Packing up and moving is probably not on anyone’s favorite to do list but there are ways to make the process much less stressful overall. Having a plan in place ahead of time can save time and money. While you may not have a lot of time to pack, you probably have a few options as to how to go about doing it. Will you store items ahead of time or pack as you go? Depending on your current situation every plan can be custom tailored differently to suit the mover. Here are a couple tips to keep in mind and some options to consider when relocating to the Oregon Coast.
1. Plan a strategy ahead of time.
Get your packing supplies ready to go; boxes, tape, markers, bubble wrap and places to put all the packed boxes. Are you going to keep the boxes at the house until you move or store them in a storage facility to keep the clutter at a minimum?
2. Pack what you don’t need for the next couple months.
If you know you will not need seasonal items or clothes for a few months, pack these items first. This can also include holiday decor, seasonal cooking supplies, i.e. canning, etc, summer or winter clothes, school supplies or outdoor equipment.
3. Mark every box with exactly what’s inside.
Many folks don’t want to loose that coffee maker when they first get into their new home so mark it well and keep it at a spot you will be unpacking first. Remember where you packed things in a storage container or truck so you can get to the most important items quickly. If you have several items from several rooms in one box, mark it as such so you don’t have to struggle finding that one item when you need it. Also mark rooms as such and try to keep items from each room in the one box.
4. Use your own items as packing supplies.
Save the cost of bubble wrap and newspaper and use your own blankets and towels to wrap dishes, glasses and fragile items… but just like above, don’t forget to mark that you’ve done so or you might be seriously hunting for a towel after your first shower.
5. Arrange items in the truck or storage pod in a manner you will want them removed.
Whether you are packing yourself or having a moving company do it, you have control as to how things are packed and where they are placed. If you know you will need something right away, don’t pack it in the back but keep it set out to be one of the last things to move.
6. Know how much space you need before you begin.
A helpful storage calculator can determine how much space you will need for storing items, moving or packing. By learning this ahead of time you can much better plan and budget your space, truck, storage and time.
About Rob Shepherd
[...] people think about the northwest and Oregon in particular, they might envision tall fir trees, majestic mountains and with good reason, it [...]