Moving Tips

Gather boxes in all sizes from friends, neighbors, and stores. (You can also purchase new moving boxes)

Collect cushioning material such as bubble wrap, foam pellets, furniture pads, old blankets, plastic bags, tissue paper, newspapers, and small towels to use as padding inside boxes.

Create a “portable packing kit” with marking pens, a tape measure, packing tape, twine, stickers and scissors. Carry it with you as you pack up items around your home or office.

Reinforce the bottom of boxes with extra tape for added strength.

Label each box with the name of the room in your new home where it should be placed.

List the contents of the box on the side of it.

Label boxes containing fragile items with large red lettering

Place china in plastic bags and stack plates upright on their sides, not flat.

Pack your TV, stereo, and computer in their original boxes whenever possible.

Keep boxes to 50 pounds or less.

Pack heavy items into their own smaller boxes and place lighter items together into larger boxes. (Don’t pack all your books into one box!)

Don’t move flammable, combustible, corrosive, or explosive items such as paint, gasoline and ammunition.

To estimate how many boxes you need you can follow one simple rule. Below is a table for the first 1000 pounds.

For every extra 2000 pounds you have to add

2 small boxes

3 medium to large boxes

2 picture/mirror boxes

1 wardrobe box

2 roles of tape

5 pounds of paper

An average household is estimated on about 14.000 to 16.000 pounds

pounds

Small boxes

Medium/Large boxes

Picture/Mirror boxes

Wardrobe boxes

Tape

Paper

1000

3

5

1

1

5

5 pounds

Sort through your belongings to reduce the number of things you move

Have a garage sale or donate items you no longer need to charity.

Decide whether to move yourself or hire professionals. Make reservations with a moving company or truck rental company. (Tip: Call three companies for estimates to compare)

Gather packing supplies: boxes, packing material, tape, felt markers, and scissors.

If you’re moving a long distance, make travel arrangements with the airline, hotel and rental car agency. If you’re driving to your new home, get maps and plan your route.

Save all moving receipts, because some moving expenses may be tax deductible. Check the current tax code for requirements.

Place your legal, medical, financial, and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.

Purchase insurance coverage for valuables to be moved.

Make travel arrangements for your pets

If you’re driving, get your car tuned up.

Get medical records from your doctors, dentist, optometrist and veterinarian.

Back up important computer files to floppy disk.

Contact your utility companies (gas, electric, water, cable, trash collector, and local phone service providers) and notify them of your move.

Sign up for services at your new address.

Call friends and family and recruit help for the moving day if necessary.

Arrange to close or transfer your bank account, if appropriate. Pick up items from safety deposit box.

Pick up items from the cleaners, repair shops, or friends.

Pack a survival kit of clothes, medicines, special foods, and so on to carry you trough the day after arrival in your new home.

Finish packing all boxes minus what you’ll need on your moving date.

Inform the post office of your upcoming move

Lay down old sheets in the entry and hallways to protect floor coverings.

Remove hanging fixtures you’re taking with.

Carry with you

The keys to your new home.

Map of new town and directions to your house.

The telephone number of the moving company.

Cash or traveler’s checks.

Documentation related to the sale of your home.

Your insurance policies and agent’s phone number.

Your current address book or personal planner.

Prescription and non-prescription medicines.

Enough clothing to get by if the movers are late.

Any important personal records and documents.