Have Plenty Of Supplies
If you're packing yourself you'll need lots of boxes-as many as 80 to 120 for a 4 bedroom house. You'll also need strong plastic packing tape to close up the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your items), packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion fragile items. Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies.
Utilize wardrobe boxes.
These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. Placing shoes in the bottom of wardrobe boxes and then adding clothes is one packing option. You can also use them for closet storage boxes and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes.
Color coordinate.
Designate a color for each room in the new home, such as yellow for kitchen, orange for dining room, etc. Apply colored stickers on the box near the box number. In your new home. Put a matching sticker on the door to each room. That way we'll will know exactly where to put everything when they arrive at the destination. It's also helpful to post a big sign on the wall in the room where you want boxes stacked, ("Boxes here please") to keep them out of furniture and traffic areas.
Use your luggage.
Fill luggage and duffle bags with clothing, sheets, towels, and paper goods. Even for local moves you'll be able to quickly spot your navy suitcase holding your favorite sweaters, whereas "Box #126" might remain elusive for days.
Keep things together.
Keep bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps, and extension cords with appliances. Small, loose parts can be attached to the item they belong to with tape or placed in small envelopes -- to keep picture hooks with pictures, shelf brackets with a bookcase, a special wrench and bolts with the wall unit. Keep larger corresponding items (such as a cable TV cord) in Ziplock bags, and tape these to the underside or back of the item.
Keep important papers with you.
Your list of important papers might include: birth certificates, school records, mover estimates, new job contacts, utility company numbers, recent bank records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and more. If they are already on the truck and you need them quickly finding one box may be difficult.
Remember: You're driving a truck.
If you're driving your own rental truck keep in mind that the vehicle your in could weigh upwards of 20,000 lbs and might be as long as 26 feet. Remember that moving vans can require up to 12 feet of overhead (watch that McDonald's drive-through) clearance and allow a 3-second gap between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Get The Insurance
We can't stress this enough. Big trucks can cause big damage. We personally witnessed a customer make a right turn and put the rear end of a 26 foot u-haul right into a concrete abutment. Luckily no-one was hurt. The damage was minor but to add insult to injury they had not gotten the rental insurance and had to pay for the damage. If we're picking the truck up for you we can't do it without the insurance. If you're paying by credit card and think the credit card company covers the insurance triple check that they will. Most (if not all) credit cards do not cover the insurance for truck rentals for the purpose of moving.
Here's U-Haul's information on insurance: http://www.uhaul.com/protection/super_safemove.aspx
And Budget's insurance information: http://www.budgettruck.com/moving-truck-rental-protection.aspx
Plan Ahead
Move on a weekday if you can, when banks, utilities and government offices are open. Order preprinted address labels with your new address as soon as you know it as it makes the change-of-address process much easier. Choose a packing room ahead of time and box up a few things each day. Also, the moving industry has peak and off peak seasons. The peak is during the summer. During that period of time the demand for moving equipment, vans, and personnel is heavy so try to give as much notice as possible.
On The Day Of Your Move
Set boxes that don't go on the moving van aside and mark "DO NOT LOAD" so they won't be taken. Before the truck leaves check the basement, attic, shed and other out of the way places to make sure all items have been loaded. Coming back for an additional load can be costly and time consuming.
Hire A Professional Mover
Professional moving companies have the experience, special equipment and often what's really needed, the manpower. Custom blankets, covers, hand trucks and dollies will all be part of the service. Packing a large truck from front to back and floor to ceiling properly can make a big difference in how successful a move is going to be. Naturally we'd appreciate your business. After all, that's what we do.
