Packing for a move can be one of the most stressful parts of the entire process, but it does not have to be! At Gardner Moving, your first choice for movers in Pittsburgh, we recommend that you begin by gathering all the moving supplies you need and then go systematically from room to room until you complete your packing. We have put together a moving guide to help you with your packing to avoid common stresses and obstacles.
The number one rule for packing is to stay organized. The last thing you want to do is have piles of boxes with mismatched items that all belong in different rooms when you begin to unpack. It is recommended that you organize things based on their room use, common function, or other factors to make them easier to keep track of and easier to unpack. Follow these packing guidelines for best results:
Pack boxes by starting with a layer of padding, such as bubble wrap, newspaper, towels, or blankets. Then place the heaviest items in the box first.
Be sure to label each box by its contents and by the room it belongs in.
Create a box of essentials. This box should include snacks, drinks, screwdrivers, hammers, a change of clothes, plastic utensils and cups, paper plates, toothbrushes, as well as any medications and a first aid kit.
Consider downsizing before you start packing. Go through your items and get rid of anything you don’t need. This will help you avoid packing and moving clutter to your new place.
Make sure your boxes are filled to the top so they can be stacked without being crushed. Place paper or bubble wrap in the box to fill it to the top.
Before you can begin packing, you will need to get all your moving supplies together. We’ve put together a checklist for what you will need to help make your move smoother:
This will help protect your fragile items during your move and can also be used to fill boxes to the top to keep them from being crushed. Bubble wrap can be purchased at most office supply or department stores.
If you have a friend or family member who moved recently, you can ask them if they have any extra boxes lying around. Boxes can also be purchased at most stores, such as Walmart. When purchasing boxes, make sure to get an assortment of sizes to ensure you have boxes that will suit a variety of items.
You will likely have plenty of boxes to carry, and this can become exhausting. Rather than tiring yourself out, risking dropping or damaging your boxes, consider renting a dolly to make carrying boxes safer and easier.
Other moving supplies that may come in handy include:
To help organize your items, it can be helpful to have an inventory list of the items you plan to take with you. You will also want to purchase a folder to keep all of the important documents you may need for the move so they can remain organized.
Reduce the stress of the move by packing a bag that has items such as extra clothes, children’s toys, pet supplies, medications, etc., to help keep everyone comfortable throughout the course of the move.
If you’ve never moved before, or maybe it has just been a while since your last move, you may have some questions about packing your items. Below we have gathered some of the most common packing questions we’ve been asked and have provided our tips and tricks to help you stay organized and stress-free!
We recommend that you go room to room and organize your belongings into three different categories. Sort them into piles of items you want to keep, donate, and throw away. This will help you only pack what you actually need and creates a more manageable load of items to deal with.
The packing supplies we recommend everyone use are tape, boxes, rope to secure any loose items, and blankets or towels for padding. A moving truck or trailer is also a must-have.
A few weeks before your move, look at places such as Facebook marketplace for people who have moved recently and are giving away their extra supplies. You can also check with local stores such as Walmart, Rite Aid, liquor stores, and more for free boxes that you can use for your move.
You will want to begin packing the box by layering the bottom with paper or packing peanuts for padding. Wrap each of your plates with bubble wrap and stand each dish up in the box to keep them secure. Make sure you clearly label the box as fragile.
Start with the heaviest items first, such as furniture and appliances. Secure these items with fasteners to prevent them from sliding around during transport. Add in the bulkier items and then fill in the remaining space with your boxes. Any fragile items or electronics should be placed in a personal vehicle to keep them safe from damage.
In some cases, you may need to store some of your items over the course of your move. At Gardner Moving, we offer safe and secure self-storage through our storage company, Secure Storage Inc. we have both non-climate and climate-controlled self-stage Pittsburgh facilities to meet the needs of our customers.
Whether you are just moving down the street or across Pittsburgh, our experienced team of movers can help make your moving experience easier. Let us handle the details of your move and take some of the burdens of moving off of your shoulders. We understand how overwhelming moving can be, so we are here to help keep your items safe and make your transition to your new home smooth and enjoyable!
Contact us today to learn more!
