Boxes:
- There are an assortment of boxes you can get from Uhaul
- I do not recommend all their products, but I trust their boxes!
- I also recommend getting them From Lowes, and Home Depot
I have seen many boxes and these tend to hold up well because not all boxes are created equal. You’re more than welcome to get them wherever you desire, I have had a bad experience with the boxes that department stores and Storage Facilities Sell.
- You Can also Find Boxes On Amazon, but the quality varies depending on the brand you choose.
Use the smaller boxes for heavy and small items, and larger boxes for lighter and larger items. It’s best to make sure that all boxes are filled so there isn’t any wiggle room.
- Shrink wrap 80 gauge 18" x1500 (1 or 4 pack options)
Shrink/Stretch Wrap is perfect for holding/securing and sealing furniture and blankets to the furniture pieces. There are many times when shrink wrap should and shouldn’t be used. It’s best when using it to hold moving blankets onto furniture, and not to be used directly on wood furniture, or leather furniture. There are many places to get this, the value may vary, We use and trust this product.
Moving Blankets:
- Basic Moving Blanket (Great For mostly everything)
- Mid Grade Moving Blankets(You can slide, and have extra padding)
- Professional Grade Moving Blanket(For Extra Padding for protection and durability for use)
Perfect for covering furniture and covering the Top, front, sides, and the feet, as well as using for maneuvering, and carrying multiple smaller items.
Mattress Bags:
- Lifting Mattress bag with loops for lifting
- Basic Mattress bag
- Thick/Durable Mattress Bag
Labels:
- Whether you're using movers or making the move yourself, it's impossible to remember what is in every box and whether it's fragile or not. Getting labels will make this easy and simple!
Box Cutter:
- Safety Cutter for tape splitting, Stretch wrap, and general Cutter
Markers:
Dolly:
- I Use this one Personally from Home Depot
- I would recommend this one also because you can use it as a cart and not just for hauling boxes around. This Convertible Dolly is also From Home Depot.
Wrapping Paper + Bubble Wrap:
- This is a good brand on Amazon
- Bubble Wrap is perfect for Picture Frames, and glass lamps, and other glass pieces that aren't easily wrapped in Wrapping Paper
Wrapping Paper:
- This is perfect for wrapping and protecting all of your dishes. If it gets to big, then you can wrap, or fill with Wrapping paper.
Ratchet Straps: From Amazon
- Depending on the Truck or POD you or your Movers are using 9 times out of 10 these specific Ratchet Straps have worked well for me.
- Some Trucks E-track slots and you can get e-track straps which is best. However, sometimes when you need to get resourceful, You can use the regular ratchet straps and gook them into the tracks.
We have a Video On How to Use a Ratchet Strap to
strap something to a Dolly
Furniture Sliders:
- These Sliders can be used on both Hardwood and carpet floors:
Felt Pads:
- They are small pieces of fabric that provide a cushion between your hardwood floors, and the wooden legs or plastic cap to keep it from scratching your floors. Felt Pads are a must have!
Floor Protectors:
- An essential tool while moving, expecially as you or your movers are bringing furniture inside, you can lay the Floor Protectors on all major walkways to protect your carpet instead of hiring a carpet cleaners. You can also get the movers Shoe covers, but sometimes and often they do rip off.
Pad Lock
- This Pad Lock is tough and will fit on uhaul and most moving Trucks
- This Super Secure Pad lock may not fit on a Uhaul but is very secure for Storages and locking Trailer Gates:
Disc Lock
- This is a Worded Combination Disc Lock
- This is a Keyed Disc Lock
- For both of these Locks there is a very Unique way of getting them onto some Moving Trucks(with the Flip latch up), but they'll fit. If you don't want to have to worry about it then I recommend you just get a secure Heavy Duty Pad Lock
Cylinder Lock:
1. BOOK EARLY
Great movers book up quickly! So do trucks. Don’t wait until the last minute to find your movers. Take the time to read reviews, gather quotes, ask questions, and get on the books. While you can occasionally find great movers with last minute times available, its way better safe than sorry.
2. GET THE BIGGER TRUCK
….or storage unit, as the case may be. But yes, get the bigger truck. Everyone always has more than they think they do, and getting a bigger truck is usually worth the minimal extra charge to be able to save mileage on only one trip, and load your items without needing a Man and Dolly Expert Level Tetris master! For additional suggestions on truck sizes, visit:
3. BUY THE GOOD BOXES (AND A LIST OF ALL THE OTHER THINGS YOU NEED)
While they may look similar, all boxes are not created equal. We suggest buying new boxes for each move, and making sure that there are pre-cut holes for your hands on each size (even the small). This will make carrying your belongings so much easier. And while it is an awesome money saver, be careful and thoroughly check any second-hand boxes for quality. Small tears get bigger, water damage will definitely lead to problems, and having all your boxes fall apart during your move is just the kind of stress that no one needs. Also, buying boxes that are all the same dimensions can make stacking and packing a truck a lot quicker and easier.
But just how many boxes do you need, you ask? We found a great article at the link below that answers just that question!
https://www.updater.com/moving-tips/how-many-boxes-do-i-need-to-move
And remember – you can usually return boxes when you’re done packing – but having to run out to buy more a couple times can be very frustrating – so overestimate and keep the receipt!
Along with the boxes, you will need tape, box cutters, markers, labels (if you go that route), packing paper, packing tape, furniture slides, felt pads, moving blankets, ratchet straps, and more. For a full checklist of what you need to pack your home, check out the link below: https://livability.com/topics/moving/must-have-packing-and-moving-supplies-checklist
4. SMALLER MAY ACTUALLY BE BETTER
While it may be tempting to throw as many items as you can in large boxes in the hopes of packing quicker, your back will not appreciate your enthusiasm. Smaller boxes are extremely helpful in packing delicate items, so they can be carried by themselves in your arms, as well as heavy items, so you are not having to lift as much at one time. Large boxes are best for light but cumbersome items (coats, blankets, larger picture frames, décor, etc.), and smaller boxes are great for dense and delicate items (dishes, silverware, wine glasses, paperwork, books, etc.).
5. USE ALL THE TAPE
Just about the last thing you need is to do all the hard work of delicately packing and labeling all of your belongings only to have the bottom of every box fall through because the tape didn’t stick to the box well enough. Try to tape like you work for 3M and your paycheck depends on it! We suggest 2-3 strips of tape across where the flaps meet, and 2-3 in the perpendicular direction. Taping in the perpendicular direction helps to reinforce the first layers of tape, and is especially great for boxes with heavier items. Yes, this will require a lot of tape, but it really is worth it. You will, however, want to buy a lot of tape.
6. START EARLY
We suggest starting to pack as far in advance as you can. While you may not want to pack your bathroom essentials and all your clothes a month before you move, we all usually have a coat closet, a china cabinet, a craft room, and/or a garage that go in a box early and not be missed. This helps a lot, because the last few days before a move are hectic, no matter how much you prepare, but it can be a lot less hectic with better planning. It also helps to be able to assess each item you pack to declutter as you go, which brings us to our next tip……
7. DECLUTTER AS YOU GO
Between storage units, larger trucks for moving your items, the cost of professional movers, and/or your physical labor – moving the items you want and need is hard, but moving items you don’t want or need any more is not only time consuming and expensive, but also unnecessary! As you pack, channel your inner Marie Kondo and donate those items that don’t bring you joy. This can help save you time and money, as well as allow you to focus on the important items that you do want and need. For more information on the art of decluttering, we suggest visiting: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/a25846191/what-is-the-konmari-method/
8. GET ORGANIZED
Nothing is more fun than arriving at a new house and not being able to find your best looking shoes for your first day at your new job in a new town – right? Exactly. How about cooking dinner and not being able to find the oven mitt to take your delicious meal out of the oven? Not exactly a dream come true. So help avoid those messes by detailing and labeling your boxes thoroughly. While it might seem excessive to write a detailed list on each box, those extra seconds here and there can save you a lot of headache in the future. It will also help you to tell the movers (or your significant other, as the case may be) where to put each box.
Speaking of determining box destinations, the 2 best systems we have seen are color coding with markers/dots/tape, and a log.
We have had multiple customers that have used various colored labels to indicate box locations, as well as stickers for “Do Not Stack On Top Of,” “Fragile,” “This Side Up” and more. A great package for this can be found here:
We also have many customers that have been happy with a logging system. You simply label each box by location and items, such a 2.1 – 2 for Master bathroom, 1 for cleaning products (or however you choose), and then keep a log detailing the contents of each box. This method is extremely helpful if you also have items in storage, or in multiple PODs or trucks, so you can easily know which location to visit. Pro tip – we suggest emailing yourself the log, once created, so it is not lost in the chaos of moving.
9. SET “LAST ON, FIRST OFF” ITEMS ASIDE
The first night in a new home is incredibly exciting, and usually a huge relief to have reached your destination, but maybe a little stressful. Help keep the excitement alive by labeling a few of your boxes to be set aside with things you will need first – medication, light bulbs, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, hand soap, paper plates and cutlery, shower items, sheets, pillows, clothes for the next day, and any items you think you will need before the bulk of your unpacking can be completed. For a full list of suggested first night items, visit this link:
http://www.housemixblog.com/2014/02/18/moving-part-5-familys-first-night-in-new-house-checklist/
And of course – DON’T FORGET YOUR PHONE CHARGER.
10. BE GENTLE
Our movers are trained to move quickly and be able to maneuver through doors and hallways with ease and efficiency, without breaking a sweat. Okay, maybe a sweat, but definitely not any of your belongings. But if you’re in the process of moving, and you’re most likely feeling the exhaustion that comes with something you only do a few times in your life, be gentle. Pack delicate items with extra card (and bubble wrap), move slowly to work furniture around corners, look at the labels you so tediously added to the boxes, and try not to rush. Rushing is the best way to make a mistake, and you deserve a great move with great results!
Would you like a more in-depth Guide?..
Take a look at Man and Dolly's Mover Created Moving Guide
Guides For Do-It-Yourself Movers
All the information you'll need to prevent, and deal with tight, and tough moves with ease
This is the meat and bones of what you'll need to keep in mind, along with a few bonus tips that'll give you the best move possible.
This is the guide to get for moving day, as a DIY Mover you'll benefit greatly from the insight of a Professional Mover to make the physical move a breeze.
Guides For Professional Movers
Comprehensive guide on how to transition from getting all or most of your jobs on Moving Helper Websites, to Getting Customers to book with you directly
I Created this Checklist to guide to my team to make sure that all procedures are followed so everything that the customer needed done gets done, and we go from location to location, and back to the office will all the equipment we left with. ***There are some references to other procedures that I had in place, that are available**
Get your team on the same pg from maneuvers in tight situations, to the same terminology on a bunch of different tactics, maneuvers, techniques and more! Some you should know, and some you won't.
