Moving Guide and Packing Tips

 

Whether you’re moving across the country or down the street, renting a storage unit prior to your move will give you the space you need not only to get things out of the way but to unpack and settle in on your own time. SecurCare Self Storage will help you get ready for your move into a storage unit with our expert tips.

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Packing Tips

  1. Pack the least-used items first.
  2. Organize boxes by room and label everything.
  3. Break furniture down as much as possible.
  4. Pack boxes with little to no space to prevent shifting.
  5. Pack electronics in specially designed boxes.
  6. Invest in couch and mattress covers.
  7. Carefully pack and fill hollow glass items with foam or paper.
  8. Pack cleaning supplies and other liquids in sealed plastic bags.
  9. Keep valuables such as paper records, financial documents and jewelry with you.
  10. Load the truck with the heaviest items first.
  11. Pack an overnight box for your new place that includes toiletries, linens, prescriptions, etc.

Moving Guide

Things to do two months before:

  • Start by renting your storage unit, and going through all of the items in your house. You’ll want to figure out ahead of time what is staying, going and what can easily spend time in your storage unit without being missed.
  • Save all of your receipts for tax purposes.
  • Go online and start looking up pharmacies, banks, grocery and convenience stores near your new house.
  • Do the same with moving companies, and start getting quotes.
  • Make a list of your most expensive items, and call your homeowner’s insurance company to have these items covered during the transition. You can also tell them your new address, and set a date for the policy change.
  • In fact, make a list of all the places you need to provide an updated address to.
  • If you’re leaving any of these institutions, then get a copy of your records. Health and bank accounts are particularly important. While you’re calling them, set up any last-minute appointments. You’ll probably be out of a doctor or dentist if you’re heading to a completely new area.
  • Set up all your travel plans: who is taking what cars, planes, trains or cabs.

Things to do one month before:

  • If you’re adding new carpet or painting the house, set up these appointments now.
  • While you’re making calls, dial the utilities, and set the date of transfer.
  • Start packing. We have lots of moving supplies to help, but you can also ask friends and coworkers for any extras. Items like décor, seasonal clothing, junk drawers and spare dishes can be packed.
  • If you’re moving nearby, try to figure out where everything will go. It will aid anyone helping you move, or the hired moving company.
  • If you’re moving to a new area, determine what you need to do about your car title and license plate.
  • No matter where you’re moving, you will need to update your driver’s license.

Things to do two weeks before:

  • Start cleaning any near-empty rooms. Scrub appliances, baseboards, walls, ceilings and any wall treatments you will be leaving behind.
  • Continue packing all the way down to the absolute essentials.
  • Start putting together your overnight box with essentials.
  • Start backing up computers, and prepare them for the move.
  • If you’re using a moving company, go ahead and give them a call to confirm the date and time. Get them printed directions and your cell number.

Things to do one week before:

  • You should know if the closing is going ahead as scheduled, and start getting keys, garage door openers and alarm codes prepared.
  • Do your final walk-through at the new place about 3 days prior to closing.
  • Finish packing, but leave a couple of sets of clothes out in paper bags just in case there’s an emergency and the moving trucks don’t show.
  • It’s time to get your appliances ready, so remove flammable materials like propane tanks and wipe everything down.
  • Don’t forget to grab some cash if you need to tip the movers. It’s about $20 a person.
  • Clean out the fridge the day before your move begins.
  • Pre-make signs on pieces of paper that label each door in the house. When you get to the new house, hang up the signs on the appropriate doors.

Things to do on moving day:

  • Pack it all up, and when it looks like everything is out, give the house a final check.
  • Head to the new place, and immediately set up the toiletries, trash bags and linens.
  • Give the place a thorough walk-through, and hang up all your room signs.
  • Check fire detectors to ensure they’re still functioning.
  • Consider laying down plastic to protect the flooring. When everyone arrives, give them a brief tour of the house to get acclimated.
  • As soon as the movers are done, if they haven’t already done so, set up the beds. Doing this now will make you pretty happy to have a place to fall into at the end of the day.

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