Step One:  Downsize

Now is the time to be selective. Plan to bring only the items you want and need for comfort and daily use in your new space.

  • Do I love it or need it? Consider your space and purge enough so that all your items have a place in your new home.
  • Determining what to do with all of your purged items in advance and save time. Donate, give to family and friends, trash or sell.
    • Check your local donation outlets to see what they take and if they pick up.
    • Be sure to ask family and friend before giving them any of your items. You don’t want to fill their house with your unwanted stuff.
    • Check with your county waste to see if there are items that cannot go into the regular garbage.
    • Research the value of an item. Send a photo to an auction house for a quick response.  Other avenues for selling items: yard sales, Facebook, eBay, Craig’s List and consignment shops.
  • Give yourself permission to let go of sentimental items. It’s okay to let go of items you don’t want or love.

Step Two:  Pack

               Packing Paper vs Bubble Wrap

  • Paper for dishes, mirrors and small fragile items. It takes up less space than bubble and allows for stacking items, like dishes.
  • Bubble wrap for larger items like appliances and lamps because it has that added layer of air cushion. Tip: Do not skimp on the packing paper. It’s the most economical way to protect your items during your move.

               Packing Boxes vs Plastic Tubs

Packing boxes:

  • Easy to stack and store flush in a moving truck.
  • Recyclable & easy store when they are broken down.
  • Come in standard sizes for easy moving.
  • Made to protect household goods.

Plastic tubs:

  • Great for storing items in your new home.
  • Inefficient and cost more to move because they cannot be stacked edge to edge.
  • Vulnerable to cracking and collapsing during a move.
  • Keeps items dry.

               Best Labeling Practices:

  • Label on the top and side of the box (3 sides).
  • Use permanent marker.
  • Put your name on the box – first.
  • Put the name of the room on the box – second.
  • List the items in the box – third.
  • Share your floor plan with the movers on move day.
  • Label your rooms in your new home.

Step Three:  Unpack

  • Put on some great dance music.
  • Set up bedroom, bathroom and kitchen first.
  • Reclaim packing materials. Many moving companies will pick up moving materials and recycle them after the move.
  • Avoid clutter as you unpack by giving all items in your new home a place to live. An item that does not have a home will be put down in any available space.

If you are overwhelmed by the thought of the moving process, then give us a call or email for a free consultation.

Darla Pompilio

Founder

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC