Are you getting ready to move, whether it be across town or halfway around the world? If so, packing supplies are a must! Packing your belongings can be intimidating and time-consuming, but having the right supplies on hand will make it easier. To help make preparing for your upcoming move simpler, we’ve put together a helpful guide that contains all of the packing essentials – from boxes and tape to bubble wrap and markers. So, if you’re in need of advice about what you should have stocked up before engaging in battle with cardboard and crumpled newsprint, read on for practical tips about which packing materials should top your list.
How To Choose The Right Packing Material And Moving Supplies
Throughout the length of the relocation, packing materials and moving goods will become your closest companions. Even the most delicate goods may be safely transported with the help of packing paper and bubble wrap. Moving big objects without damaging yourself is possible with the help of a dolly and a hand truck. Labeling and highlighting tools can help you stay organized. Garbage bags and tiny resealable bags, both commonplace, are also useful for packing.
Here are some steps you can take when it’s time to choose your packing and moving supplies:
Figure Out Your Moving Budget
Packing for a move is best done sooner rather than later. Our moving checklist recommends that you plan your moving budget two months in advance. Determine your complete relocation budget before hiring a moving company or committing to a do-it-yourself move. Those wishing to employ a long-distance moving firm should invest roughly $5,000. A local relocation, on the other hand, may cost as little as $1,000. If you’re relocating for a job, be sure to check with your company to see if they’ll pay your expenditures. The budget amount may change as you tweak, but it’s a good idea to start with an approximate value. Use an online moving cost calculator to see how much you may anticipate to pay.
Create An Inventory
If you hire moving professionals, they will also do an inventory (in person or through a virtual survey), but you must construct your own. This is an important stage for a variety of reasons, including determining what moving materials you’ll need and in what amounts. Examine all of your possessions, room by room and closet by closet. Include all drawers and cabinets. Determine how much you have and develop a list of what may be discarded. Make a list of what furniture shouldn’t be moved and undertake a closet purge. Get rid of everything that doesn’t fit, is out of style, and/or hasn’t been worn in a year. The same may be said for your kids’ closets, linen closets, and bathroom shelves. What you don’t need, toss, recycle, or donate. Sell your better-than-new but still-unwanted stuff. It’s a big job, but it’s the only way to figure out how much you have to move and lessen your burden.
Strategize Your Packing Process
Plan out your packing schedule at least five weeks before you have to start putting items in boxes. It is recommended that you begin packing your bags with your extra items first. Books, home décor, and gadgets are just some of the things you may pack up in the weeks leading up to the move. Essentials should be the last thing you pack. This includes everything you’ll need in the days leading up to the relocation, from food and drink to clothes and amenities.
Plan Out Your Packing Supplies
To get a decent estimate of how much packing supplies you’ll need, use an online packing calculator. This way, you may be certain that you will acquire what you need on your first trip to the shop. Simply enter the number of bedrooms in your house, the number of people relocating, your packing method (basic, average, professional), and your lifestyle to utilize the calculator (minimalist, modest, pack rat). The calculator will also tell you how many boxes you’ll need by size and/or kind, as well as the projected total cost of your moving goods. Take it with a grain of salt, since you may need less or more materials as you proceed. You don’t even have to purchase everything all at once, most of your supplies will come with the moving company if you hire professional movers.
Order Moving Supplies
If you’re packing your complete home, ordering all required moving supplies six weeks before the move is an excellent idea. These products, which range from boxes and bubble wrap to tape and packing paper, can assist guarantee that your goods arrive safely at your new home.
Begin Packing
Packing should begin a month before the relocation. Begin by packing non-essentials and seasonal items first. These might include winter jackets, off-season sports equipment, books, and any other items you won’t need in the weeks before the move. Pack any fragile things carefully and identify boxes as clearly as possible. Keep valuables and essential documents separate as well.
The following are the most common packing supplies:
- Boxes. Purchase cardboard boxes or rent plastic moving boxes to store your belongings in.
- Packing tape. You’ll need it for both packing boxes and sealing them after they’re filled, so forgo the dollar store packing tape and invest on more sturdy tape.
- Packing paper. You’ll need enough of ink-free packing paper to wrap fragile and/or sharp objects in, as well as to provide padding and solidity to boxes.
- Plastic wrap. You don’t need to purchase moving-specific plastic wrap, but you should have at least one roll of robust plastic wrap on hand to wrap around certain objects.
- Bubble wrap. Use this to wrap extra-fragile things like glass, pottery, and porcelain, as well as to give cushioning within boxes.
- Plastic baggies. Tiny plastic sandwich bags are ideal for keeping small goods that may otherwise be misplaced, such as furniture screws.
- Markers and/or labels. Labeling supplies may be done directly on boxes with a permanent marker or with labels and a marker (if using plastic bins, go with the latter method).
- Box cutters or scissors. There are several uses for scissors and/or a box cutter during your next move, from cutting packing paper and bubble wrap to unloading and opening boxes.
- Cleaning materials. While cleaning products aren’t technically “moving materials,” they are essential to have before and after a move.
- Cling-wrap. If you are moving alone, you will most likely need to buy a roll of plastic stretch wrap to cover big bulky things like sofa cushions and furniture.
Packing supplies are essential for any successful move or mailing, regardless of the size. Choosing the right packing supplies can make a big difference in protecting your valuable items during transport and ensuring their safe arrival. Packing materials should be selected with specific items in mind – while newspapers are good for stuffing boxes, they can cause staining if used to wrap glassware. Bubble wrap and packing peanuts are great for shielding fragile items, while durable boxes of all sizes can make it easier to maximize space and keep items secure. Packing supplies come in many varieties and types, so it’s important to research what would best suit your needs before investing in them.
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