Streamlining a Move During the Holidays
Turn Holiday Moving Stress into Success
So, it is almost the most wonderful time of the year. No matter what holiday is yours to enjoy, moving during this time usually brings thoughts of stress, but it doesn’t need to cross over into dread.
Your move may also go past the holiday season and into the first of the year. The suggestions below work especially for tight, moving days when you have to run fast and still come out ahead of the game.
Lots of people find the holiday season is a great time for their move. Breaks at work and breaks in school classes can offer a perfect time to move into your new home. And while it may seem beyond ideal, with a little bit of planning, it can work.
The thought you put into packing will pay off later in the moving process. Here are ten packing tips that can keep your belongings safe, simplify your move, and save money.
- Consider Hiring a Relocation Company Most moving companies offer different plans that should fit your budget and schedule. Remember, you want to streamline your move, so call ahead, get on their schedule, and ask all the questions you can think of to ask.
- How much will my move cost if I do the packing?
- How much does your company pack for me?
- Are you connected with a long-distance mover?
- Do you offer short-term storage?
Essential Packing Hacks for a Seamless Move
- Gather Free Packing Supplies If you choose to use a relocation company but still want to cut your moving costs, head to your local Home Depot or Lowe’s and pick up various sizes of boxes. Keep in mind that many moving companies will provide moving supplies. Just ask! You can also check stores receiving frequent deliveries and large shipments, such as bookstores, pharmacies, grocery stores, and restaurants. Look for sturdy boxes that have handles for heavier items.
- Use Things like Blankets and Towels This is a blog on streamlining your move. Normally, you would purchase plenty of packing materials like paper and bubble wrap. If you can, do this. You are packing items that mean a lot to you and your family. However, you can also look through your home for items that can be used as packing materials. For instance, when packing fragile items, you can use your kid’s stuffed animals to fill empty spaces in boxes. Blankets, linens, and towels also work in place of bubble wrap. When it comes to wrapping things like mirrors and other large breakables, buy bubble wrap and moving blankets if they are available.
- Invest in Specialty Equipment and Services. If you plan to pack yourself, consider renting equipment that will make loading and unloading your belongings easier—for example, hand trucks, furniture dollies, ratchet straps, furniture pads, and lifting straps. Your moving team will have these, but before and after a move, they are invaluable. Don’t forget to have a boxcutter on hand, along with plenty of packing tape. Helpful hint: Vacuum-sealed bags will help winter gear and bedding take up less room.
- Have a Plan for Hazardous and Perishable Items There are things that you can’t take with you, and there are things moving companies won’t move. Common examples include flammable liquids, aerosol cans, perishable foods, pets, and some plants. Ask for a list of items your moving company won’t move. Either safely dispose of these items before moving or pack them in your car for transportation.
- Pack Storage Areas First This Old House advises, “The first items you pack should be the ones you use the least.” Pull tools, storage in the basement, and attic out along with your holiday decorations. If you have items in your closets that are already packed, pull them out and get them ready to go.
Holiday Moving and Planning: Stay Organized and Save Time
“Remember that long-distance moving companies typically factor the size and weight of your belongings into their rates.” This means it is worth taking the extra time to purge anything that you are not using. There’s no need to pack and restore something that is not used.
- When to Pack the Kitchen: Your Kitchen is one of the most time-consuming rooms to pack. Therefore, make sure to pack it in the beginning. Dishes, flatware, and glasses require extra attention. Begin by packing items you don’t use every day, like that heavy mixer. Professional movers say, “Pack everything except a single place setting for each family member. Or you can purchase paper plates and plastic cups and utensils for the last week in your old home.”
- Set Aside Valuables and Essentials This is super important! Make sure you pack a few small boxes that contain your valuables and sentimental items. Don’t mix these in with other things like towels and china. After you arrive at your new home, these can be the boxes you put in a very safe place or that you unpack first. Also, they need to travel with you in your vehicle. If you are moving across the state or country, pack a suitcase that contains all you need for an overnight stay or longer.
Make Unpacking a Breeze in Your New Home
Consider This: You may also want to pack a box of things you’ll need as soon as you move into your new house. It is an “open-first box”, and it needs to contain cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, batteries and paper items like plates and plastic utensils.
- Inventory and Label Streamlining your move does not mean you skip important details. Try to have a plan in place. Sketch it out on paper and you will be glad you did. Create an inventory as you pack. If you don’t have time to create a spreadsheet, use a notebook or take photographs of the contents of the boxes that you pack. If anything goes wrong or is broken, you will have what you need for an insurance claim.
It is important to label boxes, including the contents and the room where they need to be placed. While you are labeling things, be sure to label the rooms of your new house so movers will know exactly where things need to be placed.
- Keep Furniture Parts and Assembly Tools Together. You will be glad you did this. Avoid the nightmare of looking for screws and nails once you arrive at your new home. Some furniture, such as bookshelves and bed frames, might need to be disassembled before moving. Use packing tape to keep them together. Then, label the room where they need to be placed. Use plastic bags for screws and other small pieces, then attach the bag to a larger piece of furniture with masking tape. Make sure your toolbox is with you as you travel to your new location. You will need it!
When it comes to moving, it is best to think beyond packing and consider what it will be like to unpack in your new home. Thinking ahead to the unpacking process will take some stress off. Many people like to move their clothes in their cars and carry them in first. Drawing up a plan for your move, no matter how simple will help you pack better and unpack with greater peace of mind.
One of the many factors that set Lambert Moving Systems apart is its partnership with North American Van Lines. As an authorized agent of this renowned moving network, Lambert offers award-winning services coast to coast. Call or Schedule an Appointment to get started with your moving journey!
Are you in the market for a mover in Alabama? Lambert Moving Systems is one of the top companies for moving in Alabama. We’ve been around for 90 years. Find your location below to get in touch now!
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