Now that you have used a huge pile of boxes and tape, your garage is overflowing with packed boxes, and you're dining on paper plates with forks you took from the fast food joint, the uncomplicated part is over. Now that you are in the home stretch, a day or two before the move itself, it's time to get the final tasks accomplished.
You'll probably need a ladder for this part, along with the tools outlined in our last post. If you've had large window coverings you will likely need some wood filler, also. If you are moving yourself, you will need moving blankets, baggies or small containers, and plastic wrap on a large roll for furniture, mirrors, art and lighting.
Roll with the Punches and Plan Ahead
Packing for a move takes a long time, and you must plan for that if you are going to handle it yourself. A large dry-erase calendar should help keep you on schedule, and you can edit it as changes occur. There are three stages of a move--purging, packing, and the move itself--and managing your progress with steps 1 and 2 will make step 3 a lot less exasperating.
One of the biggest errors you can make as a pack-it-yourselfer is to overweight boxes. Books are a big offender; they're normally small in size 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 area with the books themselves.
The Day Prior to M-Day in Colorado Springs
Since the big day is tomorrow, it's time to get going on the pantry and the fridge. Unless you’re moving right around the corner, your best bet is to take all the new 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 stuff--is unpacking those half-empty jelly jars worth your time?
Movers usually want the art and mirrors wrapped in bubble wrap or crated before they load them. If not, you still need to pad 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 put any of your furniture together, now is when you should take it apart. Most furniture can be deconstructed 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 tape 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 around the corner. It is a smart idea to take photos of the hardware just in case something gets separated--and it will.
Pack up your cleaning supplies and plan to take them to the new house in your automobile--the chemicals can't go on the truck.
Cover furniture in the moving blankets and make sure the blankets stay put with the shrink wrap. The wrap won't ding finishes and keeps drawers in place when chests are moving around.
Moving Day in Colorado Springs
If you've spent the last night in your residence, you probably slept on mattresses on the floor, because your beds have been dismantled. You've also packed a small bag with necessities for the day since all your clothes packed. Place your linens and towels in a decent sized box or bag, and away you go. Movers schedule their days in blocks, so a bigger move could be a multiple day project. The movers will likely be at your house early in the morning and ready to get started—the clock starts when they get there, not after you've had your coffee. It is going to be a strenuous day, so respect their time and expertise by being prepared for them.
Follow these tips for proper packing and you'll be promptly pleased with your new residence—expecially when you can find the coffee pot.
