It’s that time of year: For-rent and for-sale signs are sprouting like spring flowers and people are madly searching for movers. If you are moving, whether to an apartment or a house, upsizing or downsizing, planning is the most important thing you can do.
• Packing 101.
Start early. Packing always takes longer than people expect, and doing a little each day is much less stressful than trying to do it all right before your movers arrive.
You’re going to need a lot of boxes and packing materials, and I mean a lot. Whatever your estimate is for what you think you need, double it. Really. Check local email groups for postings offering free moving boxes. If you are using a moving company, ask whether the boxes and packing supplies can be dropped off several weeks ahead of your scheduled move date, or order boxes and packing materials online. Make sure you have boxes in a variety of sizes, from book boxes to wardrobe boxes.
Once you’re ready to pack, go room by room and pack similar things together. Start by packing the rooms and items that are not in daily use. Pack your kitchen last, and label each box clearly with the contents and where you want it in your new home. Be as specific about the contents of each box as possible, especially with kitchen items. It will make unpacking so much easier. And even though it should go without saying, don’t pack keys, computers, jewelry or important paperwork. Take them over to the house yourself and put them somewhere safe and out of the way so they’re not misplaced.