuring that your items arrive at their destination safely. They come in shapes and sizes specifically designed to fit a variety of household goods. You can buy them at self-storage facilities. They are a good investment.

Here is a guide for the number of boxes you might need. Most self-storage businesses will let you bring back unused boxes for a full refund, so take more than you think you need.  

1 or 2 rooms:
Sm. Boxes - 7, Med. Boxes - 3, Lge. Boxes - 3, China Boxes - 1, Wardrobes - 1

3 to 4 rooms:
Small Boxes - 15, Med. Boxes - 8, Lge. Boxes - 6, China Boxes - 1 or 2, Wardrobes - 1

5 to 6 rooms:
Small Boxes - 20, Med. Boxes - 12, Lge. Boxes - 8, China Boxes - 3, Wardrobes - 3   7 to 8 rooms: Small Boxes - 30, Med. Boxes - 20, Lge. Boxes - 12, China Boxes - 4, Wardrobes - 4

Box Descriptions  
Professional moving boxes come in a few different sizes:  

• Smaller (2 cu. ft.) boxes for heavy items such as dishes, files and books
• Medium (4 cu. ft.) boxes for pots, pans, small appliances, lamps, shades, clothing, linens, and toys  
• Large (6 cu. ft.) boxes for light/bulky items: pillows, bedding, stuffed toys
• Mirror or Picture Cartons are a great way to move art, framed posters, etc.  
• China Barrels provide extra protection for dishes, fine china and glassware.
• Wardrobe Boxes are used for packing clothes and drapery (each wardrobe holds approximately 20 garments).

Besides being strong and durable, there is another, not-so-obvious advantage to buying proper moving boxes. The uniform sizes allow for quick packing and stacking. When you have boxes of every shape and size, it is really time consuming to fit them all together in the moving van. If you are renting a van using uniformly sized boxes will save you time and money.

Other Packing Materials  

• Mattress covers to protect box springs and mattresses from moisture and dust  
• Newsprint (preferably non print and in pre cut sheets)  
• Tissue paper and/or bubble wrap for wrapping and cushioning breakable objects  
• Styrofoam chips are necessary fillers for empty spaces and will prevent items from bouncing around inside the boxes  
• Packing tape to seal the boxes  
• Twine to seal boxes and tie loose items together  
• Scissors or a sharp knife  
• Felt markers and/or box labels  
• Notepad and pen to list box contents as they are packed

Final Packing Tips  

• Label all your boxes on several sides. Include which room the box should be delivered to.
• If there are boxes that you want to open first, write a number on them.  
• Start by packing out of season, or least used items first. Leave the things you use everyday to the end.  
• Tape important things together such as pins for shelves and bookcases to the bookcase, nuts and bolts for bed frames to the bed frame, etc.
• Use crushed newsprint at the bottom of each carton for cushioning.  
• Fill empty spaces in the boxes with crushed paper. You don't want anything to slide around.
• Put heavy items on the bottom and lighter things on the top of each box.

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