1. Get rid of everything:
Packing all your possessions into boxes, bags, and more can be overwhelming. Make it a little bit easier on yourself by cutting back on clutter as much as possible. Before you pack a single box, do a merciless purge of unused or unnecessary items. You’ll have less to pack, less to move, and less to unpack—and you’ll start life in your new space with a clean slate.
2. Make a moving folder:
Start collecting new addresses, rental or purchase papers, moving contracts, and more in one folder. Consider a hard copy, rather than a digital one, in case computer or phone batteries die during the move.
3. Pack as far in advance as possible:
Ideally, you’ll know about a move (even if you’re not sure of the final destination) weeks or even months in advance. Start by packing off-season items and the items you won’t miss. If you’re moving in summer, you can pack winter coats in advance—and likely books and other once-in-a-while items. When it’s finally time to move, many items will already be ready to go, giving you less to stress about.
4. Book early:
If you’re hiring moving services, renting supplies, or hiring professionals such as painters or cleaners to work on the house, book early. Waiting to do so could mean paying a higher price, or not being able to get a truck or movers at all, particularly if it’s peak moving season.
5. Schedule utilities for your new place:
Once the dates are finalized, contact your utility providers to schedule service at your new home. You don’t want to arrive there, tired from the move, only to find that the electricity, water, or heat is off. Schedule it ahead of time, and keep records of your requests in your moving folder. At the same time, request service stops for your move-out date at your current home.
6. Use the right size boxes:
When you pack books for moving, pack them or other heavy items in small boxes; light items, like linens and pillows, can be packed in bigger ones. (Large boxes packed with heavy items are a common complaint of professional movers. They not only make the job harder but also have a better chance of breaking.)
7. Put heavier items on the bottoms of boxes, lighter items on top:
And if you’re loading the truck yourself, pack your heaviest boxes first, toward the front of the truck, for balance.
8. Don’t leave empty spaces in the boxes:
Fill in gaps with clothing, towels, or packing paper. Movers often won’t move boxes that feel loosely packed or unbalanced.
9. Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box:
It will make your packing quicker and your unpacking a lot easier, too.
10. Label each box with the room it’s destined for and a description of its contents:
This will help you and your movers know where every box belongs in your new place. Numbering each box and keeping an inventory list in a small notebook is a good way to keep track of what you’ve packed―and to make sure you still have everything when you unpack.
Moving can be more work than you expected, but hopefully these moving and packing tips will help make the process more enjoyable. And if you are looking to buy or sell in Colorado, reach out to us today!
