Our Favorite Moving Tips
Summer is a busy time for moving. Moving companies share their busiest times are between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the peak of the summer season. It can be quite a stressful time, but it can also be exciting, with new adventures ahead.
The team at Basic Organization would like to share our favorite moving tips if you or someone you know is getting ready to move.
Janet– “I’ll begin with the end in mind. When you finally land in your new home and start unpacking, you’ll want to get rid of all the empty boxes and packing paper to feel more settled. The first thing to do is to break down all the empty boxes and gather all the packing paper in some empty boxes. This will make it much easier to handle them. An easy way to find a new home for all these packing materials is to offer them FREE on Craig’s List or Facebook Marketplace. You’ll be able to list your address in the ad and place the materials at the curb. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they disappear. Someone is always DIYing their move and would appreciate the FREE boxes.”
Lori– “My moving tip is to pack a box or bag full of essential items to open on the day of the move. Some items would be paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, plastic utensils, medications, linens, pet food/medications, and any other items someone may need right away for that first overnight in the new home.”
Denene– “Moving day can be long and stressful. If you have kids or pets, make arrangements to have them stay with family, friends, or a babysitter for the day. Have plenty of cold drinks and lunch to nourish yourself and the moving crew.”
It can be quite a stressful time, but it can also be exciting, with new adventures ahead.
Rouba- “For packing, the key is to separate items by categories. Whether it’s clothing, accessories, kids’ items, or dishes, keep them separate. Designate an area in each room of the house for items you don’t want anymore, make it easy on yourself, bag it, and give it away or donate it immediately. Pack summer clothes separately from winter and label the boxes per item and the person’s name and size; these
labels are amazing. Pack heavy items, like books, in smaller boxes. Don’t bother packing cleaning products and any pantry open food; give them to a food pantry or you or your neighbors; they will love them.”
Michelle- “Always, Always, ALWAYS declutter before a move! Go through that junk drawer, donate clothes you no longer want or need, and look at those towels and sheets. You can save yourself time and money just by doing that. Label all moving boxes with contents and the room it is going to. Take it one step further and number your boxes. Keep an inventory of each box in a spreadsheet or simply on your phone to refer to if you find yourself missing a box. When unpacking, open every box, even if you are unsure where you’d like it to go. Put those items in a clear bin to see them and get to them later.”
Ann- “My advice would be to start as early as possible. Evaluate the items you own and decide if everything is worth moving. Don’t move things you haven’t used in years. If you have grown children, now is the time to have them evaluate everything they have left behind. Odds are they don’t want it. If you have younger kids, encourage them to get rid of toys they no longer play with or use. Maybe have a yard sale or sell things on Facebook and make a little money while you clean out.”
Always, Always, ALWAYS declutter before a move!
Patti- “Downsize if possible before you start packing. Have a good sense of where items are going at your next location. Take advantage of strong people to move big items. You don’t want to move big items once the movers have left. It’s stressful, but enjoy it as a new beginning.”
Sandy– “Most moves do not go according to the “Plan,” at some point, generally in the last week, people need to get things in boxes and worry about sorting out on the other end. People get very stressed that it is not done the way they want, and they neglect to see that maybe a large part is done how they wanted. There is always the last-minute push to get things packed and labeled. I also find it helpful to mark boxes to identify what is in them and indicate where they came from in the old house. Jogs the memory a little better. Also, be specific on the label if there are particular items you know you might be looking for.
Sue– “During my recent move, the Basic Organization team did an amazing, professional, and caring job packing my household goods. Their positive attitudes made the stressful process rather pleasant. Upon arriving at our new home, the movers mentioned that the labeled boxes made unpacking much quicker and smoother. No direction was needed since the boxes were labeled so well. While I tackled the daunting task of unpacking and dealing with a lot of paper, the thoughtful notes on the wrapped items, such as “Fragile,” “Two pieces,” or “Your Grandmother’s special dish,” brought a smile to my face. It is this extra attention to detail from the team that my favorite moving tip would be to hire Basic Organization!”
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All of these tips are terrific! When we moved to Singapore one of the lovely women who was teaching me the ins and outs of living there volunteered to pick my children up from the bus and feed them dinner on the day that the shipment of our furniture was being delivered so that I didn’t worry about them. I have always remembered her kindness and advise my clients to enlist their friends and family to help with young children and/or pets.
Great tip Diane. I agree that kids and pets add an extra element to a move. It’s a great idea to ask family or friends to help out.
Moving is one of life’s most stressful things. It always makes the top 10 list. All of these suggestions are fantastic!
I love your idea of putting the empty boxes and packing materials on the curb for neighbors to pick up. People are always looking for boxes, which can get costly to purchase.
Many suggestions included editing pre-move and the more time you give yourself, the better. Otherwise, you’ll pay more to move and have more editing to do on the other end. I know it’s not always possible. But given the option, I always encourage my clients to edit heavily before a move. They are more motivated to let go when moving, especially if they’re downsizing.
We have great luck with getting rid of the used boxes this way. People of always DIY moving, so there is always someone happy to reuse the boxes.
Editing is important before a move! It’s expensive to move so it’s important to only take what’s necessary.
All of these are great tips!
I always spread the packing paper flat when unpacking because often the movers will pack something tiny in the paper and otherwise I might miss it. Plus, the flattened paper takes up much less space!
My other tip is to use of the first empty boxes as a “donate” box. Even when we declutter before a move, it’s common to unpack items and have second thoughts. Having a place to put those unwanted items comes in handy!
Great tip to start a donation box. You’re right – there’s always second thoughts. We will do that!
We tend to write notes on the packing paper to identify if something small is packed inside.
These tips are fabulous. Even though I’m a professional organizer, and a fairly organized mover, I dread the moving process so much, I’ve stayed in the same place for 26 years!
I couldn’t agree more with so many of these pieces of advice. To Lori’s “Essentials” list, I would add a new shower curtain (or at least an inexpensive shower curtain liner). While new houses tend to have glass doors, apartments and older homes tend to have rods over the tub, and our minds tend to gloss over the need for a shower curtain…until we go to take a shower on our first morning in a new place.
Having kids and pets stay elsewhere on moving day is smart advice; I still remember, though I was only four, my mother arranging that I would only come to our new house after the movers had finished their work and everything was set up. I walked into a just-built house that looked like we had always lived there, right down to my pint-sized rocking chair right in the corner, visible as I walked in. Moving in to a “settled” home makes the transition for kids, as well, as grownups, more serene.
Great stuff!
Yes! A move can be stressful for everyone, especially for kids and seniors (and pets). I love that you remember your 4-year-old moving experience.