Tips for packing by professional movers

Moving into a new place is always an exciting time! But efficiently packing up everything you own to be moved safely to your new home can be overwhelming. You likely have a limited budget for furniture movers, a tight deadline, and too much stuff! A successful moving day can take the planning and strategic mindset of a four-star general. Packing requires the utmost attention to detail, and arranging for help with any aspect of the move can add to the challenge. As a professional in the moving industry, being involved in hundreds of moves, I can tell you the most important part of the moving process is how you prepare and when you start. Packing is definitely the most crucial step of any local move, so the main advice local movers would give you is to hire packers and movers to help you. But if you wish to perform it on your own, you will have to follow certain steps in order to have a smooth and seamless relocation process. Make sure all your items are packed and ready to go by the time the local movers arrive at your doorstep so they can efficiently load up the moving truck. If you’re overwhelmed at the prospect of packing up all your belongings, follow these packing tips or opt for our convenient packing services and we will take that task off your hands so you can focus on other important matters of the move. Our professional packers and movers use premium packing materials to ensure your items are safely packed and secure. Your move should be only exciting, not stressful and we talked to local movers that were happy to assist by providing you tips that will help you pack like professional packers and movers. So let’s start from the beginning!

Moving into a new place is always an exciting time! But efficiently packing up everything you own to be moved safely to your new home can be overwhelming. You likely have a limited budget for furniture movers, a tight deadline, and too much stuff! A successful moving day can take the planning and strategic mindset of a four-star general. Packing requires the utmost attention to detail, and arranging for help with any aspect of the move can add to the challenge. As a professional in the moving industry, being involved in hundreds of moves, I can tell you the most important part of the moving process is how you prepare and when you start. Packing is definitely the most crucial step of any local move, so the main advice local movers would give you is to hire packers and movers to help you. But if you wish to perform it on your own, you will have to follow certain steps in order to have a smooth and seamless relocation process. Make sure all your items are packed and ready to go by the time the local movers arrive at your doorstep so they can efficiently load up the moving truck. If you’re overwhelmed at the prospect of packing up all your belongings, follow these packing tips or opt for our convenient packing services and we will take that task off your hands so you can focus on other important matters of the move. Our professional packers and movers use premium packing materials to ensure your items are safely packed and secure. Your move should be only exciting, not stressful and we talked to local movers that were happy to assist by providing you tips that will help you pack like professional packers and movers. So let’s start from the beginning!

Start packing on time

Cardboard moving boxes in new home.

The first question you should ask yourself- When should I start packing for my move? According to budget movers, you should start packing for your move at least 3 weeks before your anticipated move date. And the actual moving preparation process should start at least 6-8 weeks before your move. The earlier you start the packing process, the easier it will be when your move date approaches. When packing for your move, you should first decide what’s going to be moved by you or your packers and movers. There’s no point in moving anything you don’t need or could be donated or thrown away. After acquiring the right packing materials you should pack all your non-essential items room by room, it will be easier both for you and your local movers. Fragile items should be wrapped and protected with packing paper and dish pack boxes. Also, make sure you pack your boxes according to the weight of the goods. Heavy items go in smaller boxes and lighter items into larger boxes. Below we will explain more about the whole process in detail.

Hire professional packers and movers

Hire packers and professional movers

The most important advice we can give you is to hire professional packers and movers, and to do it on time! If you want a full-service move where you don’t have to do much, definitely hire the furniture movers to pack your goods. If you’ve hired the right professional packers and movers, they will know how to safely and quickly pack every item you have. But, many furniture movers charge their normal rates for packing services, which could be as much as $100-$120 per hour for 2 people. If saving money is important, pack yourself and make it as easy as possible for the local movers to just come in, wrap your furniture load your boxes, and go. If you’re packing yourself, the packers and movers will usually not be responsible for any damage that may occur inside the boxes. All local movers have their processes and ways of doing things, but you should look for the budget movers that offers a no-nonsense approach and makes the entire process easier for you— so you can focus on everything else that needs to be done before, during, and after your local move.

You should be sure your local movers clearly understand all your key move details, like move dates, number of bedrooms, and origin and destination addresses, that might be needed for your local movers to determine your local moving quote.

Don’t take everything with you

All local movers would tell you the same- declutter, declutter, declutter! That way you will get rid of the unnecessary stuff and save money on local movers. Take this time to start sorting items that can be packed up without interfering with your normal day to day routine. Start with seasonal items, keepsakes, decor, and things stored away in closets, attics, or basements. Walk through your home, room by room, and look through every drawer and shelf to separate what to take to your new home from what you can live without. Begin the purging process of the items you no longer need by hosting a yard sale, posting them online for sale or giveaway, or donating them to a local charity. Professional movers are often astonished at how many things people want to be packed but don’t really need. These include old knick-knacks, out of date furniture, and half-empty bottles of shampoo or spices. Instead, take inventory of everything you own and decide what you really need and what’s just taking up space. Instead of packing that bin of Beanie Babies or box of turtlenecks, hold a yard sale and use the profits for moving expenses. Or donate gently used castoffs to friends or charities.

Bonus tip for valuable items: Make sure to sort out your more delicate or valuable items. You should consider keeping important paperwork, legal documents, or high-valued items close to you during the move. This will ensure all your delicate possessions are protected, important items are not lost, and expensive items remain secure.

Get the right packing supplies

As soon as you decide to move, start gathering moving supplies and packing materials. If you are hiring local packers and movers for the packing process too, no need to worry- local movers will bring everything needed. But if you are packing without budget movers, invest in proper safety supplies like bubble wrap and specialty containers to keep your valued items safe. Save money on moving costs by asking friends and family for any boxes or old newspapers they may have lying around. You can’t simply throw all your stuff into trash bags or onto a truck and expect it to arrive in one piece. The right supplies will ensure everything survives the move. You can order supplies online or at home-improvement stores. 

You’ll need: sturdy boxes or containers of various sizes; quality packing tape (2″ wide, with a dispenser or tape gun); protective packing paper or newspaper – it’s actually less expensive & more versatile than bubble wrap; a thick waterproof marker for labeling boxes;  moving blankets padded paper, or shrink-wrap if you’re packing furniture; packing tape; specialty container; large trash bags; makers to label boxes clearly. Of course, even if you are packing without professional packers and movers you can buy all the packing supplies from your chosen local movers.

Pack moving boxes efficiently

When you start packing up your house, make sure to maximize your moving efforts by never over-packing your boxes. Never pack a moving box with anything over 50lbs – you’ll thank yourself on moving day! Professional local movers won’t move boxes that feel top-heavy, unbalanced, or loosely packed, so pack appropriately. If you are packing without professional packers and movers put heavier objects in small boxes and lighter objects in large boxes. Make sure to pack heavier objects at the bottom to avoid a top-heavy box that’s awkward to carry. Also, avoid leaving space in a box to prevent breaking or damaging items inside. Stuff soft materials like T-shirts, towels, newspapers, or pillows in boxes with space. If the box rattles, a pro furniture movers will ask you to repack it before they load it. Also, make sure to use proper care with bubble wrap and cloth to protect items that could get scratched. Use large plastic trash bags to transport soft items like linens, bedding, cushions, or clothing.

Bonus packing tip: If you are packing without local packers and movers, make use of unused suitcases, backpacks, and other personal bags to pack other items. This is an effective way to move personal items, important documents, and some clothes for the first few days in your new home, without using your limited moving boxes.

male professional movers carrying boxes up staircase

Label moving boxes clearly

According to furniture movers, this is a major timesaver and stress-prevention measure. Professional movers suggest packing, labeling, and loading your moving boxes by individual rooms. When you get to your new home, you can bring the boxes right to the appropriate room. This not only makes the moving day less stressful, but it also simplifies unpacking and settling in as well. When labeling your moving boxes use a large felt tip marker and clear descriptions of where the items in the box should go in your new home. Chances are you will have more than one bedroom, and possibly multiple bathrooms – keep your labels clear and specific. If items are fragile, make sure to label the box clearly on multiple sides to ensure it is handled properly by packers and movers. Also, to make your first night in your new home easier, label boxes that have items in them that you will need when you first get to your new home.

Pack essential bag

pack essential bag

While you might feel relieved when you’ve unloaded all your belongings, remember that you still have the overwhelming task of unpacking as well. We don’t suggest unpacking all your moving boxes in one day, that’s impossible without professional packers and movers. Reign in the chaos and make sure you pack that essentials bag to make the first week after your move easier. It’s also wise to have an essential clothing bag that has a few outfits that you can wear throughout the moving process. The last thing you need to be doing is digging through all your boxes to find your favorite set of clothes. However, remember to label the box or bag beforehand properly, so professional budget movers know it is important and it doesn’t get mixed in with the rest of your stuff.

Before loading everything into a moving truck, gather essentials that can sustain you if things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Take snacks, water, a change of clothes, medications, kids’ toys, pet supplies (though ideally, you’d arrange for pets to stay with a friend or kennel on moving day), and anything else that you might need. Things you use daily should be packed separately in a suitcase or duffel bag so they’re handy when you need them. These items include some clothes for a few days, toiletries, electronics, charging cables, medications, and so on. Once all your belongings are unloaded at your new home, you don’t want to spend time rummaging through all the boxes trying to find your toothbrush or a towel. With this at your side, you’ll be able to rough it for a night if the moving truck gets delayed.

Take a picture before you unplug your electronics

Local movers prefer that you unplug electronics before they’ll touch them, and they don’t hook them up after unloading them. To avoid frustration, take a picture of the back of your TV, DVR, and game console before you unplug. When packing home electronics make sure to keep any cords, wires, and cables organized to make setting them up in your new home easier. To limit any static electricity and ensure they are cool enough to move without internal damage, unplug all electronic devices at least 24 hours before packers and movers moving them. When you move into your new home, you will have a better idea of how to hook them back up.

To conclude, if you are gearing up to move into your new home, we have gathered these tips on how to pack like professional packers and movers from our experts here at Greenwood Village Movers! So, to keep you from stressing on the big day, follow these tips and tricks from our local movers to get packed up, loaded in, and on your way. Greenwood Village Movers has been providing outstanding residential and commercial moving services for years now. Our excellent care and commitment to customer service are what have made us stand out from all the rest. All of our professional packers and movers participate in in-depth training on consumer education and new moving technologies, while upholding all moving industry guidelines. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer and request a quote from our local movers.