Austin is considered one of the fastest developing cities in the country. Its low unemployment rate and equally low cost of living make it an enticing city to settle in, especially for people living outside Texas. The prospect of moving to Austin from out of state will seem overwhelming, and you will need all the packing help you can get. As a fully certified Austin Moving Company, we have put together a few tips on how to pack for moving to prevent damaging your items and valuables.
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The Earlier, The Better
When it comes to packing your items for your big move to Austin, you can guarantee a damage-free move simply by starting as soon as you can. This means you should start packing as soon as you finalize your moving plans or as soon as you get your long distance moving quote. One of the most common reasons why goods are damaged during the moving process is poor packing. People tend to do a hurried and careless job at packing if they’re pressed for time.
We’ve seen so many people who were adamant about moving and packing their items on their own, only to procrastinate until the last minute. They then spend the last two days haphazardly packing items to make it in time for moving day, and the results are less than favorable.
You may think that four weeks before the moving date is a long time, but most professional movers recommend that you start packing a month before your actual long distance move. Start with items that you use rarely, and decide whether you’d like to take these items to your new home or if you’d like to discard them or donate them. If you don’t know where to begin, here are some items that you can pack first.
- Rarely used cutlery and kitchen items
- Seasonal clothes
- Items that have been in storage for a while
- Books
- Decorative items like paintings, vases, and sculptures
In general, you should start packing items that you don’t see yourself using until the moving date and items you’re not even sure you’ll take to your new home. You can start donating and discarding items before the shipping date to help lessen the number of items that have to be loaded and unloaded on the big day.
How To Properly Pack Your Items
When packing your items, here are a few tips to minimize item damage while loading, unloading, and moving:
1. Be ready with your materials
Make sure you are fully prepared with your materials before you start. Some people prefer to do a little bit at a time with whatever material they have. Still, we recommend going out and procuring packing materials instead of using whatever you find around the house. Newly purchased packing materials are more sturdy and durable.
Setting aside a day or two during the weekend to do full-time packing is always better than just packing items absentmindedly whenever you feel like it. Here are some materials you will need:
- Boxes
- Tape (shipping tape or brown tape)
- Cushion materials (bubble wrap, styrofoam, corrugated rolls)
- Void fillers (air cushions, packing peanuts)
- Scissors or cutters
2. Use cushion materials and void fillers adequately to stabilize items
When packing your items, you should not only think about the impact from the outside. You also pack with the mindset that your items should not be colliding against the interior wall of your box. You should always cover the interior wall with styrofoam and bubble wrap and fill in every nook and cranny to ensure that the box’s contents don’t move around while being transported.
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3. Don’t overpack a box
Just because a box is big doesn’t mean you should fill it completely. Boxes may come in an assortment of sizes, but they do have a weight limit. If the contents are too heavy, they may come bursting out of the box no matter how securely you tape your box. While packing, try lifting your boxes now and then to ensure that they’re not too heavy.
4. Use the H method when taping your boxes
When taping your boxes shut, don’t simply tape the two flaps shut. Remember to tape the sides as well, making the H shape while doing so. This ensures that your boxes will be taped securely. Also, when taping your boxes, use tape that’s meant for packagings, such as brown tape or packing tape. Ordinary scotch tape and duct tape may not be enough to keep your items secure.
5. Mark your fragile boxes
Some long distance moving companies provide complete loading and packing services; however, if you decide to do the packing on your own, their job will be limited to loading and unloading your items for you. To make the moving process more accessible and prevent item damage, remember to mark boxes that contain fragile or breakable items. Of course, most professional moving companies will handle all your items with care, but it’s better safe than sorry when it comes to fragile items.
Ask For Assistance When Packing
Long-distance moving can get quite expensive, which is why people tend to save money in every way they can. One way that people save money on long distance moving costs is by doing away with packing services. However, packing can be a monumental task, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, there’s no shame in admitting that you need help.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can ask friends and family for packing help. After learning your plans to move to Austin, you will surely get a few inquiries from well-meaning family members, friends, and co-workers. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help from your loved ones – in most cases, the people around you will be more than happy to do something for you before you move away.
However, if your budget allows for it, we heavily recommend getting complete moving and packing services from professional long distance movers. Nowadays, packing services are affordable, and in some cases, you might even save more money in the long run. With complete packing services, packing materials will be provided, and your items will be appropriately packed and loaded onto the truck to eliminate item collision and damage. Also, long distance moving services come with insurance, so on the off chance your item does get damaged during the move, you will be covered.
If you’re excited about your long distance move, but the task of packing is scary and overwhelming, contact us today to see how we can help make your long-distance move to Austin easier and stress-free.
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