Moving Tips and Packing Tips

Looking for moving and packing advice from the experts? Here are some tips and tricks to help you save money, stay organized, protect your belongings, and improve your moving experience.

Whether you are planning a local move, long-distance move, residential move, commercial move, or office relocation, a little preparation before moving day can make the process much easier.

Moving Tips

Moving day can feel stressful, but planning ahead helps reduce delays, confusion, and last-minute problems. Use these moving tips to prepare your home, family, schedule, and belongings before the movers arrive.

• Make your reservations for movers two to four weeks before your move day.
• For large appliances, check your owner’s manuals to see if there are special instructions for moving.
• Don’t try to get rid of your children’s favorite things before the move, even if it makes packing easier. Kids sometimes have a hard time dealing with the change of the move itself.
• By law, a moving company can’t transport hazardous materials such as gasoline, bottled gases, other flammables, ammunition, and explosives.
• Pack a box of essential items that you will need immediately after the move and make sure it’s the last thing added to the truck.
• Clean out closets, the attic, and the basement as soon as you decide it’s time to move.
• Make a “survival closet” of things for the last cleanup before you move out, such as a broom, dust cloth, dust pan, and mop.
• Remember to get snacks and water for move day.
• Schedule disconnect times for about a week before your move day. You don’t want to pay for cable, phone, or utilities when you are no longer there.
• Cancel newspapers, cable, pest control, cleaning help, and lawn services about a week before the move.
• Mail in your change of address forms about a week before your move date.
• Clean your stove before you move out.
• The day before your move, defrost the fridge.
• Make sure to get enough cash to get you through move day.
• Take time to say goodbye to friends and neighbors before your busy move day.
• If you are depending on friends and family to help you move, have a backup plan if they don’t show.

Packing Tips

Packing correctly helps protect your belongings and makes unloading easier at your new home, apartment, office, or business location. Use strong boxes, label everything clearly, and pack heavy items carefully.

• Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.
• Use wardrobe boxes to make closets easier to pack. Clothes in drawers can be placed in suitcases.
• Use only small boxes for books. They get very heavy, very fast.
• Never use printed newsprint to wrap fine china.
• Always stack dishes upwards when packing.
• Pack important and sentimental documents separately so they are easy to access, including children’s health records, passports, family records, insurance information, and photo albums.
• Remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the box.
• Don’t pack with food or supermarket boxes. You never know what little critter is hiding, or if the box will be strong enough to support your possessions.
• Don’t use used boxes if you do not know whether they are strong enough to support your belongings.
• Never use duct tape. Use packing tape.
• Clearly label all boxes on the top and side.
• As you take apart furniture and other items, make sure to tape all parts to the main base.
• Try to pack electronic equipment, like stereos and small electronics, in their original boxes. Otherwise, use bubble wrap when packing these items.
• Start packing items you will not need ahead of time.
• Always pack and unpack breakables over a padded surface.
• Always tape boxes. Don’t interlock the tops.
• Don’t use boxes without tops. No tops make it impossible to stack properly in the truck.
• Use custom-designed boxes when packing fine china and clothing.

Moving Day Checklist

What to Do Before the Movers Arrive

Before the moving crew arrives, make sure walkways are clear, boxes are labeled, fragile items are marked, and important documents are kept with you. If you live in an apartment, condo, office building, or shared property, confirm elevator access, parking, and any building rules before moving day.

• Confirm your moving date and arrival window.
• Label boxes by room and priority.
• Separate valuables, medications, documents, and personal items.
• Clear hallways, stairs, driveways, and loading areas.
• Keep pets and children in a safe area during loading.
• Take photos of electronics before unplugging cables.
• Confirm the destination address and contact information.

Tips for Saving Money on Your Move

Good planning can help you keep moving costs under control. The more organized you are before moving day, the more efficient the move can be.

• Declutter before you pack so you are not paying to move items you no longer need.
• Book your movers early, especially during busy moving seasons.
• Pack non-fragile items yourself if you are comfortable doing so.
• Disassemble simple furniture before moving day if possible.
• Keep boxes organized by room so unloading is faster.
• Ask your moving company about the best way to prepare large or specialty items.

Need Help With Your Next Move?

Major Moving provides local, long-distance, residential, and commercial moving services for customers in Warrenton, Haymarket, Bristow, Gainesville, Leesburg, Ashburn, Northern Virginia, Washington DC metro, Maryland, Upper Marlboro, and nearby DMV communities.

For help with your next move, contact Major Moving today!

Call us Today! (703) 398-3592 or email us at contact@majormovingdmv.com

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving and Packing

How early should I book movers?

You should try to book movers two to four weeks before your move day. During busy seasons, booking earlier is better.

What items can’t movers transport?

Moving companies generally cannot transport hazardous materials such as gasoline, bottled gases, flammables, ammunition, and explosives.

What should I pack last before moving day?

Pack an essentials box with items you will need right away after the move. This box should be loaded last so it is easy to access.

How should I label moving boxes?

Label boxes clearly on the top and side with the room name and a short description of the contents. Mark fragile boxes clearly.

What is the best way to pack heavy items?

Use smaller boxes for heavy items such as books, tools, or dense household items. Heavy items in large boxes can be difficult and unsafe to carry.