Are you moving to a new neighborhood? While moving down the street can seem like a relatively easy task, you might be astonished at the amount of planning a local relocation requires. One of the most critical aspects of any move (yes, even a local move) is the packing process, which you’ll need to master to achieve a successful relocation. Below, the professional movers and packers at Ace Moving & Warehousing discuss a few helpful tips that can make your packing process more efficient.
Use High-Quality Moving Supplies
Even if you’re only moving to the other side of town, don’t skip on your packing supplies. The best way to ensure your items arrive safely at your new abode is to protect them appropriately, which is easy to achieve with professional-quality supplies. What should you purchase for the best protection? Essentials include:
● Durable moving boxes. Avoid hunting for broken-down boxes behind restaurants and retail establishments. Free boxes are far less durable than ones you can purchase from a moving company, so if you want superior protection for your possessions, don’t cut corners here.
● Bubble wrap. For fragile items, bubble wrap provides insulation against jostling and breakage.
● Packing tape. Choose a durable, heavy-duty tape to ensure each box remains securely closed. If you choose to take the free box route, selecting a high-quality packing tape can help ensure your boxes don’t collapse or shift during transport.
● Labeling materials. For a stress-free unpacking experience, you’ll want to label each box you pack. Choose high-quality markers or color-coded tape so you’ll immediately be able to see what each box contains.
At Ace Moving & Warehousing, we offer a wide selection of professional-grade moving supplies and packing materials to meet your needs. Not sure which items are best suited to your local move? Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us!
We also offer full moving and packing services, as well as options for partial packing and DIY packing with professional-grade supplies. Whether you’re ready to tackle your relocation solo, or you need experienced help, we’re always here when you need us!
Sort & Consolidate Your Belongings
If you’re hiring a moving company, they won’t charge you by weight for a local move. However, depending on the company, they may tack on additional charges for the time required to load and unload the truck. What’s a simple solution for making your move as cost effective as possible? Get rid of old junk.
There’s no sense in moving items you no longer use since they’ll only add hours to your packing and unpacking process. Before you load a single box, be sure to sort through your items and decide what you want to keep and what you can stand to toss.
When consolidating your things, be honest with yourself — even if you really love it, when was the last time you used it? If it’s been more than six months to a year (holiday decorations excluded), it’ll probably collect dust in your new home, too. Once you’ve tackled the sorting process, consider selling unwanted items to help offset the cost of your move. If you don’t have the time or desire to sell your stuff, your local donation center should be more than happy to take it off your hands.
Inventory & Label Everything
To make the unpacking process as seamless as possible, be sure to create an inventory list of all the items in each box, bag, crate, and carton. You can use a simple pen and paper, create a note in your phone, or even take a photo inventory if that’s more your style.
Once you’ve recorded the full contents of each moving container, make sure you label it clearly and visibly. If you’re packing breakables, don’t forget to scrawl “FRAGILE” in big, bold letters across the top and sides of the container.
Pack Your Personal Vehicle
If you’re hiring professional movers and packers, there are certain things they won’t pack or move — which means you’ll need to take care of those items on your own. Which items are included in that list? The most common ones include:
● Perishable food. If it’s fresh, frozen, refrigerated, or partially open, your movers cannot move it.
● Hazardous materials. Liquor, aerosol cans, solvents, paint, fuel — if it presents a potential hazard to your professional movers, you’ll need to transport it yourself.
● Pets. No matter what type of pet you have, movers won’t take on that kind of liability. You’ll need to arrange safe transport or boarding for your animals.
● Irreplaceable items. If you own valuable jewelry, transport it in your personal vehicle. The same goes for important documents, such as medical records and financial statements. Keys, keepsake photos, and medications will also It’s also a good idea to keep the items you use most frequently in your personal vehicle, just so you won’t have to go on a digging spree to locate them.
For a full list of the items your movers cannot pack or transport, refer to this valuable resource.
Have Your Boxes Ready to Go
If your local movers charge by the hour, the last thing you want is to incur additional charges because you’re not prepared on your scheduled moving day. If you've taken the DIY packing route, ensure everything is safely packed, taped, labeled, and easy to access on the day your movers arrive. If you can squeeze most of your belongings into a single room, doing so will provide plenty of space for the professionals to perform their duties quickly and efficiently.
Ready to Plan Your Rochester Relocation? Contact Ace Moving & Warehousing Today
Looking for a professional local mover? Then it’s time to get in touch with our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing! Since 1958, we’ve been helping Rochester residents with all of their moving and storage needs, and we’re ready to help you, too! To learn more about how our professional movers and packers can make your relocations as seamless and stress free as possible, give our team a call at 763-755-2045. You can also get in touch with us by filling out our contact form, and a member of our team will reach out to you promptly. Ready for an estimate? Feel free to request your free, no-obligation quote today!