tips for packing up your house (moving company, truck, shipping, moved)

[bgmv90]

Any tips on what to do or not to do when packing up your house for a long distance move. For example, do you have boxes in all of the rooms of the house? Or do you put all boxes in one room and empty out the other rooms? What things do you leave til last besides the obvious? Never packed up a whole house before, not looking forward to it. Trying to make it the easiest possible. I want to make the actual moving (loading boxes into truck) day the fastest and most efficient way possible. Got a long drive ahead, so I don't want to spend too much time loading the truck up. Any tips would be great. Thanks.

[Palenaka]

Good luck on your move bgmv90!
Here's what I am doing for my move:
All boxes are going into my dining room as they are filled. We mark one side and the top of the box with a list of what's inside. It is easier for me to pack a room as it gets emptied.
I am using a touch it once policy and it has really helped speed things up. I touch it once to pack it, donate it or throw it away. At the end of the day, all trash goes out and the to donate items are placed in my car trunk.
To save money, I am using a lot of apple boxes from the grocery store as they are strong and stack well.
I am using my hall closet to store the packed items I will need on my arrival day since the truck won't be unloaded until the following day. Items such as the aerobed, sheets, a box of kitchen items (paper plates, plastic ware, drinking cups.) I am also storing my fragile boxes of artwork here so I can load them into my car and not the truck.

[Va-Cat]

I can't count the number of times we have packed up and moved long distance over the last 20 years. Here are a few tips for you:

Pack up one room at a time starting at the back of the house and moving toward the door. Make sure that you label the boxes clearly as to the contents and where they will be going at your new location. As Palenaka said, stage the boxes in one room as they are filled and sealed. Here are a few things to make sure ARE accessible through your moving day:

soap
shampoo
towel
toilet paper
paper towels
zip lock bags (great for the last minute little stuff)
mop
vacuum
cleaning supplies

I also always label my boxes for where they are going on the truck too. (i.e. breakables, linens and light boxes are marked "top" while heavy boxes are marked "bottom") This makes it easier when loading because you will know what boxes to grab first. Also make sure to have a good supply of strong rope to tie down your load. The last thing you will want to hear is everything crashing back there if you have to break suddenly while you are on the road.

Good luck & good move!

[bgmv90]

Thanks for the tips. Is there such a thing as too early to start packing?

[Va-Cat]

Originally Posted by bgmv90

Thanks for the tips. Is there such a thing as too early to start packing?

In a sense yes. You don't want to pack anything that you will need before you move so you could end up opening and shutting boxes if you pack up too early.

[Mike_]

What do you think about packing stuff in plastic totes? I have about 20 of them already. Was thinking of using them then what ever is left the movers will use their cardboard boxes. I am not sure how the movers will feel about the totes. I talked to the moving contractor and they said no problem, suggested we tape the totes closed though.

[Va-Cat]

Originally Posted by Mike_

What do you think about packing stuff in plastic totes? I have about 20 of them already. Was thinking of using them then what ever is left the movers will use their cardboard boxes. I am not sure how the movers will feel about the totes. I talked to the moving contractor and they said no problem, suggested we tape the totes closed though.

Totes are a wonderful way to move if you don't have too much stuff. For a house our size...it wouldn't be cost effective to use all totes. We do use them for the extreme breakables and electronics. Much sturdier than packing boxes and identifies what the movers have to be extra careful with. Make sure to double wrap them with packing tape to keep the tops from popping & also remember to label them.

[bongo]

Duct tape works well on totes. Up here in Alaska duct tape is our state emblem for shipping, packing, everything!

[Va-Cat]

Originally Posted by bongo

Duct tape works well on totes. Up here in Alaska duct tape is our state emblem for shipping, packing, everything!

Ya gotta love duct tape but its so hard to get back off again! Whatever it touches is sticky forever!

[Alaskan Mutt]

Originally Posted by Mike_

What do you think about packing stuff in plastic totes? I have about 20 of them already. Was thinking of using them then what ever is left the movers will use their cardboard boxes. I am not sure how the movers will feel about the totes. I talked to the moving contractor and they said no problem, suggested we tape the totes closed though.

Something to keep in mind. Anything you pack will not be covered by the moving companies insurance should it become damaged during the move. If using a moving company I would be sure to let them pack things such as dishes or anything that is fragil. I would also be sure the moving companies insurance would cover anything they packed in boxes or totes you provided.

One other thing to keep in mind. Any boxes you pack will somehow be noted on the manifest that you packed them. Often you will see "PBO" (Packed By Owner) on the manifest by the boxes you packed. Moving companies are not above marking some of the boxes they packed as "PBO". A "reputable" national mover pulled this on me once. Nothing I packed was damaged. Several things the movers packed sustained damage. When I went to file the claim, they produced a manifest that indicated I had packed some of the damaged boxes. Be sure the manifest is accurate.