Packing is a process that goes smoothly with proper planning. And the more you need to take with you, when moving, the better you’ll fare by thinking ahead rather than rushing in.
If a cross-country move is on the cards, then this guide to packing will be invaluable, so read on and we’ll fill you in on the main details.
Having a good moving company on your side is a must
Before you do anything else, consult with a company like longdistancemoving.com. That way you’ll get expert advice tailored to your precise needs, and you won’t be left scratching your head when facing common problems that the pros tackle every day.
Another advantage is that you’ll be able to work out how much the move will cost. There’s nothing worse than getting a long way through your preparations, only to realize that you haven’t got the budget to achieve what you’d hoped.
Setting a schedule is crucial
When it comes to a slick moving experience, timing is everything. You don’t want to leave important jobs to the last minute, or miscalculate how long it will take you to complete certain stages, so plotting this out first and being realistic about what you can achieve in a given period is important.
Take inventory of what you want to move, work out how many boxes you’ll need, and estimate how long it will take you to pack everything up. If in doubt, pack just one box to act as a baseline measure.
Decluttering is sensible
Giving yourself plenty of leeway in your schedule will also mean that you can use your packing as a means of whittling down your possessions to those things that give you joy or are practical necessities.
We all tend to accumulate a lot of clutter over time, and rather than holding onto items that are meaningless and unused, you can create a separate pile as you pack for objects which can be given away, sold or scrapped.
The other advantage to decluttering at this stage is that the move itself will be quicker and cheaper since you won’t have as much stuff to shift.
Packing accessories are time-savers
Collecting the tools you need to pack efficiently will stand you in good stead not only for this move but for any other relocation you undergo in the future.
You’ll need boxes, of course, along with scissors and packing tape. Eco-friendly packing materials such as old newspapers are very appealing if sustainability is your thing, although for precious items bubble wrap is still preferred, and can of course be reused.
A permanent marker is another must-have, allowing you to label boxes so that unpacking can be done logically.
Don’t make more work for yourself
The good news about moving cross-country is that some items don’t need to be packaged up, but can instead be shipped in situ.
Clothing is the perfect example; if it’s in a chest of drawers, a dresser, or a wardrobe, it should be movable in this context, rather than needing to be decanted.
Be savvy when packing
Last but by no means least, when putting items in boxes and other containers, be sure to stack lighter items on top of heavier objects, so that there’s a limited chance of crushing or breakages occurring in transit.
Your most precious and fragile items will need to be packed with greater attention to detail, and might even be worth taking with you in your personal vehicle, so as to limit the likelihood of them being compromised on the road.