How to Prepare for Movers and Packers

Moving can be both exciting and overwhelming, and hiring Expert movers and packers is a great way to reduce the stress of move day. In this article, we’ll discuss how long it takes to pack a house, how to prepare for movers and packers, and the benefits of hiring a professional moving company. 

How to Prepare to Move

Moving is a great time to downsize your belongings. After all, most people don’t want to spend the time, money, and energy moving items they don’t plan to keep. As you begin to pack, sort your items into keep, donate, and discard piles. Before move day, throw away or donate the items you’re not taking with you. 

As you’re packing items into boxes, make sure you clearly label each box with its contents, as well as the room your box should go to. For example, you might write “bedroom” on your box of clothes, or “kid’s room” on a box of toys. This will help your movers know where the box should be taken when they’re unloading the truck at your new home.

Before your movers arrive, you will also want to clearly label and secure fragile items. If you’re hiring packers from a reputable company, they’ll be trained to do this for you, but if you’re packing yourself, labels are important. Most moving boxes are made of cardboard, and movers might not realize which boxes contain fragile items unless you say so. 

Leave important items like toiletries, medications, documents, and snacks in an easy-to-access backpack or suitcase. You’ll want the most essential items to be easily accessible when you arrive at your new home.

Finally, take care of any last minute tasks like emptying the refrigerator, disconnecting appliances if needed, and performing any final preparations to prepare to move. 

How Long Does It Take to Pack a House?

To figure out how long it will take to pack your house, consider things like the size of your house, the number of belongings, your current level of organization, and if you’ll have help. Packing a big house on your own is going to take a lot longer than packing a small house with friends or family there to assist you. 

The quickest way to pack a house is to hire professional movers and packers to do it for you. Generally, professional packers can box up a house in half the time it takes the average person to do it themselves. This is because professionals have the experience, strength, and equipment needed to make this process go more smoothly. 

Benefits of Hiring Professional Packers and Movers 

Hiring professional packers and movers is one of the best ways to reduce stress, speed up the packing process, and prevent common causes of injury during a move. Professional movers can efficiently pack and move nearly any item, including fragile items and heavy furniture, and they’ll do it in half the time it would take an average individual. Professional movers have equipment like dollies, moving blankets, and moving straps that allow them to work more efficiently. Many professional moving companies offer insurance coverage for your belongings, meaning that if anything is damaged or lost during the move, you’ll be covered. Finally, professional movers are trained to lift heavy items safely, reducing the risk that you or your family are injured during your move. 

Packing Hacks to Maximize Space and Time

If you’ve weighed the pros and cons of hiring packers and have decided to pack your home yourself, there are a few tricks you can use to maximize space while minimizing the time it takes to pack. To start, use items you already own like suitcases, laundry baskets, and storage bins as packing containers to save space and reduce the number of boxes you need to buy. Compress bulky items like bedding, clothing, and linens using vacuum sealed bags to minimize their size. Rather than folding clothes, roll them to save space and prevent wrinkles, packing them tightly into drawers or boxes. As you’re filling boxes, store items vertically, which will make it easier to see what’s inside the box when you are unpacking. Disassemble furniture like bed frames and tables to save space and make them easier to move. Finally, as you’re packing, don’t close your boxes too soon. Instead, pack boxes with large items first, and then fill in any empty gaps with smaller items to take advantage of space and prevent your belongings from shifting during the move.

How to Prepare for the Logistics of Move Day

As you’re preparing for movers and packers, there are a few logistical items to keep in mind that can help the day run smoothly. Always confirm the scheduled time of your mover’s arrival, as well as the contact information for the moving company. Do your best to ensure that walkways are clear for movers to navigate, though if there are heavy items in the way, your movers will be able to help you with this. If necessary, coordinate with building management and street parking. If you live in an urban area with public street parking, you may need to obtain a parking permit for the moving truck, especially if you want to reserve the spots directly outside of your building. Finally, after the movers have finished packing and your house is empty, do a final walkthrough to make sure that nothing has been left behind, utilities are off, and all the doors and windows are shut. Once these items are complete, you’ll be prepared to move. 

Learn More About How Expert Movers Can Help

Outsourcing packing and moving tasks to professionals can greatly reduce the stress associated with moving, reduce the risk of injury to you or your family, and speed up the process. 

Expert Movers is an experienced local moving company based in the Chicagoland area. We serve the entire Illinois area and specialize in local and commercial moves, so whether you are moving down the block or across the state, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to learn more.