When you are planning a weekend vacation, you are probably not stressed too much about it. It is easy to pack a few t-shirts, a pair of shoes, underwear, and a towel. But, when it comes to packing for long-term vacation, being well organized and the patient is essential. Creating a comprehensive packing list and preparing proper luggage is half of the successful packing process. If you are traveling for a few months or even for a year, consider renting long-term storage where your belongings will be safe until you return to your home. It is not necessary to pack everything you have when you have an opportunity to store all your extra stuff.
Moving can be a stressful time for the family, so plan an interesting move for your tribe. With the right approach and energizing tools, you and your family members can truly enjoy moving to a new home. Read on to learn some ways to make moving fun.
Packing for relocation can be very difficult in itself. Moving being the complex process that it is, you want to make it as easy as possible on yourself. That is the primary reason why most people choose to hire professional moving companies. And that is also the reason why packing musical instruments by yourself can be a mistake. However, in case you have it decided that you want to proceed on your own accord, Divine Moving and Storage have the professional advice you seek. So, here is our divine guide into the challenges of packing musical instruments.
So, you found a new home for your family! You must be very excited, but probably a little bit scared at the same time. Moving in itself is stressful enough, let alone moving with an entire family. Not to mention the difficulties of having to relocate if you have children. The key to prepare your children for moving day is in a good plan and thinking in advance. Give yourself a bit more time than you would if you weren’t a parent. Because you know you are responsible not only for yourself and your personal belongings but for one, two or even more lives. Preparation is key, especially if you are moving to NYC with kids (or some other metropolis). So, let's see if we can guide you through the process.
Moving from one house to another can be a huge and daunting task. You should be as efficient as possible while packing so that your items are well-protected. Moving companies sell cardboard boxes specifically designed for moving household items. Many also rent plastic bins that are suitable for moving to Manhattan. But, when it comes to plastic bins vs cardboard boxes, what should you use? They both have their advantages and disadvantages. We will go through some of them, so you can make your decision.
Unpacking after the move - tips & hints
"Transform 'Where-is-my-toothbrush chaos into a gleeful box fort adventure with Divine Moving's superior unpacking services!"
Unpacking should be the easiest part of the moving process. It is much harder to pack, load the moving truck, drive and unload. Luckily, that is behind you now. All that's left to do is unpack. Easy, right? Think again. You haven't had a day of rest in weeks and all you want to do is take a shower and fall asleep. But you can't do it because everything is still in those boxes. And what if you can't find the stuff you need immediately? Planning ahead is key. Following these steps will make unpacking after the move much easier and more efficient.
Packing before the move
Now, before you get to unpacking after the move you need to pack for the move, and do it properly. If you are reading this before the move and your boxes are still empty, unpacking will be easy, provided that you follow a few simple tips.
- First, you need quality packing supplies. If you buy moving boxes and other supplies from a reputable moving company, you'll know their quality is good. However, you can use the supplies you already have at home or get them for free and still have a smooth relocation.
- Make an inventory of your belongings as you pack, while applying the right packing techniques (otherwise, you'll be unpacking broken pieces).
- Some people even take photos of their items in case something gets lost, damaged or if they can't remember where things go.
- Box up items according to room or purpose and don't forget to label each box. You can color-code or number the boxes, too.
- The boxes you'll want to open first should be loaded onto the truck first and unloaded last. This way, you can take each box directly to the room which it belongs to.
- The best movers in Manhattan can help you pack, label and create a detailed inventory list so you can unpack after the move more easily.
"Leave the bubble wrap popping stress to us. With Divine Moving, we turn your unpacking frowns upside down!"
Before unpacking your stuff, before even bringing your boxes into the new home, you should give it a deep clean. If the previous owners or tenants have already done it, great. However, if there's still visible dirt, your cleaning products should be the first items to unpack after the move. A broom, sponges, paper towels and all-purpose cleaners should be among those items. If you only have time for a quick scrub, at least clean the bathtub, toilet, kitchen cabinets, and the fridge.
Where to start unpacking after the move?
We suggest that you start from the essentials box(es). This box should contain the most important items you'll need immediately upon arrival. For example, toiletries, medications, utensils, a change of clothes, chargers for your phone and laptop, a set of linens for the first night, etc. Moreover, the essentials box should contain your pet's toys, water bowl and bed. It is extremely important to unpack their stuff first to make them feel more comfortable in the new surroundings if moving has made them anxious.
"Who said finding the coffee pot would be an epic journey worthy of its own saga? Divine Moving helps you unpack so you can caffeine up in no time!"
The next box to unpack is your choice. We recommend unpacking room-by-room. If you want to hit the hay right away, start from the bedroom. In case you want to prepare a meal first, head to the kitchen. Of course, the bathroom will be used early on, too. Later, you can move on to the less used rooms, such as the living room and the guest bedroom.
The bedroom
First, have someone help you put the bed together and get the mattress into place. Remember that set of linens in the essentials box? Now is the time to use them. Later, you can install closet organizers and shelves before you start filling them with smaller items.
The kitchen
If there is not enough time to unpack the whole kitchen, unpack only those items you will need soon, like the toaster, coffee maker and coffee mugs. Plug in all major kitchen appliances. Although we do not recommend moving on to the next room until the previous one is finished, you can go back to the kitchen when you have more time.
The bathroom
First off, start heating the water - you'll want to take a shower once you finish unpacking for the day. The first items to unpack after the move should be a couple of towels, soap, shower gel, toothbrush, and toothpaste. The rest should be unpacked as soon as possible.
The furniture
For arranging furniture, you need a systematic plan. Floorplan sketches can help you a lot, so you do not have to do it twice. Many large items, such as pool tables and bookcases, need to be disassembled before moving. In order to assemble furniture, you need strong helpers with experience, preferably professional movers. If you use furniture removal NYC services, a team of trained professionals will take care of this.
A second round of decluttering
We hope you got rid of unwanted items before packing. Still, there might be something else you should get rid of. When you start unpacking after the move, you'll immediately find a place for most of your belongings. However, if it turns out that your new home has less storage space than you thought, or you're simply having second thoughts, it is time to declutter again. When you can't decide whether you still need something, it is probably because you don't. Using Manhattan storage services is a good solution, and so is selling/donating.
No distractions!
Unpack the TV and video games last. They can be a huge distraction. Instead of unpacking after the move, you could end up watching TV for hours. In addition, your kids or grandkids can distract you during the unpacking process. If they are too young, ask someone to take care of them while you unpack. If they are a little older, let them help by unpacking some of their personal belongings. It will keep them entertained and help them beat the moving blues.
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How to pack for storage
Most of us will use a storage unit at least once in our lifetimes. Be it for handling a difficult relocation or for decluttering a house, a storage unit can be a great tool to use. But, in order to use it properly, you have to think of it just as that. A tool. A storage unit is not a magical place where you can carelessly put away your possessions and expect that they will magically remain intact. In order to make the most out of a storage unit you first need to know how to pack for storage. And Divine Moving and Storage NYC are here to help you out.
DIY vs hiring professional packers
Proper packing is probably the most important aspect of your move. By not following proper procedures to protect your belongings, you may receive a batch of broken glass, broken electronics, and damaged items. If you do not have the time or patience to pack up, then you can think about hiring a professional packer. This guide will compare the pros and cons of hiring packers and packing yourself. So that you can come to a more reasonable conclusion: DIY vs hiring professional packers.
When it comes to moving, you probably already know that you should pack systematically. The main thing that you need to do is to label boxes clearly. That way, you will have a much easier time unpacking. But when it comes to packing your kitchen for the move - you probably don't have an idea where to start. So many plates, cutlery, appliances, pots and similar. And of course, you are afraid that you won't pack them correctly and they will come shattered to your new place. But don’t worry - our movers Brooklyn created this simple guide to help you so you can move your whole kitchen with ease!
Where to start when packing your kitchen for the move?
Well, the first thing when it comes to packing your kitchen for the move is to run down all of your food. If you have any food in the freezer, start using it before your move or maybe give it to your friends or donate it. After that, start minimizing your grocery list. Buy only the items that you will use before the moving day. So, the first place to start moving your kitchen is the food!
Sort everything out
Well, this will be a pretty hard task. You will need to sort things that you will keep, throw away or donate. Also, you should make an essentials box, but we will talk about it later. So you need to sort the items that you will be using before the move:
- Plates, cups, cutlery for everyone for two meals
- One saucepan
- Two or three sharp knives
- Coffee maker and toaster (if you use them)
- Dishwasher soap and cleaning materials
The next sorting should be about things that you will carry with you into your new home. You need to check every drawer, cupboard and little-hidden spot to find all the belongings you have. Sort them out and decide what will go into your new home. Also, make sure you have a box ready for all the items you plan on getting rid of.
Essential box
The essential box is a box filled with things that you need on a daily basis. This box will go into the moving truck last. But it will be unpacked first. It should contain a plate for every person in your household, essential cutlery, and at least one pan and pot. That way, you will be able to prepare food and eat, without having to unpack everything. Just in case your unpacking takes longer than you expected.
Packing material is your new best friend
Yes, no matter how you decide to pack your kitchen, you need to have quality packing materials. You need to have good and sturdy boxes, packing paper, packing plastic, cardboard separators for glasses and cups. Markers, tape even packing peanuts. You need to make sure that you have good and quality materials so you can be sure that your belongings will come to your new home in one piece.
Getting all those materials can be a drag and it could cost you a bit more. But you will be glad you spent the time and money when all of your belongings arrive undamaged. Buy lots of packing paper and plastic and enough packing peanuts to fill all your boxes.
Appliances - what to do?
To be honest, the best thing would be if you still have the original boxes and packaging for your appliances. They are designed to provide the best protection during transport and storage. So if you happen to have them, use them. But if you (like most of the people) got rid of them, don’t worry. There are many ways in which you can protect them during transport.
The first thing that you need to do before you start packing your kitchen for the move is to find suitable boxes. Measure the dimensions of your appliances and go to a hardware store. It shouldn’t be hard to find boxes that can fit your appliances.
Once you find the boxes, carefully place the appliance in the box. Make sure that you only have one appliance per box. Otherwise, you risk damaging them. There will probably be a lot of empty space left. Fill it with packing foam or packing peanuts. Make sure that the appliance can wobble around. It should be in the box tightly. Like the first day that you unpacked it.
How to handle fragile glasses and plates?
Packing fragile items is never easy. And it’s never more apparent than when packing your kitchenware. Cups, glasses, plates - they are all very fragile and break easily. So, packing them needs to be done with great care. There are several methods for protecting your fragile items during transport. But here we will go over two of the most popular.
Buy moving boxes designed for glasses
If you’ve ever bought glasses, than you know that they come in a package that separates and protects them. That’s what you’ll be looking for. Both hardware stores and moving companies NYC sell boxes like these. And they give the best possible protection to your fragile items. So, as long as you don’t drop the box, your cups and glasses should be fine.
Improvise
If you can’t find moving boxes with separators for glasses, you can improvise your own solution. Your main goal is to not let glasses, cups, and plates come in contact with each other during transport. You can use many materials to ensure this. One way to go is to wrap your items in plastic wrap. Plastic will dampen the blow and should protect your belongings. Another way is to use your towels. You can save some money on packing materials by wrapping each glass with a towel.
But, no matter how you decide to do it, make sure you don’t mix items when packing your kitchen for the move. Glasses should go in a box with glasses. Plates should go in a box with plates. And never ever mix your glasses or plates with metal items such as cutlery or pots and pans. And, of course, there are always professional packing services NYC.
Establishing A Functional Timeline For Your Move
When you’re planning a move, there are going to be dozens of large and small tasks ahead of you. If you ask people what they think is the most important part of your move, you’ll likely get all kinds of answers. However, professional movers will tell you that it’s creating a functional timeline for your move.For a good move, you should create a “moving checklist”. This will keep you focused and save you a ton of time.
Basically, your moving checklist will just be a glorified “to do” list of what to do and when to do it. While there are some common elements to all moving checklists, keep in mind that each person’s situation will be unique so some customization will be required. Thankfully, most items can be easily modified to fit your needs.
Planning is the key for smooth move
Since not all moving tasks have the same priority, it’s very important to identify and highlight those items that are extremely important so they’re not lost in the hustle and bustle of everything that will be going on. For example, cleaning your bathroom has a somewhat lower priority compared with decluttering the house. This is true because making your house clutter-free is a much larger, more time-consuming task that must be done before considering allowing potential buyers to walk through your home. A bathroom can be made clean and presentable fairly quickly.
You alone will decide the prioritization of your moving tasks, so be sure to leave enough time to complete the tasks that need the most time.
Around 8 weeks before your move, you should:
- Create your moving checklist.
- Call Divine Moving & Storage and reserve your moving team.
- Take an inventory of everything in your home, especially furniture, expensive items, and oversized items.
- Consider selling, giving away, or throwing out any items you no longer need.
- Create a folder of all your important move-related documentation and keep it handy.
Around 6 weeks before your move, you should:
- Gather pet records, school records, and medical/dental records.
- Purchase any needed packing supplies.
- Complete your change of address form either online or at the post office.
- Begin looking for new healthcare providers at your new destination and book any known needed appointments so you’re not waiting too long after you move.
Around 4 weeks before your move, you should:
- Begin packing if you’re not using our full service packing options.
- Find out which items cannot be packed or transported by our movers.
- Begin preparing an “essentials” box.
- Label any boxes you’re packing so you know what they contain when it’s time to unpack them in your new home.
- Cancel any subscriptions, services, and memberships that can’t be transferred to your new address. Put in your change of address for the others.
Around 3 weeks before your move, you should:
- Arrange termination of phone, electric, cable, internet, gas, water, and any other utility services for the day after you move.
- Arrange to have these services started or transferred to you at your new destination so they’re ready on the day you move.
- Make sure your oil change is up to date and complete any needed repairs or maintenance to your car.
Around 2 weeks before your move, you should:
- Reach out to us and confirm everything is still good to go and update us to your status and packing progress.
- Make sure your children and pets will be taken care of on moving day.
Two days before your move, you should:
- Mentally review your plan for moving your valuables.
- Empty, clean, and defrost your refrigerator and freezer. Dry them out and leave the doors open.
- Complete any last-minute packing if needed.
- Complete any other tasks you might be forgetting.
On the day before your move, you should:
- Take any last-minute apartment photos.
- Say your goodbyes with neighbors and friends.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
On the day of your move, you should:
- Make sure your alarm clock is working properly and is set for an early rise.
- Take one last look around for any items you may have forgotten to pack
- Greet your movers, keep communication open.
- Be sure you give the correct address to your movers and include any special instructions related to driving or parking there.
- Lock up when you leave.
- Take pictures of the hall ways and floors to show you left everything scratch and damage free.
When you arrive/shortly after you arrive:
- Begin your unpacking, unless you’ve hired us to a full-service move with unpacking and trash removal.
- Register your vehicles at your new location.
- Get to know your new home, surroundings, and neighbors.
Divine Moving and Storage in NYC is a full-service moving company that’s been operating in New York City since 2000. As New York’s premier moving and storage company. Divine Moving and Storage handles local moves as any storage needs for short or long term. Satisfaction is our number one priority, and we’ll treat you like family. Divine Moving and Storage is fully licensed, certified, and insured, so contact us at 212-244-4011, toll-free at 866-668-7666.
