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SeaPort Moving & Storage
2501 SE Columbia Way Suite 110
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-993-5114
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SeaPort Moving & Storage
2501 SE Columbia Way Suite 110
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-993-5114
SeaPort Moving & Storage

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SeaPort Moving & Storage
2501 SE Columbia Way Suite 110
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-993-5114
SeaPort Moving & Storage

What To Pack First When Moving

 

Written by Ethan Greenfield for Moving.Tips

Moving to a new place is usually seen as a new beginning, a chance for a fresh start, a new page in life…

However symbolical the moving process may be, though, in fact it is just a sequence of actions that result in the relocation of your belongings from one place to another. So, while the emotional and mental preparation for your house move is, undoubtedly, crucial for the successful outcome of your relocation adventure, the actual preparation of your items for shipment is just as important, too. You need to inventory your possessions, sort them out, declutter your home, get rid of any unwanted items, carefully pack the things you’re going to take with you, provide appropriate insurance for your valuable, and so on.

All these preparatory steps are essential for organizing a smooth and trouble-free relocation, of course, but it is the packing process that should be your greatest concern – it is, without a doubt, the most time-consuming, laborious, and consequential moving task you have to deal with. To ensure your packing success and the safety of your cherished possessions, you need to create a packing list, get hold of appropriate packing materials, observe the golden rules of packing, and steer clear of packing mistakes.

But first things first – before you can get down to work, you need to know where to start packing for a move.

So, what to pack first for moving? It’s only logical that the first things to pack will be the things you need the least.

Items in storage areas

Everything that has been safely stored away and hidden out of sight in garages, basements, or attics, is certainly rarely used and little needed (if at all). It is highly unlikely that you will need any of these half-forgotten items in the time left until moving day, so you are recommended to start organizing them and packing them away as early as possible. Remember that going through the storage areas in your home and sorting out all the miscellaneous things kept there will take a lot of time and effort.
So, roll up your sleeves and “attack” the storage areas at the earliest opportunity. Your first task is to assess your stored belongings and decide their fate. Sort them into three separate piles:

1) “to be discarded” – all the items that are too outdated or too worn out to be used ever again, as well as any damaged pieces you still keep;
2) “to be sold, donated, or given away” – all the knick-knacks, decorations, old furniture, specialty equipment, craft supplies, tools, and so on that are still in good conditions but you don’t like anymore or won’t be able to use in your new surroundings, be it because of the climate, the available space, the peculiarities of your new lifestyle, etc.
3) “to be packed for moving” – anything that has considerable practical, aesthetic, or sentimental value and you don’t want to part with.

Needless to say, you need to dispose of the first pile immediately and take care of the second one as soon as possible (otherwise you may reconsider your decisions and start pulling items out of that pile). Organize a moving sale or sell online any costly possessions of yours that you’re not taking with you (artwork, sports gear, specialized tools, etc.), donate practical items of little market value (old clothes, toys, furniture pieces, etc.), and give away to friends and family whatever they may like or need.

All the rarely used items from the third pile (things you intend to take to your new home) should be packed and prepared for shipment a month or so before the actual relocation. Make sure you:
create a detailed inventory of the items you are packing and document their current condition;
provide your items with excellent protection against moisture, dust, bugs, etc. (have in mind that the first things you pack for moving will stay in the boxes for quite a long time);
label the boxes properly as you won’t remember which items went where;
stack all the packed boxes in a separate area where they won’t get in your way;
properly prepare the large tools and equipment you’re going to take with you (lawnmowers, snow blowers, bikes, etc.) – any fuel should be drained out of the tanks, sharp edges and cutting parts should be safely wrapped, and so on.

Have in mind that moving companies are not allowed to relocate certain typical garage contents (motor oils, antifreeze, paint and paint thinners, charcoal, propane tanks, fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, car batteries, as well as any flammable, explosive or corrosive items) for safety reasons, so you should not waste your time packing them. Unless you can move the non-allowables yourself, you’ll have to get rid of them before the relocation – use them up, give them away, etc.

Non-essential items
The term “non-essentials” refers to everything you can live without for a few weeks – things in drawers, closets, cabinets, etc. that you won’t miss if they stay packed away in boxes for a month or two. Such items include but are not limited to:

decorations and artwork – holiday decorations, framed pictures, figurines, vases, souvenirs, and all other kinds of decorative objects that make your place charming and cozy but have no practical purpose whatsoever. Have in mind that such items should be packed with utmost care as they are quite delicate and fragile. Besides, some of them are not only beautiful and sentimental, but also very expensive (pieces of art, for example), so you will most definitely want to keep them intact;
collectibles – you will certainly not have the time to look through old photo albums or to admire your train models in the weeks leading to moving day, so any collectible items should find their way into the moving boxes long before the relocation;

extras – any extra towels, linens, bedding, office supplies, etc. should be among the first things to get into the moving boxes as they are not used anyway;

books – you won’t be reading much in the busy weeks prior to your move, so you can pack your books away as early as 3-4 weeks in advance. Make sure you put them in small sturdy boxes that won’t break under the weight of their contents and keep them in a clean and dry place;

DVD’s, CD’s, video games, hobby materials – you may keep a few of those to provide for some entertainment during the strenuous weeks of moving preparations but it’s a good idea to pack most of your leisure time items long before the relocation chaos has taken reign over your home;

off-season clothes, shoes, and accessories – pack up everything you are not going to use for over a month, including seasonal items such as beach umbrellas or ski goggles;

specialized kitchenware – fine china, cake plates, condiment dishes, crystal glasses, ice-cream cups, pie pans, cookie cutters, barbecue tongs, etc., as well as small appliances, extra dishes, dishtowels, food storage containers, and other similar items that you use rarely or only on special occasions, should be packed well in advance.

Once you’ve dealt with all the infrequently-needed items described above, you should proceed with games, jewelry and toiletries that are not used on a daily basis, followed by non-perishable pantry items, office supplies, sewing supplies, and various other knick-knacks you can easily survive without for a week or two.
 
Which rooms to pack first
When you have sorted out and boxed up the storage areas (the toughest packing challenge you’ll be faced with), you should move on to the other less commonly used rooms in your home, such as the guest rooms and the living room. The most essential rooms – the kitchen, the kids’ room (if applicable), the bedroom, and the bathroom – should be packed last, of course.

All your clothes, kitchen items, electronics and pretty much everything else that is not yet into the moving boxes should be packed up in the week before moving day. So, make sure you have enough clothes to last for the next few days (including appropriate attire for moving day), take out the plastic utensils (forget all about cooking during the last day or two before your move), have your kids each choose one set of toys they want to keep out for the last few days, put aside the items that will get into your box of essentials and pack all the rest of your belongings (do not forget to prepare household appliances and disassemble large furniture pieces, as well). Keep a few extra boxes and bags handy for last-minute packing endeavors.

SeaPort Moving & Storage
2501 SE Columbia Way Suite 110
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-993-5114
SeaPort Moving & Storage

What To Do Before The Movers Arrive

 

Written by Ethan Greenfield for Moving.Tips

You have probably heard or read a few stories telling about smooth and trouble-free relocations and even more accounts of problematic and stressful moving experiences. Home movers who encountered no difficulties when moving house were either fortunate enough to come across competent and trustworthy moving companies or had enviable organizational skills in planning and providing for all kinds of unexpected situations. If you want to follow their example and organize a successful relocation, you should start the moving preparations well in advance and pay meticulous attention to all the seemingly small details that have substantial consequences for the entire moving process. Besides choosing an appropriate new home, making an efficient moving budget, getting several estimates and hiring the best cross-country movers for your case, there is something else you can do to give considerable momentum to your own moving adventure – prepare well before the movers arrive. Even if you have booked a full-service move, there are a number of things you can do to speed up the moving procedures and minimize the risk of damages, problems, and setbacks.

If you know how to prepare for movers and packers, you will save a lot of valuable time and splitting headaches on Moving day. Here are the 20 most important things to do before the movers arrive:

Purge your home
Sort out your belongings and declutter your home prior to your move in order to simplify it. Sell or donate all the items you will no longer need in your new surroundings to save the time required for packing them and the money for shipping them.


Know what cannot be moved
It is very important to request a list of all the items that your movers will not ship for you and make the necessary arrangements:

Find specialty movers or plan to move your pets and/or plants yourself as they cannot be loaded on the moving truck;
Use up or give away to friends and neighbors any perishable food and hazardous materials you may have (motor oils, antifreeze, paint, charcoal, propane tanks, fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, car batteries, cleaning supplies and other flammable, explosive or corrosive items).
Get insurance
Choose an appropriate valuation protection plan and buy additional insurance if necessary (it’s highly recommendable in case you intend to move items of great monetary or sentimental value). Make sure you know all your options and understand all the differences and specific conditions of the different types of liability protection offered by your chosen movers.

Create an inventory
Create a detailed inventory of all the items you are about to move. It will be very useful when organizing your stuff and will serve as proof of the contents of your household shipment should something go missing or get damaged. It is a good idea to list the serial numbers of all of your electronics and appliances, as well as their brands and types.

Clean and organize
Make sure all the items that will be packed in boxes and taken to your new place are clean and in good condition. You don’t want damaged devices and furniture pieces, stained fabric or dirty appliances, etc. to come in contact with new or delicate items and ruin them. Don’t forget to do the obvious:

Unplug, empty and clean all the electrical appliances (fridge, dishwasher, etc.). Remove the batteries from whatever devices will be transported in the moving truck;
Empty drawers, cupboards, book shelves, etc.;
Drain the fuel out of your lawn mower, snow blower, or other fuel-powered tool you are taking with you;
Strip the beds and all other furniture pieces of covers, decorative cushions, linen, etc. and pack the bedding separately.
Pre-pack small items
Keep small items tidy – put them in sealable bags, so that they don’t get lost or scattered during the transportation. Actually, any souvenirs, small decorations, desk organizers and a number of other bric-a-brac will only delay your movers and get in their way. Pack them yourself even if you have hired professional packers.

Label
Put labels, color-codes, and specific instructions to every item or pre-packed box or anything else you want to be handled with special care or to find its rightful place immediately.

Separate items
Keep the items that your movers should not pack and load on the moving truck separately. You are advised to mark a no-pack/no-entry room in your home where to store everything that you will not entrust to the movers. These items include but are not limited to:

Personal documents;
Valuables – heirlooms, jewelry, artwork, collector items;
Essentials box;
Small electronic devices of crucial importance – laptop, phone, camera, tablet.
Measure doors and prepare furniture
Plan an appropriate escape route out of your home – measure the doors and see if your larger furniture will fit through them and along narrow corridors, sharp turns, and steep staircases. When you have found the easiest way to take your stuff out, make sure the path is clear of any obstacles and as safe as possible. You can even disassemble bulky furniture pieces that may cause a problem (keep the detached parts and the small hardware elements together with the piece they belong to) and wrap them in blankets or plastic warp for extra protection. If you are not up to the task, at least you will be able to direct your movers as to what pieces should be dismantled beforehand and how to squeeze them out as easy as possible.

Arrange to be present on Moving day
All the above-described preparations will come very handy on Moving day, but what matters the most is whether you will be present to oversee the process and provide relevant information, proper directions and invaluable assistance to your movers. Arrange to be in your home when the movers arrive.

Plan for pets and kids
It is recommended to leave your children and pets with a relative or a close friend until all the moving procedures in your old property are over. Away from all the tension and the chaos, they will be safe and you will be able to concentrate on the urgent matters at hand. If this is not possible, find a babysitter to look after your young ones in a separate room where they will not be disturbed and place pets in a kennel or cage, or in a fenced area for the day.

Mind the weather
Take precautionary measures according to the current atmospheric conditions – put on appropriate clothes, make sure your children and pets are inside on cold or rainy days, cover the floors with newspaper or old rugs to protect the floors from mud and dirt, cover all your belongings in plastic wrap to keep them from getting wet, etc.

Prepare house for movers
Do your best to prevent damage to your old property which needs to be in good condition, so that you can sell it under favorable conditions or receive your security deposit without problems in case you are leaving a rental:

Protect floors and carpets with efficient coverings and place doormats to prevent some of the dirt;
Protect walls and corners with the help of old fabrics and corner guards, wrap banisters in moving blankets, or bubble wrap, or old sheets, etc., and cover the stairs with protective anti-slippery coating;
Use foam paddings to protect your door frames and remove doors from their hinges if necessary;
Remove paintings, mirrors and clocks from the walls to prevent damaging them.
Take photos
Take lots of pictures before the movers arrive. They will not only be a proof of the good condition of your household items and your property but will also help you remember your old place well and arrange your new one in the same way if you want to.

Secure personal data
Make sure neither the movers nor anyone else has access to your personal information – keep credit cards and bank information securely locked, protect your computer with a password, shred any old documents and do whatever is necessary to protect your privacy and prevent identity theft.

Double check everything
Before the moving company arrives, go through every corner of your old home one last time to make sure nothing is left behind. Check the attic, the basement, the garage, inside the bathroom or under the kitchen countertops – just inspect the entire place one final time.

Have bags and extra supplies
Make sure there are some extra bags and boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap for last-minute packing emergencies!

Provide snacks and drinks
Recharge your movers’ energy levels to secure an efficient and speedy job. Offer bottled water and some snacks to the moving crew and designate a bathroom they can use (it should be equipped with liquid soap and disposable hand towels).

Have cash for tips
Get some cash ready to tip your movers if you are pleased with their work. Add some extra dollars for extremely heavy items, narrow corridors and stairs, etc.

Maintain a sense of humor
Adopt a positive approach and find a way around unexpected problems. A good joke and a friendly comment will help reduce the tension and if you don’t allow stress to build up, your relocation experience will be nothing short of gratifying success.

So, how to prepare for professional movers? Prepare your household items, prepare your home and prepare your mind for an exciting and beneficial moving adventure!

SeaPort Moving & Storage
2501 SE Columbia Way Suite 110
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-993-5114
SeaPort Moving & Storage

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SeaPort Moving & Storage
2501 SE Columbia Way Suite 110
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-993-5114
SeaPort Moving & Storage 

What Are The Difference Between Binding, Non-Binding and Not-To-Exceed Estimates?

 

A binding estimate is a fixed price, guaranteed not to change unless additional services are provided that were not originally listed on your estimate or you alter your list of items.

A non-binding estimate means that the final price will be determined by the actual weight of your shipment. A not-to-exceed estimate means that you will not be charged for more than 10% of the estimated weight or any less than 90% of the estimated weight.

Estimates might not cover addition services at delivery such as stairs/elevator, long carry and/or shuttle. If additional services are required at the delivery, additional charges will be added. Estimates are valid for up to 30 days unless otherwise stated.

Charges are based upon the weight and mileage in accordance with our tariff. The truck is weighed at a certified scale before and after loading your items.

 

SeaPort Moving & Storage
2501 SE Columbia Way Suite 110
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-993-5114
SeaPort Moving & Storage