Packing Your Home: The Quintessential Guide

Is it time to pack up your home and prepare for your move but you don’t know where to start? Well, it sounds like you may need a little help. Reviewing a packing checklist prior to and during your move will help you keep everything organized and under control. Below is a packing checklist that will help you do just that.

Getting Started

Determine a Moving Budget: Moving into a new home is not a cheap task; therefore, it will require you to create a moving budget. You should determine how much money you can reasonably spend on moving supplies and other moving services.
Identify necessary moving supplies: When you move, you will need a number of supplies in order to properly pack up all of your belongings. Therefore, stock up on packing materials such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other items.
Create a game plan: Determine which items in your home will not be used any time soon. Pack these items first since they will likely not be needed. After this, work your way through the house packing items of least importance first and items of greater importance last.
Eliminate unnecessary items: Before you begin the packing process, you should eliminate any unwanted items you may own. Doing so will reduce what actually needs to be packed, and in turn reduce the amount of time you spend on the entire process.
Pack early: As soon as you know what day you will move, start the packing process. A benefit for packing well in advance is stress reduction, which can make the entire experience much more enjoyable and efficient. Sticking to a strict moving timeline will keep you on track during your relocation.
Ask for help: Packing up your home will indeed require more than two hands. The more help you have the quicker this process will be. So, well in advance, ask your friends and other loved ones for help packing with packing up your belongings. In the end, you will greatly appreciate the extra assistance.
Hire the professionals: Professional moving companies also provide packing services. If you are overwhelmed by the amount of packing that needs to be done, let the professionals do the work. This will allow you the opportunity to get more done without having to focus on packing.

Organize, Organize, Organize

Begin an inventory list: You can never be too organized during a relocation. When you begin, you should create an inventory list. On this list, you should indicate how many boxes you have for each room in your home. For example, if you have four boxes that belong in the kitchen of your new home, indicate this on your inventory list. This will reduce the likelihood of boxes getting lost throughout your move.
Properly label all of your boxes: This helpful tidbit will keep you and your items organized and in place. Also, it will save a ton of time when it comes to unpacking your new home. You will know which room the boxes will need to go, and will therefore be able to put everything in its proper place in a timely fashion. You will be surprised how much labeling your boxes can simplify your relocation.
Indicate priority boxes: This organizational tip will help you or the movers know which boxes to unpack first in your new home. During the packing process, mark these priority boxes with a specialty mark or sticker. Doing so will help you or the mover set aside these priority boxes so they are the last to be loaded onto the moving truck, and the first to be unloaded when you arrive at your destination.
Obtain a storage unit: Putting certain items in storage during your moving process will help to keep you organized. There may be some items in your home that you may not need for an extended period of time. Thus, placing these items in storage will get them out of the way while you focus on the more important aspects of your move.
Pack an overnight bag: The first night in your new home will likely be filled with chaos. In order to stay sane during this time, pack an overnight bag. In this bag, you should include everything that you will need for the first night in your new home. Doing this will keep you organized and prepared to start the second day in your home efficiently and ready to unpack.
Create a moving folder: If you want everything involving your move kept together, create a moving folder. Keep all of your paperwork and important documents involving the move within this folder; therefore, if something comes up and you need quick access to some paperwork, it will be right at your fingertips.

Valuables and Specialty Documents

Never lose sight of your valuables: There are a certain number of items that should never be packed alongside your other belongings. Whether they be irreplaceable or priceless, items such as money, prescription medicine, insurance policies, airline tickets, jewelry, and more should be packed separately and kept with you throughout the entire moving process.
Secure significant documents: Documents such as your social security card, birth certificate, and tax forms are all papers that you do not want to misplace during a move. During the moving process, gather all of these items and place them in a fire proof box. This will ensure that your items will stay safe and secure from harm. Keeping all of your vital documents together during your relocation is a very important aspect of your move.
Empty out any safety deposit boxes: It is easy to forget to pack items that are not directly in your home. Because of this, you need to make a list of all the safety deposit boxes you may have in the city. Prior to your relocation, make sure you go to each one of these locations and claim all of your valuables. You will not want to leave these items behind.

Packing your items in preparation for your move is indeed a trying task. Reviewing a packing checklist before and during your move will put you on the right track to conducting a successful relocation. By packing your belongings properly, you will greatly reduce the possibility of damaging or losing any of your items during your moving process.