Guide to Moving and Storage

Organization

• Go room by room and take a detailed account of furniture and decor that needs to be moved, stored or thrown out. Be aggressive in this part of the project as it will make your life easier down the line. Also go through all of the closets and cabinets and make a list of those items and whether they need to be moved, stored or thrown out.

Purge and Move Items

• For the items that you need to throw out or store, begin the process of doing so as soon as possible. Make a day of going to the local dump with items and secure a storage facility near your new home if possible. If you are able to, put the items for storage in the facility. Be as aggressive as possible about what to get rid of and what to store.

Storage

• Before putting anything in storage, examine the storage facility. If possible, rent a storage space that does not have a direct doorway or entryway to the outside. Storage facilities that offer these types of units tend to be more secure; and since your items will not be close to the outside elements, it will decrease the likelihood of damage. Wrap large items in blankets or plastic. Put smaller items in boxes and tape them closed. If you do not have access to your storage unit yet, put the items for storage off to the side, in a basement or garage area.

Supplies

• The first step in the packing process is to purchase the right supplies. Buy more than you think you need since it is a hassle to run out of tape or boxes. Do not forget wardrobe containers. You typically can purchase them at the storage facility, and you may be able to return them if they're unused.

Packing

• The easiest way to pack is to go room by room. Prioritize the items based on what you use often and what you don't. For example, if there are books on shelves that you never pick up, pack those first. Label boxes with what they contain or what room they pertain to, such as the bathroom or kitchen. Also write any special instructions on the box, such as "Open first," for items that are perishable or will be needed once you arrive.

Furniture and Electronics

• Although furniture and electronics may not need to be boxed up, you still need to make plans for how to move them. If you have the original boxes, use them. Make sure that all of the wires are removed from the electronics and all of the drawers and pillows have been removed from furniture. Tape all of the screws and nuts onto the furniture. Make a list of items that will be moved in your vehicle, such as valuable artwork and electronics, so they don't get mixed in with the items that the movers will be responsible for.

Movers

• Shop around for movers and get quotes from them. Get moving company recommendations from friends and family who have moved recently. It is a good idea to go over your homeowner's insurance policy and see how much it covers in breakage if the movers don't offer such coverage.