If you are relocating and looking for moving companies in Kissimmee FL to help you, it pays to make a list and research. Look for customer testimonials and reviews, both good and bad. We understand that most times, people who relocate are on a tight schedule and relocation often means packing your entire house. To save time for more important concerns such as house hunting and getting to know your new work colleagues, engaging a moving company may be cost-effective in the long run.
Here’s a rundown of tips and tricks to reduce packing time and moving time:
- Plan a packing strategy.
- Make a packing list and a to do list especially for errands you need to complete before moving day. Do you need to file for a leave from work or use all your PTO days to complete these tasks?
- Budget moving expenses. Set aside the amount you can spend for your entire relocation journey. Determine how much you can afford for professional movers, packing materials, moving trucks and other moving costs.
- Create a packing schedule that will fit your entire moving schedule and your current lifestyle.
- Segregate expensive items such as electronics from basic furniture, clothing and other belongings.
- Keep kids and pets away from the packing station when movers arrive to avoid disturbing the process and slowing down the job.
- Be flexible and ingenious. Problem solving often requires thinking outside of the box.
- Offer refreshments and prepare cash tip. Being appreciative of other people always makes the load lighter and the process faster.
How can I make packing easier?
The tedious task of packing and unpacking can really dampen the excitement of moving to a new place.
Just thinking about the boxes you need to open can create additional stress to the moving process but an organized start to a new life is possible. Setting realistic expectations and creating a timeline can also help you get packed and unpacked in no time.
One of the things most people discover once they decide to move is that they have too much stuff. If left unaddressed, this can easily make the entire move a stressful process. While it would be a hasty generalization to presume that they can easily get rid of these belongings and start anew, deciding which things to take and which to leave behind, discard, donate or sell, is also a good place to start. Identify your non-negotiables and as early as possible.
Expect a transition period where most of your belongings are already in boxes but you are still waiting for moving day. Put together in an essentials bag which you can easily access while preparing for moving day.
How far in advance should you start packing for a move?
On average, packing should start at least 6 weeks before your moving date. If you have a lot of belongings, you can add another week or two. Take time to discard, sort through piles of stuff and put things in storage or out to trash or recycling. One of the tips people follow is engaging workers from utility companies to do a general clean-up of your place. This way you will not miss other important things such as moving in clearances and permits or forget to tackle your storage room or basement.
What is easiest to pack first when moving? Some packing tips to remember.
Knowing where and when to start is half the battle. It can be overwhelming if you do not have a plan, but it is not impossible for unpacking to take less than a day. Seasoned packers advise to take care of your breakables first. When loading boxes into trucks, put the large boxes of sturdy furniture and appliances first. Most people pack their refrigerator, dining table, cabinets and other big items first. This makes organizing it easier because the place where small items will be placed will be ready.
Disassemble furniture and other household belongings and use different color packing labels to distinguish these from your fragile items.
Aside from creating a checklist of belongings, you also need a checklist of how you will go about the unpacking. How many rooms do you have in your new home? Will you set up the bedroom first or the home office? How will you transport boxes ready for moving?
How do I pack and move out in one day?
If you are on really tight schedule and need same day moving assistance, expect to strategize for a more complicated scenario. If you pack right, a bonus is you will be able to start unpacking easier and you can strategically finish moving in, in a few days.
Here are a few packing tips for moving. Packing hacks can be especially helpful if you need to pack up and go in one day:
1. Declutter
Reducing the number of things you own will make packing easier. Do some spring cleaning. Consider discarding items you have not used for a while. Put up things you haven’t used in a year for sale online or in a yard sale. Clothing is an easy category to tackle. You can let go of old clothes you have not worn for some time and shop once you are in your new city. Donate stuffed animals that your kids no longer play with.
Set aside a separate box for personal items and household items that you will let go of. Use a different color packing label for this box to easily identify it as something that will not be loaded in the moving trucks on your moving date.
Same with many things in life, preparation is key, and ingenuity can take you a long way.
2. Make an inventory of what you need to bring and what is inside each box.
This will come in handy especially if you have a lot of small items or appliances with small components. It also helps keep you organized and keep track of where your things are.
For a quick way of keeping an inventory of what is inside each box, assign each box a number. Write this number on the inside and outside flaps. Before you seal the box, take a photo of the contents and its assigned number with your phone.
Double check your packing list to make sure nothing is overlooked or unintentionally left. Make sure no perishables are left in your refrigerator or microwave oven before these are packed in boxes.
3. Rethink your decorations.
Do you really need another framed picture on your wall? Will an additional plant make the space cozy or cluttered? Your new place might not have the same layout or floor area as your old one. There may also be changes in the lighting and the color of the walls. This will affect how you decorate the place. It is worth taking a minute to consider if you still enjoy the same design and style.
4. Prepare an overnight bag of essentials.
This way you do not have to rummage through unpacked boxes on your first night in your new house. After long hours in transit, the last thing you want to do is look for your toothbrush in the middle of the night. Put together all the stuff you need to get through the first 24 hours in your new place: a fresh set of clothes, your toothbrush, any medications, chargers for your devices, coffee, water bottles and even paper plates.
5. Color code boxes and organize your boxes.
This is another easy tip so you can find things quickly. Do not mix kitchen items and bedroom items in one box. Separate furniture and appliance items from tech items like laptops, chargers and wires.
If you hire professional movers, avoid nitpicking and overly detailed instructions.
- Unless you have belongings, which require specific preparations prior to transportation, trust that your movers know what they are doing, especially if they have been in the business for years already.
- Here are the rest of the best packing tips and useful moving tips and tricks for when you decide to DIY:
- Set aside an additional budget in case you need to hire more helpers.
- If you really cannot spare additional funds, enlist your family members and friends to help you.
- Set up a packing station to make things easier.
- Start the preparation and packing as early as possible.
- Engage moving trucks large enough to accommodate whole wardrobes of clothes or cabinets of plates and kitchen appliances.
- Improvise and use existing storage containers in your home. Pack breakables with shrink wrap and plastic wrap. Suitcases and hampers can be used when you run out of cardboard boxes. Dresser drawers can be used in packing clothes. Hanging clothes in your wardrobe box can be a good alternative to transferring them in moving containers.
- Save up on packing materials by getting creative. You can store your stemware and pack glasses in egg cartons. Do not forget to put bunched up paper in the empty spaces between the glassware. Roll area rugs in pack boxes to save space. Ask neighbors if they have small boxes and plastic bags they can spare.
- For jewelry and for household appliances, use the original box they came in when you bought them. Use tissue paper for delicate items and place them in smaller boxes to avoid any empty spaces where the item can bump into the box and cause breakage.
- Pack clothes and other soft items in large garbage bags. Be sure to use different colored stickers and label them to avoid unintentionally throwing away your things.
- Double check your moving checklist regularly throughout the process to ensure you did not miss anything.
Reasons for hiring movers and maximizing their services.
Of course, if you can afford to outsource the many tedious tasks that moving entails and money is not a concern, it would be an easy decision to avoid doing them by yourself. In a way, when you hire professional Kissimmee movers, you get to multiply yourself and distribute errands that do not require your focus. Ask professionals who can expertly pack your belongings with safety and generous bubble wrap so it can arrive at your new home in one piece. Inquire if they offer an hourly rate so you can monitor your expenses before they balloon out of proportion. You can also ask your movers if they can recommend storage places for things you will not bring with you but cannot part with.
Aside from the convenience, hiring moving specialists can save you hours you would spend packing, unpacking, loading and unloading. These can easily add up. You can have time for more important things and appointments like last-minute family gatherings and dinner parties.
Another perk of hiring movers is that they are trained to provide good, quality service. Experience has sharpened their skills. It is expected that they can do the tasks faster than you can and they already have a system to ensure that you will not have to undergo multiple trips. If you have a strict schedule and need to get to your new destination fast, work with professionals who can give you quality service.
Benefit from their expertise. From packing fragile items and wrapping irregularly shaped bulky items and large furniture, a professional team can help you efficiently pack all your items. Most movers are highly trained and experienced so that they can easily assess the right size boxes you will need and if you need extra boxes for your belongings. They know how to wrap your breakables and glassware so that items safely arrive in your new house. Packing for transportation can be quite tricky and anxiety-inducing. If you need to transport your grand piano which has been in your family for generations, hiring movers who are highly skilled in packing can spell the safety of your valuables and even pricey appliances.
Taking away overwhelming tasks from your plate can provide the breathing room you need. We understand that you also need to adjust emotionally and mentally in your new environment. Hiring movers can alleviate and lessen your stress and focus on other things with your new home, like decorating and cleaning your living room.
Lastly, most moving companies have invested in necessary equipment. If you are moving heavy boxes with breakables, chances are, you either need moving dollies, trollies and sometimes, even a forklift to load and unload all your items. It would be impractical to buy this equipment since you will only use it for relocation. Not to mention the prices, which can easily skyrocket and storage you need to think about.
Do not hesitate to ask for help. Contact a reliable moving company.
You can engage an experienced moving helper to make the packing process faster and less overwhelming. They can assist you even on your moving day from loading and unloading to basic errands and general cleaning.
They are skilled at packing bulky appliances and even oddly shaped pieces like musical instruments and sculptures, which can ensure your belongings are safely packed for transit. With the help of the moving experts and the tips above, you are now ready for your move to Kissimmee, Florida!
Linda Barbara has worked in various capacities including as an interior designer, a teacher and the proud owner of a home décor blog, upgradehometutors.com.