Last minute house move - your advice here!
December 9, 2005 11:01 AM Subscribe
How to move house in two weeks or less!
The hard part is out of the way. I've sold the old place, and I've found a new place.
What I'm looking for is advice on how to keep your sanity while you move your stuff. I'm on a wretched deadline - the move is December 18th and I'm right in the middle of finals week.
Please share your best moving tips here!
The hard part is out of the way. I've sold the old place, and I've found a new place.
What I'm looking for is advice on how to keep your sanity while you move your stuff. I'm on a wretched deadline - the move is December 18th and I'm right in the middle of finals week.
Please share your best moving tips here!
I just had a professional move done in a week coast to coast, or so. If I had to do it on the cheap again, I'd say getting packers to pack your stuff is the most important part: they come ready with all the necessary types of packing material, boxes, tape, etc. You can get a bunch of strong guys to move the boxes once they're packed, and then unpack at the new place, but packing just takes TIME.
The packers took about 4 hours for a 2BR townhouse of stuff. Probably would have taken me a week. The movers took about 6 hours to load the stuff, but with a few friends I would have done about the same.
posted by kcm at 11:22 AM on December 9, 2005
The packers took about 4 hours for a 2BR townhouse of stuff. Probably would have taken me a week. The movers took about 6 hours to load the stuff, but with a few friends I would have done about the same.
posted by kcm at 11:22 AM on December 9, 2005
oh and throw out half your stuff before you move. you can. everyone can, and should. it's much easier than "doing it when you unpack" even if someone else is paying and you don't care about how much stuff there is to move.
posted by kcm at 11:26 AM on December 9, 2005
posted by kcm at 11:26 AM on December 9, 2005
Buy yourself a ton of bubble wrap and pack a box every night from here til moving day. You'll probably end up packing at least a few boxes a night since the momentum builds after one box, but even one box at a time works wonders for your mental health. Use towels and out of season clothes to pad boxes, if you like. Play nice music. Pack all your dishes/kitchen stuff first, and buy paper plates and napkins and cups and eat takeout for a couple of weeks.
Never underestimate the amount of crap you own -- call a charity that will come get your decent stuff, set a date, and start filling up boxes for them, too. Throw away/donate stuff you haven't used in the past year. You'll still end up moving to the new place with enough stuff to have a yard sale (which I then had -- I made $500, and then donated all the leftovers). But it's better to get rid of it now, before you move. Be ruthless.
posted by mdiskin at 11:31 AM on December 9, 2005
Never underestimate the amount of crap you own -- call a charity that will come get your decent stuff, set a date, and start filling up boxes for them, too. Throw away/donate stuff you haven't used in the past year. You'll still end up moving to the new place with enough stuff to have a yard sale (which I then had -- I made $500, and then donated all the leftovers). But it's better to get rid of it now, before you move. Be ruthless.
posted by mdiskin at 11:31 AM on December 9, 2005
Best answer: Is it an inter-city or intra-city move? Because the tips differ.
Except this one: Pack a 'First things First' Box / Bag. This is a bag or box that has everything that you will need for the first 24 hours in the new house. I usually put in a shower curtain, bedding (and airmattress if you won't already have your mattress), towel, toiletries, necessary clothes, computer + cables (just so it's safe--ok who am I kidding--so that I can immediately get online, which is good for finding directions to home depot, restaurant, etc.), basic tools, and your folder of important papers (lease, keys, utility info). You should also throw in some crackers, chips, candy, non-perishables.
posted by zpousman at 11:33 AM on December 9, 2005
Except this one: Pack a 'First things First' Box / Bag. This is a bag or box that has everything that you will need for the first 24 hours in the new house. I usually put in a shower curtain, bedding (and airmattress if you won't already have your mattress), towel, toiletries, necessary clothes, computer + cables (just so it's safe--ok who am I kidding--so that I can immediately get online, which is good for finding directions to home depot, restaurant, etc.), basic tools, and your folder of important papers (lease, keys, utility info). You should also throw in some crackers, chips, candy, non-perishables.
posted by zpousman at 11:33 AM on December 9, 2005
I've always packed my own stuff in the past, but have hired professional movers for the heavy lifting the last couple times. Money very well spent.
On packing: Yes, scavenge boxes where you can. But buy as many as you need ahead of time. Don't skimp here. Many lighter-weight boxes are better than fewer heavy monsters. It's also easier to 'live out of' these smaller boxes for a while after the move, as you can put them into their proper rooms.
Also very, very handy is that stretchy plastic film that comes in a roll. You can buy it at truck-rental places, and I imagine other places as well. I only just tried it for the first time my last move. Keeps electronics with cords attached in nice, neat bundles, and keeps small parts of things from getting separated from bigger parts. Great stuff!
I agree, don't stress, just do it. But especially in a time crunch, spend the money and do it right. You can keep the boxes in storage, or give them away to grateful friends. Good luck.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:35 AM on December 9, 2005 [1 favorite]
On packing: Yes, scavenge boxes where you can. But buy as many as you need ahead of time. Don't skimp here. Many lighter-weight boxes are better than fewer heavy monsters. It's also easier to 'live out of' these smaller boxes for a while after the move, as you can put them into their proper rooms.
Also very, very handy is that stretchy plastic film that comes in a roll. You can buy it at truck-rental places, and I imagine other places as well. I only just tried it for the first time my last move. Keeps electronics with cords attached in nice, neat bundles, and keeps small parts of things from getting separated from bigger parts. Great stuff!
I agree, don't stress, just do it. But especially in a time crunch, spend the money and do it right. You can keep the boxes in storage, or give them away to grateful friends. Good luck.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:35 AM on December 9, 2005 [1 favorite]
I'd like to follow benjh's sentiment. You are in the middle of finals week, which means you are relatively educated and capable of most major biological or operative functions (i.e. keg stands and chinese firedrills).
This is not that far off, I think you will benefit greatly from a shopping trip. That's right, shopping. But this is more of the home depot kind of shopping, where you will pick up 5 rolls of grey duct tape. Why 5 you ask? Because that's how many come in a pack.
Next, use some of that backbone-internet connection to cruise to your nearest craigslist and post looking for boxes. Yes, boxes. Chances are, some other poor soul, somewhere near you, replaced someone else like you and et cetera ad naseum.
And like the great benjh just said, take said boxes from point A to point B. Or Point A to B to C, if B is a party with a chance to show off, yes, your keg stand.
posted by omidius at 11:37 AM on December 9, 2005
This is not that far off, I think you will benefit greatly from a shopping trip. That's right, shopping. But this is more of the home depot kind of shopping, where you will pick up 5 rolls of grey duct tape. Why 5 you ask? Because that's how many come in a pack.
Next, use some of that backbone-internet connection to cruise to your nearest craigslist and post looking for boxes. Yes, boxes. Chances are, some other poor soul, somewhere near you, replaced someone else like you and et cetera ad naseum.
And like the great benjh just said, take said boxes from point A to point B. Or Point A to B to C, if B is a party with a chance to show off, yes, your keg stand.
posted by omidius at 11:37 AM on December 9, 2005
Best answer: Just a small point for the box of essentials: you need a curtain rod, too.
posted by dame at 11:43 AM on December 9, 2005
posted by dame at 11:43 AM on December 9, 2005
If both locations are in the same town or city, allow a couple days of overlap where you can access both places.
On your first overlap day, move the small, fragile things that you wouldn't know how to pack or trust a mover to move. Also bring in the basics to make your new place tolerable: toilet paper, sodas, lights, soap, etc.
Then when you move, plan to use one room as storage for all the boxes you won't need access to in the first couple weeks. LABEL boxes so the movers know what room they go into. Ideally, only a few boxes should go in each room, and all the others will go into the storage room. You'll have very little to unpack before feeling like you're settled in, and then you can get to the piles of other boxes later.
posted by kdern at 11:44 AM on December 9, 2005
On your first overlap day, move the small, fragile things that you wouldn't know how to pack or trust a mover to move. Also bring in the basics to make your new place tolerable: toilet paper, sodas, lights, soap, etc.
Then when you move, plan to use one room as storage for all the boxes you won't need access to in the first couple weeks. LABEL boxes so the movers know what room they go into. Ideally, only a few boxes should go in each room, and all the others will go into the storage room. You'll have very little to unpack before feeling like you're settled in, and then you can get to the piles of other boxes later.
posted by kdern at 11:44 AM on December 9, 2005
Best answer: I'm a (formerly) notorious box hoarder. Seriously. I moved so many times over the course of about 10 or 12 years that I had a special closet devoted to my boxes. Anytime I could scavenge a good box, it would go in the closet. I used to open the door and just gaze at them for awhile, sometimes. Good times, me and my boxes.
Then BOOM! I threw them all out after about the 8th move, and in preparation for the 9th move (which I also had to do in about a week in the midst of work/school/holiday craziness this time last year myself!) I just went to a moving supply store and bought about 30 brand, spanking new boxes: 3 or 4 large wardrobe boxes, 3 or 4 dish boxes, a dozen or so book boxes, and a dozen or so boxes in the next size up from the book boxes. Then I went home and packed in about 3 days.
The great thing about having all those new boxes was that they were all clean and solid, plus a limited number of sizes -- all of which made packing and stashing remarkably easier than it had ever been before. The wardrobe boxes were a particular boon: I could just lift out whole armfuls of clothes from my closet and hang them in the box immediately -- no folding, no worries about packing the stupid hangers separately, super-easy to unpack at the new place. The wardrobe boxes alone must have saved hours and hours.
I also made the decision to hire movers (instead of pressing friends/family members into service), so that I could keep my own packing to a minimum. Basically, I packed my clothes, my books, my CDs, and my dishes. I also got a big steamer/storage trunk for a bunch of random stuff -- photo albums, goofy knickknacks, unfinished knitting projects -- and just threw them in the trunk. All the other stuff that was left over was up to the movers to pack as they were hauling the furniture. And oh yeah, I didn't bother to pack the clothes that were in my bureau; I just duct-taped the drawers closed, and the movers hauled the bureau/clothes together.
So my point is this: when time is of the essence, I've learned that it's totally worth it to spend the money for the sheer convenience of getting all your boxes and supplies in one go, and paying movers to do whatever's left over.
(Also, given that Tis The Season, you may want to think about not worrying about gifts till after you've moved. That may mean you buy a lot of stuff on Amazon all in one go a day or two after you get into the new place, and pay the extra for shipping; or it may mean that this year, you just give a lot of baked goods and gift certificates. Whatever will take the pressure of you right now is key!)
posted by scody at 12:07 PM on December 9, 2005 [2 favorites]
Then BOOM! I threw them all out after about the 8th move, and in preparation for the 9th move (which I also had to do in about a week in the midst of work/school/holiday craziness this time last year myself!) I just went to a moving supply store and bought about 30 brand, spanking new boxes: 3 or 4 large wardrobe boxes, 3 or 4 dish boxes, a dozen or so book boxes, and a dozen or so boxes in the next size up from the book boxes. Then I went home and packed in about 3 days.
The great thing about having all those new boxes was that they were all clean and solid, plus a limited number of sizes -- all of which made packing and stashing remarkably easier than it had ever been before. The wardrobe boxes were a particular boon: I could just lift out whole armfuls of clothes from my closet and hang them in the box immediately -- no folding, no worries about packing the stupid hangers separately, super-easy to unpack at the new place. The wardrobe boxes alone must have saved hours and hours.
I also made the decision to hire movers (instead of pressing friends/family members into service), so that I could keep my own packing to a minimum. Basically, I packed my clothes, my books, my CDs, and my dishes. I also got a big steamer/storage trunk for a bunch of random stuff -- photo albums, goofy knickknacks, unfinished knitting projects -- and just threw them in the trunk. All the other stuff that was left over was up to the movers to pack as they were hauling the furniture. And oh yeah, I didn't bother to pack the clothes that were in my bureau; I just duct-taped the drawers closed, and the movers hauled the bureau/clothes together.
So my point is this: when time is of the essence, I've learned that it's totally worth it to spend the money for the sheer convenience of getting all your boxes and supplies in one go, and paying movers to do whatever's left over.
(Also, given that Tis The Season, you may want to think about not worrying about gifts till after you've moved. That may mean you buy a lot of stuff on Amazon all in one go a day or two after you get into the new place, and pay the extra for shipping; or it may mean that this year, you just give a lot of baked goods and gift certificates. Whatever will take the pressure of you right now is key!)
posted by scody at 12:07 PM on December 9, 2005 [2 favorites]
You might want to take a look at this November 27, 2005 question on Metafilter:
Moving to my first house in a week. Any last minute tips? I've already hired movers and cleaners.
posted by WestCoaster at 12:25 PM on December 9, 2005
Moving to my first house in a week. Any last minute tips? I've already hired movers and cleaners.
posted by WestCoaster at 12:25 PM on December 9, 2005
Response by poster: You people are magnificent. Keep 'em coming - so far they're *all* best answers. It's a move of about 35 miles (Monrovia to West Hollywood) and since I do have the proceeds from the sale of the house I'm all about purchasing convenience.
I'm just worried about skipping something roaringly obvious. In my last move I neglected to do an idiot check and lost the contents of my coat closet and did without cable modem for a week - a week I tell you - due to procrastination.
To-do checklists are welcomed.
posted by Space Kitty at 12:30 PM on December 9, 2005
I'm just worried about skipping something roaringly obvious. In my last move I neglected to do an idiot check and lost the contents of my coat closet and did without cable modem for a week - a week I tell you - due to procrastination.
To-do checklists are welcomed.
posted by Space Kitty at 12:30 PM on December 9, 2005
I've had to move three times in the last few months (twice without professional movers).
My advice:
Take down anything that can be disassembled. Flat pack as much as you can. Bubble wrap for furniture, but packing paper for everything else (two layers of packing paper per item).
You want to buy lots of boxes, and preferably all of the same dimensions (makes packing easier than with assorted sizes).
Pack stuff from the same rooms into boxes - so you have some "Bedroom" boxes, some "Kitchen" boxes etc. Similar items from these rooms should go together - e.g books, china, glass. You'll want to mark well on each box what stuff inside is, because you may not have time to unpack everything when you first move in, so you don't want to be hunting around for stuff. So "Bedroom, Bedding (Pillows)" would be good. "Bedroom - Stuff" less so.
Mark fragile stuff as such, and make sure you don't stack stuff on top of them. If the box isn't full, put bubble wrap/packing paper (whatever you have most of) on the top, otherwise the box will be crushed when you stack stuff (applies to anything, not just fragile).
If you're doing everything yourself, get a nice dolly (get one with a rope around the middle, so you can strap stuff on). If the place you're moving into is an appartment complex or something, see if you can borrow the dolly that bellboys use - four wheeled, rail along the top. You can move so many boxes with that it's unreal.
When you move in, you want to place boxes that belong in each room in each room. Sure, you'll have to vacuum the rooms when you're done, but then you don't have to cart everything around your new place. Oh, and put a rug down on stairs/hallways with carpet - you'll be in and out the house, so you don't want to get too much dirt on your carpet. Rugs over bannisters are good to prevent damage as well.
Oh, and have a suitcase/sportsbag with clothes, toiletries etc enough for two days that goes in your car. That way, even if your stuff is still in boxes, you can get on with your life.
And finally, I cannot recommend enough Door-To-Door storage. They dump a container on your drive/street, and come and pick it up when you specify. I U-Hauled my stuff around, but anything that was stored went with them.
posted by djgh at 12:36 PM on December 9, 2005
My advice:
Take down anything that can be disassembled. Flat pack as much as you can. Bubble wrap for furniture, but packing paper for everything else (two layers of packing paper per item).
You want to buy lots of boxes, and preferably all of the same dimensions (makes packing easier than with assorted sizes).
Pack stuff from the same rooms into boxes - so you have some "Bedroom" boxes, some "Kitchen" boxes etc. Similar items from these rooms should go together - e.g books, china, glass. You'll want to mark well on each box what stuff inside is, because you may not have time to unpack everything when you first move in, so you don't want to be hunting around for stuff. So "Bedroom, Bedding (Pillows)" would be good. "Bedroom - Stuff" less so.
Mark fragile stuff as such, and make sure you don't stack stuff on top of them. If the box isn't full, put bubble wrap/packing paper (whatever you have most of) on the top, otherwise the box will be crushed when you stack stuff (applies to anything, not just fragile).
If you're doing everything yourself, get a nice dolly (get one with a rope around the middle, so you can strap stuff on). If the place you're moving into is an appartment complex or something, see if you can borrow the dolly that bellboys use - four wheeled, rail along the top. You can move so many boxes with that it's unreal.
When you move in, you want to place boxes that belong in each room in each room. Sure, you'll have to vacuum the rooms when you're done, but then you don't have to cart everything around your new place. Oh, and put a rug down on stairs/hallways with carpet - you'll be in and out the house, so you don't want to get too much dirt on your carpet. Rugs over bannisters are good to prevent damage as well.
Oh, and have a suitcase/sportsbag with clothes, toiletries etc enough for two days that goes in your car. That way, even if your stuff is still in boxes, you can get on with your life.
And finally, I cannot recommend enough Door-To-Door storage. They dump a container on your drive/street, and come and pick it up when you specify. I U-Hauled my stuff around, but anything that was stored went with them.
posted by djgh at 12:36 PM on December 9, 2005
To-do?
Inventory your house. Make an Excel spreadsheet or something. Mark stuff as you pack it, and then strike it off as you unpack it.
Maybe assign one room per evening to be packed. Do everything in stages. For your bedroom , pack your clothes early. You'll have way more than you'll need in the runup to the move. Likewise kitchen utensils. Have as little possible to gather up and dump in your car.
Once you're out your house, check twice. Be as thorough as you can, and (if this makes sense), in a way you wouldn't normally move around your house. You want to avoid being familiar, so you don't just skip over something.
If you're purchasing convenience, hire removal men.
posted by djgh at 12:41 PM on December 9, 2005
Inventory your house. Make an Excel spreadsheet or something. Mark stuff as you pack it, and then strike it off as you unpack it.
Maybe assign one room per evening to be packed. Do everything in stages. For your bedroom , pack your clothes early. You'll have way more than you'll need in the runup to the move. Likewise kitchen utensils. Have as little possible to gather up and dump in your car.
Once you're out your house, check twice. Be as thorough as you can, and (if this makes sense), in a way you wouldn't normally move around your house. You want to avoid being familiar, so you don't just skip over something.
If you're purchasing convenience, hire removal men.
posted by djgh at 12:41 PM on December 9, 2005
Having just moved from LA (packing and moving in a week!) I have a couple of tips:
1) Get NEW boxes. I bought mine at Papermart.com, which was fantastic. Great boxes, great prices, and free delivery in LA. Can't be beaten. Used ones are a pain to deal with. Spend a hundo and get new ones, a tape gun, etc.
2) Get lots of newsprint. Like 30 pounds. I did three moves in two years, and this was leaps and bounds easier thanks to an excess of newsprint. It whomps ass over bubble wrap or those custom-padded bags for dishes and stuff. I cut my kitchen-packing time in half, easily, by using newsprint everywhere. Do a search for how to pack dishes and glasses -- there's a great method, using newsprint, to stack dishes and then box them on their side. Easy and quick.
3) Since it's an in-town move, get load/unload help and drive yourself. I've used eMove (by UHaul) three times and had great experiences. It is a very secure, very trustworthy site -- all moving help is rated and reviewed ONLY by people who have paid for their services. And the emove site serves as escrow agent for your money. Plus the loaders usually come with their own dollies, wraps, and truck-packing knowledge.
4) Oh yeah, rent furniture blankets. Or, if you can swing it, find a shady U-Haul employee early one weekend and buy yourself a couple packs.
Otherwise, the overall best advice is just get your ass going!
posted by johndavi at 12:44 PM on December 9, 2005
1) Get NEW boxes. I bought mine at Papermart.com, which was fantastic. Great boxes, great prices, and free delivery in LA. Can't be beaten. Used ones are a pain to deal with. Spend a hundo and get new ones, a tape gun, etc.
2) Get lots of newsprint. Like 30 pounds. I did three moves in two years, and this was leaps and bounds easier thanks to an excess of newsprint. It whomps ass over bubble wrap or those custom-padded bags for dishes and stuff. I cut my kitchen-packing time in half, easily, by using newsprint everywhere. Do a search for how to pack dishes and glasses -- there's a great method, using newsprint, to stack dishes and then box them on their side. Easy and quick.
3) Since it's an in-town move, get load/unload help and drive yourself. I've used eMove (by UHaul) three times and had great experiences. It is a very secure, very trustworthy site -- all moving help is rated and reviewed ONLY by people who have paid for their services. And the emove site serves as escrow agent for your money. Plus the loaders usually come with their own dollies, wraps, and truck-packing knowledge.
4) Oh yeah, rent furniture blankets. Or, if you can swing it, find a shady U-Haul employee early one weekend and buy yourself a couple packs.
Otherwise, the overall best advice is just get your ass going!
posted by johndavi at 12:44 PM on December 9, 2005
I'm just worried about skipping something roaringly obvious.
This reminds me: one of the things I perpetually forget to take care of is artwork -- I have lots of stuff framed and under glass, as well as some small sculptures, and inevitably they're all just there till the last minute, at which point I start frantically scrambling for bubble wrap.
The last time, though, the movers just pulled it all off the wall and wrapped everything up in layers of furniture blankets. So (if this applies to you) you can either let movers handle it, or you can plan to bubble-wrap and/or use any spare blankets of your own in the meantime yourself. Just don't forget to figure out ahead of time how you want to handle it, depending on how breakable/valuable it may be.
And oh yeah, definitely label any boxes you pack (and label them on multiple sides of the box, so if they're all shoved up against a wall you won't have to pull them out to see what's what!). I have so many books that I even labeled my book boxes by type ("novels and plays" vs. "history and bios," for example) so that I could unpack and arrange them more quickly.
posted by scody at 12:51 PM on December 9, 2005
This reminds me: one of the things I perpetually forget to take care of is artwork -- I have lots of stuff framed and under glass, as well as some small sculptures, and inevitably they're all just there till the last minute, at which point I start frantically scrambling for bubble wrap.
The last time, though, the movers just pulled it all off the wall and wrapped everything up in layers of furniture blankets. So (if this applies to you) you can either let movers handle it, or you can plan to bubble-wrap and/or use any spare blankets of your own in the meantime yourself. Just don't forget to figure out ahead of time how you want to handle it, depending on how breakable/valuable it may be.
And oh yeah, definitely label any boxes you pack (and label them on multiple sides of the box, so if they're all shoved up against a wall you won't have to pull them out to see what's what!). I have so many books that I even labeled my book boxes by type ("novels and plays" vs. "history and bios," for example) so that I could unpack and arrange them more quickly.
posted by scody at 12:51 PM on December 9, 2005
If you decide to rent a truck at any point, use Ryder if you can. They are reliable and decent. UHaul has a nasty little secret: they don't actually take reservations. You call to reserve a truck for a certain date and they say "okay" but they just continue renting trucks on a first-come-first-served basis. You show up on the appointed day and if there are any trucks, you are good to go. If not, SOL!
posted by scarabic at 1:30 PM on December 9, 2005
posted by scarabic at 1:30 PM on December 9, 2005
Pack a suitcase for clothes and toiletry items for you to use up until the move. Use and reuse items only from this suitcase. In the past, this has really made me focus on not packing the *essentials* and be able to pack other "short term items" such as clothes, shoes, and bathroom "stuff". It may mean you wear the same 3 shirts for two weeks, but you'll be so busy who cares if you're grubby.
posted by like_neon at 1:31 PM on December 9, 2005
posted by like_neon at 1:31 PM on December 9, 2005
1. Costco (at least mine) has a good deal on a "moving pack" of boxes. Not sure if this includes boxes for flat art; if not, get them from a storage or moving place. You can often dumpster-dive good boxes from a recycling dumpster at a big-box bookstore.
2. You'll need lots of newsprint. I needed 15 lb for my last move, and I travel pretty light.
3. When in doubt, throw it out. Or donate it. Or list it on craigslist (although that can be time consuming itself).
4. Get good tape. Do not use duct tape, use clear packing tape--duck brand is good. Get a few rolls. Also get a good tape gun or two (if you have a SO). Mark every box clearly with the contents--I put a mini-inventory on every box.
5. Pack like things with like. Clothes with clothes, books with books, etc. I used to work at a Mail Boxes Etc--I've packed more boxes than you can imagine. This is what works.
6. If you have any high-value items, take lots of pictures, lets the movers screw them up. Also, movers can be dishonest. Check around locally for a reliable one.
7. A hand-truck can be very handy for boxes, a dolly is handy for moving furniture (even after the movers leave) and only costs about $25. Worth it.
posted by adamrice at 2:12 PM on December 9, 2005
2. You'll need lots of newsprint. I needed 15 lb for my last move, and I travel pretty light.
3. When in doubt, throw it out. Or donate it. Or list it on craigslist (although that can be time consuming itself).
4. Get good tape. Do not use duct tape, use clear packing tape--duck brand is good. Get a few rolls. Also get a good tape gun or two (if you have a SO). Mark every box clearly with the contents--I put a mini-inventory on every box.
5. Pack like things with like. Clothes with clothes, books with books, etc. I used to work at a Mail Boxes Etc--I've packed more boxes than you can imagine. This is what works.
6. If you have any high-value items, take lots of pictures, lets the movers screw them up. Also, movers can be dishonest. Check around locally for a reliable one.
7. A hand-truck can be very handy for boxes, a dolly is handy for moving furniture (even after the movers leave) and only costs about $25. Worth it.
posted by adamrice at 2:12 PM on December 9, 2005
One additional thing that has consistently helped our sanity is jotting down the contents of each box in a notebook, then assigning the box a number. This is written on all 4 sides of the box and on the top of the box using a giant marker.
This is easier than writing out the contents ON the box, since most box manufacturers seem to smear logos and pictures ALL OVER the damn boxes (U-Haul boxes are really bad about this).
The great thing is when you get to your destination all tired, there's no big hurry to unpack, and when you need an item, you can just fish out the box you need. No more rooting around through multiple boxes.
posted by rolypolyman at 2:47 PM on December 9, 2005
This is easier than writing out the contents ON the box, since most box manufacturers seem to smear logos and pictures ALL OVER the damn boxes (U-Haul boxes are really bad about this).
The great thing is when you get to your destination all tired, there's no big hurry to unpack, and when you need an item, you can just fish out the box you need. No more rooting around through multiple boxes.
posted by rolypolyman at 2:47 PM on December 9, 2005
Just some samples of what I write above from our last move (with annotations where they were placed in storage at our destination):
K-6 Bottles of flavored syrup (#407 RIGHT AISLE NR MIDDLE)
K-10 Liquor bottles, stainless steel bottles, glass pasta jars, aprons, whip cream maker (#407 RIGHT MIDDLE WALL STACK)
K-14 Cutting board, blue trays, lasagna dish, platter, stuff from drawer next to fridge (#405 RIGHT ON ENTERTAINMENT CENTER MAY22)
K-15 Blue mix bowls, glass cake plate, teapot (#407 LEFT MIDDLE NEAR WALL AHD OF BABYCHG)
posted by rolypolyman at 2:50 PM on December 9, 2005
K-6 Bottles of flavored syrup (#407 RIGHT AISLE NR MIDDLE)
K-10 Liquor bottles, stainless steel bottles, glass pasta jars, aprons, whip cream maker (#407 RIGHT MIDDLE WALL STACK)
K-14 Cutting board, blue trays, lasagna dish, platter, stuff from drawer next to fridge (#405 RIGHT ON ENTERTAINMENT CENTER MAY22)
K-15 Blue mix bowls, glass cake plate, teapot (#407 LEFT MIDDLE NEAR WALL AHD OF BABYCHG)
posted by rolypolyman at 2:50 PM on December 9, 2005
Buy a bunch of Magic Markers or fat Sharpies, bubble wrap for the bottom of any box with fragile stuff, a lot of packing paper and lots of clear packing tape. Pack books and china, glass, etc. in small to medium boxes, so they're not too heavy. It would be nice to be perfectly organized, but you won't have time. Label the boxes with content and destination room, or the number system, but do label them. Give yourself a reward after every milestone, whether it's after every bookcase, or whatever. Pack the music last; you need music to keep you going. Good luck!
posted by theora55 at 6:20 PM on December 9, 2005
posted by theora55 at 6:20 PM on December 9, 2005
What everyone else said, and definitely don't forget to get several fat sharpies! I'm not organized enough to keep a spreadsheet, but I do label boxes obsessively. Only one other tip - I put a layer of books on the bottom of almost every box and then pack knick knacks, small art work, etc., wrapped in newspaper on top of them. That way you don't end up with unliftably heavy boxes of books. Or, well, with less such boxes. And throw away, throw away, throw away, and clean as you go. If you have movers, try to empty out a room, and put your survival kit, pets, pet supplies and whatever else you must move yourself in there, then close the door and put a big STAY OUT sign on it. Professional movers will move everything - including the cat box you were planning to leave for last, complete with turds. Don't forget to change your address, too. The post office used to have a surprisingly helpful little booklet that came with the change forms; it had checklists and stuff.
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:09 PM on December 9, 2005
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:09 PM on December 9, 2005
I handled a move once by going nighttime dumpster-diving for used boxes. Got all the way to Seattle before I realized that several of the boxes were taken from behind a women's clinic, and proudly displayed that they once held "Acme Pap Smear Kits."
So here's another second for buying good, strong boxes -- the kind that unfold really easily.
posted by frogan at 8:49 PM on December 9, 2005
So here's another second for buying good, strong boxes -- the kind that unfold really easily.
posted by frogan at 8:49 PM on December 9, 2005
I am the Queen of Moving being as I have done so 12 times in the past five years and two of those occasions were transatlantic.
Others have said it, I'm saying it again:
GET. RID. OF. IT.
If you look at something and wonder "Did I get this from dear old Aunt Jeanie? Should I save it?" The answer is no. Before the truck comes to move your stuff, take your own truck or car or whatever and load it up with stuff for the Salvation Army. Or pawn it off on friends who desperately need whatever crap you have accumulated in your life. Just get rid of it. You will always accumulate more crap later.
Oh, and:
I put a layer of books on the bottom of almost every box and then pack knick knacks, small art work, etc., wrapped in newspaper on top of them.
YES! This is the way to go. I've used this method after finding that filling a box entirely with books was just too heavy to lift. This method is also great for shipping, provided you use enough newspaper.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 12:55 AM on December 10, 2005
Others have said it, I'm saying it again:
GET. RID. OF. IT.
If you look at something and wonder "Did I get this from dear old Aunt Jeanie? Should I save it?" The answer is no. Before the truck comes to move your stuff, take your own truck or car or whatever and load it up with stuff for the Salvation Army. Or pawn it off on friends who desperately need whatever crap you have accumulated in your life. Just get rid of it. You will always accumulate more crap later.
Oh, and:
I put a layer of books on the bottom of almost every box and then pack knick knacks, small art work, etc., wrapped in newspaper on top of them.
YES! This is the way to go. I've used this method after finding that filling a box entirely with books was just too heavy to lift. This method is also great for shipping, provided you use enough newspaper.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 12:55 AM on December 10, 2005
I put a layer of books on the bottom of almost every box and then pack knick knacks, small art work, etc., wrapped in newspaper on top of them.
This is a clever idea for making boxes more liftable, but I find it a pain in the ass when it comes time to unpack. In the past, I had done a lot of this kind of thing -- distributing heavy stuff across many boxes, using clothing or tablecloths as padding -- but the last time, I decided that I would pack entirely with an eye to putting related things together for the sake of unpacking. I used a lot more purchased padding material (newsprint, mainly, which is really fantastic), and for books, smaller boxes than you might think, but I was so, so, SO much happier when it came time to move in at the new place.
posted by redfoxtail at 7:55 AM on December 10, 2005
This is a clever idea for making boxes more liftable, but I find it a pain in the ass when it comes time to unpack. In the past, I had done a lot of this kind of thing -- distributing heavy stuff across many boxes, using clothing or tablecloths as padding -- but the last time, I decided that I would pack entirely with an eye to putting related things together for the sake of unpacking. I used a lot more purchased padding material (newsprint, mainly, which is really fantastic), and for books, smaller boxes than you might think, but I was so, so, SO much happier when it came time to move in at the new place.
posted by redfoxtail at 7:55 AM on December 10, 2005
Just one more comment for unpacking at the other end... I came to my new house a couple of days before the actual move and lined my drawers/cupboards. More importantly, I LABELED each drawer/shelf with what should go there. This greatly helps when unpacking -- other people can help unpack while you go wrangle with movers or friends who need help figuring out where the other boxes go.
Seriously, this cut off, like, days of unpack-time. I just used a sheet of notebook paper and wrote words on it like "cookie sheets/racks" and "coffee cups," and tucked the bits of paper onto the shelf or into the drawer.
posted by mdiskin at 10:07 AM on December 10, 2005
Seriously, this cut off, like, days of unpack-time. I just used a sheet of notebook paper and wrote words on it like "cookie sheets/racks" and "coffee cups," and tucked the bits of paper onto the shelf or into the drawer.
posted by mdiskin at 10:07 AM on December 10, 2005
Aside from the fact that mixing books with other stuff is a recipe for breaking the other stuff, and will make it harder to unpack, your movers do not care how heavy your boxes are.
In fact, since they probably charge you per-box (not per-pound), it is in your interest to assemble few heavy boxes rather than many light ones. Obviously allowing for your ability to wrassle it, integrity of the box, etc.
posted by adamrice at 11:33 AM on December 10, 2005
In fact, since they probably charge you per-box (not per-pound), it is in your interest to assemble few heavy boxes rather than many light ones. Obviously allowing for your ability to wrassle it, integrity of the box, etc.
posted by adamrice at 11:33 AM on December 10, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
Get lots of boxes. Throw every last bit of crap in those boxes. Move said boxes. Unpack boxes when you get to the new place.
Your mileage may vary depending on how much crap you own, but I had a medium amount of crap.
My point? Don't stress it. Just move, and not worry about the details of moving. All you need is boxes, tape, and the ability to stay one step before your wits end.
posted by benjh at 11:06 AM on December 9, 2005 [1 favorite]