Pack Smart, Not Hard: Moving Tips for Your First Move

Whether you’re packing up for college or heading to your first apartment, moving can be a daunting task. There are so many factors to consider, from vetting moving companies to day-of planning, that it can be a whirlwind trying to determine what to do first. Luckily, we here at ClickandStor™ are here to help.

We’ll discuss how to create an inventory of all your items. Then, we’ll help you choose a moving company. We’ll give you some useful tips about packing to make the process as simple as possible. Finally, we’ll talk about the importance of getting the right boxes and labeling them as clearly as possible. 

Check out the article below for more tips on how to pack smart and not hard. 

Create An Inventory of Everything You Have

It is wise to clean your home as a prerequisite to this activity. That way, you’ll come across items you might have forgotten about and things you can partition appropriately. After you’ve got close to everything, start making an inventory of what you have and how often you use it. Place items in “passive” and “active” boxes. “Passive” boxes contain things that are out of sight unless you need them. This could be exercising equipment, fixtures, oils, etc. “Active” boxes contain items that you use daily. This will help you unpack more efficiently. 

Divide these items into essential items and non-essential items. If an item is non-essential, put it in storage. You can look up the best options on ClickandStor™ Online Rental Suite by making reservations and checking out storage facilities in your area. 

Choose the Right Movers

There are a lot of moving companies on the market. Which should you choose? The answer is simple. Find out who has the best reputation and who’s been in business the longest. Check the company’s website. Do they have testimonials? Check the Better Business Bureau’s website (or BBB) to get more information. 

People with negative reviews won’t show up on the company’s website, but they will show up on their BBB page. Furthermore, BBB can tell you if the business is legitimate or not. Finally, check Yelp reviews. These will help narrow down your choice. 

After you’ve chosen the one with the requisite reviews, your journey doesn’t stop there. Instead, check out their contract. Make sure you take some time to pour over it and don’t let them pressure you to sign it. That’s a tactic to hide contractual information that you would want to avoid being bound to, so be wary of people who want you to sign contracts quickly. 

Be bold and ask questions. Often, contracts are in the form of “legalese,” making it exceptionally difficult to read unless you have some knowledge of housing laws. Some of them are easier, but it helps to prepare, educate yourself, and weigh your options. 

Use the Right Boxes

Packaging is very important. The kind of packaging you use matters since it can make—and in some cases break—your item’s condition. So, how do you choose appropriately? Smaller boxes are often used for larger objects if possible. This is also perfect for categorization since you can be sure of where your valuables are by box size. Furthermore, many smaller items can be put in large boxes so you can save space in the moving truck. You can even use wardrobe boxes for your clothes so that they don’t wrinkle during the move and stay safe from tears and frayed edges. 

Label Clearly

Labeling your boxes clearly is the key to organizing your move effectively. You can organize them by room or theme. If you want your future apartment/house to look as close to your home as possible, then partitioning your boxes by room is ideal. After that, you can pack it into the moving truck in a logical way. 

Wrap Your Furniture

You want to protect your furniture as much as possible, so wrapping it and other large objects up is key to avoiding bruising, tears, and rips when going to your destination. Who wants to come home to a couch that’s barely in shape when you finally get to your new place? You can avoid this completely by wrapping your furniture tightly. 

If you’re going to move, it’s important to consider all these things. Failure to do so can make or break your move, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be in tip-top shape. Use the rental tool ClickandStor™ Online Rental Suite for more information about making self storage reservations and make searching for facilities a breeze.