Tips to Help You Pack for the Big House Move, Buying a house is always a daunting prospect, whether it’s your first purchase or not. You have to juggle so many things to make sure that the deal goes smoothly, including paperwork and other admin, as well as saving and paying for the property.
On top of all of that, you also have to tackle the physical move itself. This means packing and transporting all of your belongings, sometimes for long distances. Here are some tips to streamline the packing process.
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Sort and Pack in Advance
As soon as you have an idea of the moving date, you should think about packing your belongings. The first step should be to sort through what you want and need and what you don’t. Over time, families collect clutter and junk, and while a house move is a lot of work, it’s also a good opportunity to clear things out. After all, there’s no point in packing anything you don’t want. You’ll only have to unpack and sort it later.
Pack the things that you don’t need first, especially if it’ll be a few weeks before you actually make the move. This includes ornaments, seasonal clothes, or even some appliances and electronics you could go a few weeks without. Some people pack all but a suitcase full of clothes so that it’s even easier for them when it comes time to move.
Self Storage
As you pack in advance, you might find that your house gets cluttered with boxes. In this case, it’s a good idea to look for affordable self-storage to keep your belongings safe and out of the way. This way, it’s easy to transfer it to your new home on a moving day. Self-storage is also great if you’re moving a long distance and have a lot to sort out.
Some people find themselves in a situation where they have to temporarily stay somewhere before they can move into their new home, either because the old property’s sale has gone through, or because the new house needs work. In this situation, self-storage gives you a way to pack up and store your belongings until you can settle in properly.
Packing Supplies
Packing isn’t just a case of throwing your belongings in a van and hoping for the best. You need to protect your belongings during the hall, and this means investing in packing materials and supplies.
Cardboard boxes are the classic mover’s friend, and you should find heavy-duty boxes that can handle the weight of your belongings without breaking. Some people prefer to use plastic moving boxes. These are more hardwearing and reusable, but they are also more expensive, so are better when you’re packing and unpacking on the day.
You also want to invest in packing paper or another material that can fill in the gaps in the boxes and protect your belongings. Wrap anything that is breakable in paper or another packing material, such as glasses, cups, bowls, and plates. Bubble wrap works a charm, but many people prefer more eco-friendly options. Newspaper works well, and you can find it for free.
If you’re using cardboard boxes, then use packing tape or another sturdy tape to seal the boxes. You can also reinforce the sides and corners, making the box less likely to fail. Packing tape is a good option because it’s sturdy but easy to tear when it comes to unpacking.
Packing Strategy
Packing isn’t the most difficult thing to do, but it does require a bit of attention. As mentioned before, pack in a way that protects your items. Put heavy items on the bottle of boxes and, if possible, balance out your boxes so you don’t risk making them too heavy to lift safely.
Pack in a logical way to make unpacking easier. Work room by room and label the boxes, so that you know what items are in which box. This way, when you unload the moving van, you can put the right things in the right room and save yourself a job.
If you have older children, then you can get them to help you with the packing. This puts some work off your shoulders and it gets them involved in the moving process. The more involved they are, the more invested they might be in the move. You might need to help them with the first boxes, but it’s never a bad idea to teach your kids a little bit of responsibility.
