moving boxes

Whether you have months to plan your move or a few short days, you probably want to get the job done as quickly and easily as possible. Before you start throwing items into boxes, here are some practical tips for efficient packing made simple.

Take a Moving Inventory

Understand exactly what you’re dealing with by creating a detailed moving inventory that lists every item in your home. Of course, you can group like items together to avoid an overly long and complicated list, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Just keep the over-all goal of creating a moving inventory in mind, and that is to:

  • Determine what goes with you when you move and what you will leave behind.
  • Help you calculate moving expenses by making your needs more visible.
  • Locate and safely store important documents.
  • Provide proof of pre-move condition of belongings; incorporate pictures for this task.

Use Quality Packing Materials

Sometimes you can get durable boxes for free from local grocery and department stores, but that doesn’t negate the importance of quality packing materials. Using the right size boxes and proper padding makes packing a cinch and much safer. Here are some basic materials you will need:

  • Boxes in a variety of sizes
  • Shipping tape
  • Masking tape
  • Permanent markers
  • Bubble wrap
  • Packing paper
  • Old blankets
  • Hand truck or dolly

Do Your Research

Before you begin packing, take some time to research proper packing procedures. For example, when packing stemware, you have to fill the glass with packing paper, wrap the outside of the glass with bubble wrap, and place the glass upside down into a padded box. Many other items require a careful approach including china, lamps, mirrors, and other fragile or oddly shaped items.

Pack Room by Room

The best way to stay organized when packing is to take the task one room at a time. Like items are already grouped together, and you can easily stay on top of what’s been accomplished. Packing room by room also makes unpacking much easier—just make sure to label your boxes appropriately.

Label Boxes Precisely

Few things are worse than arriving at your new home with a ton of unlabeled boxes! At the very least, each box should have a label indicating the room the box goes in, like the kitchen, living room, and bedroom. However, you can get as detailed and creative as you like. For example, you can:

  • Create a coding system using colored duct tape, markers, or stickers.
  • Label all sides of your boxes for easy spotting.
  • Coordinate with your moving inventory with a numbering system.

Consider Hiring Professionals

Does all this sound like a bit too much to handle? If your budget and timetable allow you can always hire professional movers and packers. Just make sure that you do your research by comparing local moving companies and taking note of important details like years of experience, professional affiliations, licensure, and pricing.

Could you use some help with your next move?

If you want to hire expert movers and packers that can help with your next local or long-distance relocation, contact A-1 Fargo Van & Storage today for a free cost estimate. We offer full-service packing solutions that are fast, affordable, and guaranteed to protect your valuables each step of the way.