Moving is a time that is both fun and nerve-wracking. While you’re excited to get into a new place, the fear of breaking or leaving something behind is always on your mind.
To help with the transition process, consider these seven tips from professional movers at Cheap Movers Las Vegas (101 N Pecos Rd Suite 113, Las Vegas, NV 89101, (702) 660-4699) on how to pack up your apartment.
1. Mark Every Box
Every person has heard the same familiar cry: “Where did I put [blank]?” It’s frustrating, time-consuming, and, most of all, unnecessary.
To alleviate this concern, take out a sharpie and mark every single box with a loose description of what’s inside. It can be something as simple as “kitchen dishes,” but make sure that you know what’s there at a glance. Check out these labeling tips.
2. Place Breakables in the Center of the Box
Items that have a spout or glass handle should always be placed towards the interior of the box rather than the outside. You never know when a box will bang up against a wall, or even worse, fall on its side, so make sure everything that’s breakable has as much interior protection as possible.
3. Don’t Skimp on Packing Materials
It’s tempting just to roll up your expensive china in a towel and place it on the inside, but you’re just asking for problems if you do so. Pack as much paper, bubble wrap, or other cushiony material as you can to make sure those stay safe. Otherwise, your decision to save $20 on boxes and wrapping materials could end up in thousands lost.
4. Do Not Pack Dangerous Items
Flammable items, aerosol cans, corrosive materials, and other dangerous materials are illegal to transfer by professional movers, and for a good reason: it’s dangerous. By not knowing that it’s there, they could unintentionally create a fire or explosion, possibly hurting or killing others in the process. A good rule of thumb is if you can’t ship it in the mail, movers can’t take in their truck, so it’s best to throw it away or donate it if possible.
5. Pack a “Day One” Kit
Your first 24 hours in your new place are, in a word, chaotic. Make the transition easier by putting aside one box with some clothes, soap, towels, laptop, snacks, etc., that you will need on your first day in your new place. Move that box to your bedroom where you can get to it, and mark it clearly on the side of the box.
6. Use the Right Boxes
Professional movers see everything and more, but one of the most common is people who will use the wrong kind of box for an item, like a flimsy soft-ply box filled to the brim with heavy books. Not only will this not work, but it can also be dangerous for the movers as they try to transport it. Bix a heavy box for heavy items, light boxes for light items, and do not skimp on quality.
7. Buy Packing Supplies Ahead of Time
There is nothing more frustrating than being two hours into a move and running out of tape. Or boxes. Or packing peanuts. Constant trips to the store are time-consuming and just plain wasteful, so make sure you have more than enough materials to get the packing done when you start.