Pikes Peak Moving & Storage provides full packing and unpacking services for your move. However, if you choose to do your packing, we have provided packing resources that feature ways to save time and money on moving.
When Should I Start Packing?
The sooner the better
Moving is stressful. But careful planning and a timely start to packing is the key to a smooth move. In fact, the best tip we can offer is to start packing early in your moving process. By packing as few as three or four boxes a day you’ll have more than 100 ready by the end of the month.
That might seem like a lot of boxes, but you’ll be amazed at the number of cartons you can fill before moving day. By starting early, you can avoid the stress of packing on moving day.
What Should I Pack First?
Where to start
A room-by-room approach is the most organized way to begin your packing. Each room should have an established work zone for packing and storing completed cartons. Begin with the least used items in areas like garages, attics and basements. As these areas are completed, move to other rooms that tend to have less frequently used items. These include guest rooms, family rooms or living rooms. These areas contain many items such as books and collectibles that are not used every day. The last area to be packed should be the kitchen. Many items here are used on a daily basis — right up to moving day.
What Packing Materials Will I Need?
Most household items — with the exception of blankets, towels and sheets — will need protective wrapping. Be sure to use 3-to-4 inches of crumpled packing paper on the bottom and the top of each carton. While standard cartons are adequate for many household items, we recommend the dishpacks we have available for fragile items such as dishes, china and other breakables that need extra protection.
Protective wrap
There are two types of protective wrap — newsprint and bubble wrap. A good understanding of how to use each will go a long way when it comes to protecting your belongings.
Newsprint — One of your primary packing materials should be newsprint — newspaper that hasn’t been printed on. You should never use regular newspaper for packing because the ink can damage the items you’re packing. Newsprint provides a clean surface and can be used for almost all of your packing needs. You can purchase sheets of newsprint directly from us.
Bubble wrap — For items that require extra protection, bubble wrap offers greater cushioning.
Other materials needed for packing and moving
Tape — High-quality packing tape is a worthwhile investment. Plastic PVC or strapping tape are the
best types for packing. Tape should be 1.5-to-2 inches wide. Strapping tape contains filament strands for added strength and durability.
Marking pen — Your pen is almost as important as what you write with it. Select a heavy permanent ink marker and on top of the carton print the main items you’ve packed inside. On the sides of the carton, indicate which room it’s supposed to go into. If something is fragile, don’t be shy about writing “Fragile” on all four sides. If you’re moving liquids (only those approved for moving) mark all four sides with “This End Up,” and draw arrows in the right direction. It’s also a good idea to write your last name on the side of each box to help the driver identify your cartons at unloading.