If you’re in the process of moving, one of the most important aspects to consider is packing. You don’t want to get started too soon and waste time or money on unnecessary materials, but you also don’t want to wait until the last minute and be rushing to get everything boxed up. So, how do you know when it’s time? In this blog, we provide some tips on determining when the right time is for you to begin packing.
Don't pack too early
The usual advice is to start packing up your house 7 weeks before your move, so you want to avoid packing before this. While it might seem like a good idea to pack up some of your belongings as early as possible, this will only lead to you unpacking and re-packing them later on. Plus, you’ll probably forget where some things are, which will make unpacking at your new home harder than it already is.
But don't leave it too late!
While you don’t want to pack too early, you also don’t want to be leaving it too late. Everyone is different, so it’s best to think about how much stuff you have and how much free time you’ve got to get it all sorted out. If this is your first move (e.g., you’re moving out of the family home) and you don’t have much furniture or belongings yet, you won’t need as long to pack. Packing room by room can help you to keep track of your process and it also makes it easier to remember where you’ve put things.
Avoid packing the essentials first
Never pack your essentials first. Things like your phone, laptop and toiletries (as well as the kettle!) should always be packed last as you’re likely to need them right up until you move. However, in an ideal world, you don’t want to be leaving this until you’re about to walk out of the door, so try and get these packed before the movers arrive – this way, you’re less likely to leave anything behind.
Prepare a timeline for each room
Before you start packing, create a rough timeline for each room so you know how long you’ll realistically need to get everything done. To do this, think carefully about what needs to get packed up in each room.
As a rough guide, start with the garage first – you’ll unlikely need most of the items in this before you move, so you can start packing this up 6-7 weeks before moving day. Next, focus on the attic – if you have a lot of clutter stored up here, now is the time to get rid of it.
Then, focus on any spare rooms and the living room, roughly 2-4 weeks before moving day (you can leave the sofa and TV until closer to the time, though). The bedrooms and kitchen can be packed next, roughly 1-2 weeks before. The bathroom tends to be the most used room in the house, so this can be packed up on the last day. Plus, you’ll probably only take small items with you from this room, so it shouldn’t take long to pack up.
In the end, it’s up to you when you start packing, but the most important thing is that you don’t find yourself in a situation where moving day arrives and you’re really behind. At Bargara Removals, we offer packing and unpacking services to help you get packed up as well as to make sure everything is safe and secure during transit. For further advice about packing for moving home, contact our team today.
