Conquer Your Move: When to Start Packing for a Smooth Transition

Moving to a dream home is an exciting adventure, but the packing process can often turn into a stressful nightmare. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by transporting everything you own to a new location.

But by taking a proactive approach, you can enjoy a stress-free move to your new house.

Packing for a Move Timeline

The golden rule for moving is to start packing early. The sooner you begin, the more time you have to declutter, organize, and pack your belongings.

The ideal timeline to pack and move can vary based on the size of your home and the amount of items you are moving. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, let’s go over a general guideline for when to start packing.

8-12 Weeks Before

Before you begin packing, you’ll want to consider decluttering your house. Donating or selling unwanted items can make it easier to move only your essential items. Here is a checklist to help:

Declutter and Donate: This is the perfect opportunity to embark on a Marie Kondo-inspired journey and let go of items that no longer spark joy. You may want to get rid of out-of-season clothes, books you’ve already read, and kitchen appliances that have gathered dust. You could donate these items or hold a garage sale.
Gather Packing Supplies: Buy packing supplies like moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper. Consider using storage bins for a more sustainable option. You may also want to contact your moving company to see if it has moving blankets or moving kits to help with the moving process.
Create a Packing Plan: Divide your belongings into categories like clothing, book collection, or kitchenware. Assign each category a packing deadline based on its urgency and how often you use it. Creating a packing plan will help you stay organized and avoid last-minute scrambling.

4-6 Weeks Before

Once you’ve gathered your packing materials and created a plan, it’s time to start packing. Here is what you should start packing first:

Pack Non-Essential Items: Pack items you rarely use. Stuff like off-season clothing, home decor, and holiday decorations are often packed first. Since you won’t need these items in the final weeks before your move, it will make the final packing phase easier.
Pack Fragile Items: Wrap your fine china, artwork, and electronics in layers of bubble wrap and packing paper for extra protection. Label these boxes as “fragile” and inform your movers of their special contents to ensure careful handling.
Label All Packed Boxes: Label boxes with its contents and destination room. Labels will save you countless hours and frustration when unpacking at your new home.
Know What Not to Pack: It might be tempting to pack everything and deal with it later. But you may want certain items with you or arrange for secure storage elsewhere. These can include perishable food, flammable liquids, and important documents.

1-3 Weeks Before

The week before the move can often be the most overwhelming part of the moving process. But there are only a few more tasks left to pack and move.

Pack Essential Items: Pack a box containing items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. It might include toiletries, medications, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and a first-aid kit. It will help you settle in comfortably without needing to unpack the rest of your belongings. Take the box with you and not in the moving truck.
Clean Your Home: Take the time to give your current home a thorough cleaning before your moving date. A clean home may be necessary to get your security deposit back and make it ready for new tenants.
Confirm Logistics with Your Moving Company: Verify arrangements with your movers. You’ll want to confirm the move date and time and parking arrangements for the moving truck. If you opted for extra moving services, such as furniture disassembly and assembly, confirm it with your movers.

Moving Day

Moving day can be hectic, but staying calm and organized will help ensure a smooth move. Delegate tasks to friends or a family member, communicate clearly with your movers, and take breaks when you need them.

Should You Hire a Moving Company?

Packing and moving your household items all by yourself is often too overwhelming. Hiring a moving company like Armstrong can help make moving a more manageable experience. Our experienced team can handle everything from packing delicate items to moving heavy and larger items.

Moving professionals can reduce the stress of moving and allows the average person more time to focus on other aspects of the move.

Key Takeaways

By following these tips and carefully planning your packing timeline, you’ll feel prepared for your move. It will give you the space to focus on the excitement of starting a new chapter in your life.

Remember, the key is to start early, stay organized, and delegate when needed. You may also benefit from working with a moving company to assist with your transition. With a little planning and the right packing strategy, you can conquer the stress and embrace the adventure of moving to your new home.