Now that you've used a mountain of boxes and tape, your garage resembles a distribution center, and you're dining on paper plates with forks you took from the fast food joint, the easy part is over. Now that you're all packed up, a day or two ahead of the move itself, it's time to deconstruct.
You'll most likely require a ladder for the next to-do items, along with the tools listed in our last post. If you have had large window coverings you will probably need some wood filler, too. If you are moving yourself, you will need moving blankets, baggies or small containers, and plastic wrap on a large spool for furniture, mirrors, art and lighting.
Be Flexible and Plan Ahead
Packing for a move takes quite a while, and you should plan for that if you are going to handle it yourself. A large dry-erase calendar should help you stay on track, and you can edit it in the event of changes. There are three stages of a move--purging, packing, and the move itself--and keeping on top of steps 1 and 2 will make step 3 a lot less nerve-reacking.
One of the biggest blunders you can make as a pack-it-yourselfer is putting too much in boxes. Books are the worst culprit; they're relatively small but they're heavy. Four or five hardbacks is sufficient for a small box, so fill in the rest of the box with lighter weight accessories--coasters, photos, magazines--that will go back in the same room or bookcase with the books themselves.
The Day Before Moving Day in El Paso
Now that the big day is tomorrow, it's time to tackle the pantry and the fridge. Unless you’re moving right around the corner, you should probably take all the unopened non-perishables to a food pantry, and toss the rest. For a short trip, you can place perishables in coolers containing dry ice, but food is a lot like your other items--is unpacking those half-empty jelly jars worth your time?
Movers frequently want the art and mirrors wrapped in bubble wrap or crated before they load them. If not, you still need to cover each piece (flannel sheets, beach towels, etc. work great between pieces) and move them in your car instead of the moving truck. You can secure lighting with a seatbelt if you're moving yourself.
If you assembled any of your furniture, now is the time to disassemble it. Most furniture can be dissembled using a slot or Phillips head screwdriver and a small hammer. Keep the bolts, screws, and other hardware in a baggie or container and label it, and affix it to the inside of a bed rail or a drawer so you can put it all back together again without having to run out to the hardware store up the street. It's a smart idea to take photos of the hardware in the event that something gets misplaced--and it will.
Pack up your cleaning supplies and plan on taking them to the new house in your car--the chemicals can't go on the truck.
Cover furniture with the moving blankets and hold the blankets in place with the shrink wrap. The wrap won't mar finishes and keeps drawers in place when chests are moving around.
Moving Day in El Paso
If you've spent the final night in your residence, you most likely slept on mattresses on the floor, because your beds are in pieces. You have also packed a small duffel with necessities for the day since all your clothes are in boxes. Put your linens and towels in a big box or bag, and off you go. Movers schedule their days in blocks, so a large move could take multiple days. They will likely be at your house early in the morning and ready to get going—their time starts when they get there, not after you've had your coffee. It is going to be a long day, so respect their time and expertise by being ready for them.
Follow these tips for proper packing and you'll be promptly pleased with your new house—particularly when you can find the coffee pot.
