Top tips for a stress-free move
Moving into a new house or apartment can seem like a daunting task. You’ve probably accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. The idea of packing everything up can be anough to overwhelm anyone. But if you follow these top moving tips, you can make your next move easy and stress-free.
Timing is everything.
In real estate, you might not always have control over your timeline. But if you have any choice when it comes to your move, you should choose to move in the spring. The days are longer and the temperature is warmer, but it’s also not as hot as a summer move.
Moving to a new house in the summer can be a sweaty chore, especially if you don’t have air conditioning installed yet. And moving in the winter can be dangerouos – with a layer of ice coating the ground and a limited amount of daylight to work with. Try to plan for a moving date with a forecast of sunny skies and no rain.
Pack for success.
Half of the moving struggle is packing. Before things get moving, you need to make sure all your items are packed up and ready to go.
Pack by room
The best way to pack is to tackle one room at a time. It’s a natural way to organize your belongings, and it will help keep everything together wheen you unpack later. Once you organize by room, then you can organize by item. Pack all your dishes together, or all your linens together. Don’t spread the same types of items across multiple boxes if you can help it.
Use labels.
Remember to label your boxes clearly! When your boxes are all labeled with the room i which they belong and the items that they contain, unpacking will be so much easier.
Handle with care.
Make sure that your fragile items are properly protected for the move. Wrap your delicate items with unprinted paper – newspaper is convenient, but the newsprint can leave stains behind. It’s also a good idea to put towels or other soft materials on the bottom of boxes containing delicate items.
Get the right box.
Boxes and containers designed specifically for moving can make the whole process easier. Wardrobe boxes can help you easily transport hanging clothing, and mirror boxes can help protect your mirrors. Boxes with handles are the best for moving – giving the movers something to hold onto.
Get the right vehicle for the job.
If you have a car, it probably can’t fit everything you own. It probably can’t even fit your couch. When you move, you will most likely need a bigger vehicle to help you do it.
Penske offers truck rentals from cargo vans all the way up to 26-foot trucks. Which is right for you?
If you are moving from a small apartment or a studio, try a high roof cargo van, which has the capacity of about 1 room, or a 12-foot truck, which has the capacity of 2.
If you are moving from a bigger apartment or a standard sized house, opt for a 16-foot truck, which has the capacity of 2-3 rooms, or a 22-foot truck, which has the capacity of 3-5.
Are you making a really big move, with even more cargo? The 26-foot truck has the capacity of 5-7 rooms.
Hiring movers.
Sometimes you can’t do it all on your own. If you are facing a massive move, it might be time to get help from the professionals. Hiring a moving company will give you some peace of mind and make sure your move is as stress-free and seamless as possible.