packing

How to Pack Up Your Things When Relocating to a New State

Packing up your life and moving across the country doesn’t have to be disastrous. By learning how to pack boxes for moving, you can resettle quickly in your new space with very little stress.

1. Label Boxes and Describe Their Contents

Before packing up your things, designate a space for each box, such as the garage, living room, and basement, and label those boxes accordingly, so you know where to put them in the new house. Label the containers with both the room they are coming from and going to.

Load up your boxes with a complete inventory, labeling each box with all of the inside items and describing the box’s contents. This will save you plenty of time when unpacking your belongings.

2. Organize Your Belongings

Start with boxed-up items when you are ready to pack your belongings before shipping them off to your new life. For example, if you have three bookshelves consisting of a dozen books each, box up all three shelves at once and label the boxes accordingly. It is best to take note of the things you don’t want to move.

For example, if you have an extensive collection of cookbooks in your kitchen and plan to cook in your new living space, you may want to leave your old cookbooks behind. If you have a job that requires a uniform, you may want to leave all of your uniforms behind in your old home.

3. Encapsulate Fragile Items

Fragile items such as glass and china should be rolled up in bubble wrap to protect the items during shipping. You can also use packing peanuts to give your fragile items an extra layer of protection.

4. Ensure You’ve Packed Important Documents

You should pack up copies of your important documents and make sure you have the originals within reach. These documents include:

  • Birth certificates
  • Social Security cards
  • Passports
  • Professional licenses
  • Driver’s licenses
  • Car registrations
  • Insurance records
  • Credit cards
  • Bank statements
  • Investment records

This will save you the time and trouble it will take to go to the DMV, the post office, and your bank after you move.

5. Create a Packing Outline

If you have many items to pack up, create a list of what you will be packing from room to room. For example, you can create a packing list of items from the master bedroom and items from the kitchen, especially if you have a lot of dishes, pots and pans, or utensils. This will help you pack up your things on time.

6. Donate Anything You Don’t Need

If you have too many things, you may have already bought some items that you don’t need or use. Donate these items to a charity or sell them to a consignment shop. Selling or donating the items ensures that they will not stay in your garage or basement forever and earns you some extra cash.

Conclusion

By preparing a list of your belongings, including items you do not plan to bring with you, you can better plan your move and ensure that you have everything you need. Prepare a box for things you don’t want to take with you and try to sell or donate them.

Move Gurus is a full-service moving solution. We’re here to help make your next move hassle-free. Our team of professional movers is fully licensed and insured for your peace of mind, and we specialize in timely, safe, and effective residential moving, packing, and delivery. If you’re moving to a new state and need movers in Calera, AL, we can help. Get in touch with us today to get a free quote!

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