HOW TO

Pack Like a Pro

Plan ahead.

Develop a master to-do list so you won’t forget something critical heading into moving day. This will also help you create an estimate of moving time and costs.

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• Discard items you no longer want or need.

• Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer had it. Sort unwanted items into “garage sale,” “donate,” and “recycle” piles.

• Pack similar items together.

• It will make your life easier when it's time to unpack.

• Decide what you want to move on your own.

• Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you. Pack a moving day bag with a small first-aid kit, snacks, and other items you may need before unpacking your “Open First” box.

• Know what your movers will take.

• Many movers won’t take plants or liquids. Check with them about other items so you can plan to pack them yourself.

• Put heavy items in small boxes.

• Try to keep the weight of each box under 50 pounds.

• Don’t overpack boxes.

• It increases the likelihood that items inside the box will break.

• Wrap fragile items separately.

• Pad bottoms and sides of boxes and, if necessary, purchase bubble-wrap or other packing materials from moving stores. Secure plants in boxes with air holes.

• Label every box on all sides.

• You never know how they’ll be stacked. Also, use color-coded labels to indicate which room each box should go in, coordinating with a color-coded floor plan for the movers.

• Keep moving documents together in a file, either in your moving day bag or online.

• Include vital contact information, the driver’s name, the van’s license plate, and the company’s number.

• Print out a map and directions for movers and helpers.

• Make several copies, and highlight the route. Include your cell phone number on the map.

• Back up computer files on the cloud.

• Alternatively, you can keep a physical backup on an external hard drive offsite.

• Inspect each box and piece of furniture as soon as it arrives.

• Ahead of time, ensure your moving company has a relatively painless process for reporting damages.