When to Pack For a Move

Got your moving date locked in? Wondering about the ideal packing timeline? This article has you covered. Discover when to pack for a move and pick up a few additional tips to ensure you're well-prepared. Here's to making your move a smoother experience!

When should I start packing for a move?

Wondering how early you should start packing to move? It's a common question, and an important one! As a general guideline, initiating your packing around three weeks before the moving date is advisable, especially after you've dedicated time to decluttering. This ensures you're not in a last-minute rush to pack every nook and cranny of your space.

Of course, the time frame might vary depending on the size of your home. If you have a substantial amount of belongings accumulated over many years, particularly if you're tackling multiple rooms, you might find it beneficial to allocate more time. Consider the scale of your move and realistically estimate the packing duration required. In essence, plan accordingly.

An additional tip: While the ideal packing lead time can differ based on the scope of your move, aiming for approximately three weeks is generally a good starting point.

We've outlined a straightforward step-by-step guide to assist you in preparing for your move, including what to pack and when to get started, complemented by additional moving insights.

Week-By-Week Packing Guide For Moving

6-8 Weeks: Clean & Decide What You’re Taking With You

Kick off your move preparations with a brief house clean-up. A well-maintained space provides a solid starting point for deciding which belongings will accompany you to your new home.

• Clean House: A clean environment simplifies the process of determining what items will make the move with you.
• Purge Items: Take a room-by-room approach, identifying items you no longer need. Reducing your load not only makes the move more cost-effective but also aids organization.
• Separate Unwanted Items: Create a distinct pile for items you're parting with. Clearing the clutter allows your moving company to estimate the volume of your belongings, providing a more accurate cost estimate.

Embarking on this early phase sets the groundwork for a smoother and more organized moving process.

5 Weeks: Streamline Your Belongings

As the fifth week approaches on your moving timeline, it's time to streamline your possessions. Follow these steps to efficiently manage items you won't be taking with you:

• Sell Unwanted Belongings: Optimize your move cost by selling items you no longer need. This not only lightens the load for transportation but also puts some cash in your pocket. Consider hosting a successful garage sale before the move.
• Donate Unsellable Items: For items not worth selling, consider the philanthropic route. Donate to charities, and remember to ask for a receipt for potential tax deductions. Schedule a free pick-up with charitable organizations if needed.
• Handle Old Furniture: Disposing of old furniture can be challenging. Refer to a straightforward guide on how to get rid of your old furniture hassle-free.
• Address Moving “Non-Allowables”: Movers have restrictions on certain items. Review the list of items movers won't transport and plan accordingly. Ensure you manage these non-allowables appropriately before moving day arrives.

4 Weeks: Choose Your Moving Solution

As you hit the 4-week mark on your moving countdown, it's time to decide how you'll transport your belongings. Consider the following options:

Full-Service Moving Company:

• Collect Quotes: Obtain at least three quotes from different moving companies. Shopping around helps you understand the market rates and potentially save money.
• Online Reputation Check: Ensure the companies you're considering have positive online reputations. Explore review platforms like Yelp or Google to gauge customer satisfaction.
• In-Home Estimate: For larger homes, opt for in-home estimates. This method provides a more accurate quote, which is crucial for larger moves billed by the hour.
• Verify Licensing: Check the licensing of potential moving companies. This ensures they adhere to industry regulations, offering protection for your belongings.
• Seek Referrals: Reach out to friends, family, or realtors for recommendations. Trustworthy referrals provide peace of mind, knowing you're hiring a reliable moving company.

By meticulously evaluating these aspects, you'll be better equipped to choose the right moving solution for a smooth and stress-free relocation.

Moving Yourself Options

• Consider a rental truck service (e.g., U-Haul). Renting a truck can be a cost-effective option for moving. However, for valuable or delicate items, opting for professional movers might ensure better protection.
• Explore mobile storage Pods. Companies like Pods offer a convenient, time-saving solution. Load your items into the Pod, and they'll transport them to your new location.
• Seek assistance from friends and family. Enlisting the help of trusted friends and family members is a budget-friendly choice. Utilize their vehicles for transporting smaller items, and consider renting a small trailer or storage Pod for larger items. This approach is generally the most economical.

2-3 Weeks: Commence the Packing Process

As you enter the 2-3 week mark before your move, it's time to initiate the packing phase. A well-prepared packing strategy not only ensures a smoother process but also potentially lowers costs, especially if your movers charge by the hour. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Acquire Packing Materials: Purchase packing materials from Home Depot, online sources, or consider using household items like linens, towels, and suitcases. Explore budget-friendly options with these 13 places to find affordable packing supplies.
• Prioritize Non-Essential Items: Begin packing non-essential items first, such as those in storage rooms, closets, and the garage. Typically, the kitchen is packed last.
• Room-by-Room Packing: Adopt a systematic approach by packing one room at a time. Keep boxes organized within each room to facilitate easy labeling.
• Effective Labeling: Label each box clearly with its contents and the corresponding room. This labeling system streamlines the unpacking process at your new home.
• Utilize Garage Space: Designate the garage as a staging area for non-essential items. This temporary storage solution helps maintain organization during the packing frenzy.
• Handle Valuables Personally: Take charge of packing and moving valuable and personal items yourself. This ensures their safety and secure arrival at your new home.

By following these guidelines, you'll navigate the packing process efficiently, contributing to a well-organized and cost-effective move.

1 Week: Final Touches

As your moving day approaches, focus on the finishing touches to streamline the process:

• Stay Organized: Packing the kitchen can be a manageable task if you stay organized. Use appropriate materials to protect dishes and glassware. Refer to instructional videos for insights into packing delicate items securely.
• Utilize Dressers: Dressers can be moved with some clothes in them, provided they aren't overly stuffed, and the dresser is sturdy.
• Moving in a Hurry: If you're pressed for time, check out our guide on moving in a hurry for practical tips.

By adhering to these guidelines, you'll not only safeguard your valuables but also ensure that your daily essentials are within reach. Additionally, allocating sufficient time for the packing process contributes to a more organized and less stressful move. We also recommend you pick up some helpful tips from our Ultimate Moving Guide.

Timeline by Room

How soon should you start packing for a move? Room-by-room packing is an effective strategy for a smooth move. Starting with less-used areas ensures gradual progress. The suggested timeline, outlined below, designates when you should start packing for each room, optimizing the moving process.

1. Garage (6-7 weeks before): Commence with storage spaces like garages and attics, typically the least frequented.
2. Attic (5-6 weeks before): Similar to garages, attics often store occasional items and can be packed well in advance.
3. Spare Bedroom (3-4 weeks before): These rooms, often used for storage, can be packed 3-4 weeks before the move.
4. Living Room (2-3 weeks before): Daily-used living rooms have items like shelves and sideboards that can be packed away.
5. Bedroom (1-2 weeks before): Pack less frequently worn clothes, bedding, and towels a couple of weeks before the move.
6. Kitchen (1-2 weeks before): Start packing less-used kitchen items 1-2 weeks before, keeping essentials for the final week.
7. Bathroom (Week before): To ensure daily convenience, save packing the most used room, the bathroom, until the week of the move.

10 Vital Packing Tips for a Smooth Move

Moving can be a whirlwind, but with the right packing strategy, you can ensure a smoother transition. Here are three crucial tips to keep in mind:

1. Handle Small Valuables Personally. Movers prefer not to transport small, high-value items like jewelry, cash, or checkbooks. Taking charge of these personally ensures their safety, and prevents potential disputes over lost items during the hectic moving process. Read more about what movers won’t pack.
2. Essentials at Your Fingertips. Pack a day box containing essential items you'll need daily. Include medications, toiletries, clothes, and any documents relevant to your move, especially if it's long-distance. Having these daily necessities readily accessible prevents them from getting lost in the maze of moving boxes.
3. Allocate Sufficient Time. Underestimating the amount of stuff you own is common when you begin packing. Give yourself ample time to avoid last-minute stress. Adequate preparation ensures a more organized and less chaotic moving experience.
4. Organized Approach. To maintain order, pack one room at a time. If you have assistance, assign each person to box up one or two rooms. This ensures a systematic packing process.
5. Weight Distribution. Pack heavier items at the bottom of the box and lighter ones on top. This prevents breakage and makes handling easier during the move.
6. Bubble Wrap and Packing Paper. Safeguard breakables using bubble wrap and packing paper. Clearly label boxes containing fragile items, reminding everyone to handle them with care during the move.
7. Trusted Family Member. Designate a trustworthy family member for declutter duty. While others pack, this person can efficiently collect items for donation, streamlining the overall process.
8. Prioritize Decluttering. If time is limited, tackle decluttering early in the day before packing. This ensures a more focused and efficient decluttering process.
9. Color-Coded Labels. Use different colored labels for each room's moving boxes. This simplifies unloading at your new home. Additionally, note the box's contents on the outside, aiding in the unpacking process.
10. Simplify Your Move with Move4U. Moving soon? Let Move4U take the hassle out of your relocation. Our experienced team ensures a smooth transition, whether it's a local move in Chicagoland or a long-distance journey. Enjoy full-service support, expert care for your belongings, and a stress-free moving experience. Focus on settling in while we handle the logistics. Ready for a seamless move? Get your quote from Move4U today!