oops misread that as the 13th
ahem! ok, in no particular order, where to spend the money;
Packing paper, scrounge all the newspapers you can. That stuff runs about $35 or more a bundle very spendy.
boxes specifically for dishes and other glasswares. Home Depot sells them in smaller sizes(2 and 3 cubic foot) than the 5cuft size used by moving companies. Dish boxes are double walled boxes to protect your dishes and to withstand the strain of the weight. When packing your dishes, wrap in paper and pack them as tightly as possible in the boxes to prevent breakage. A well packed 5cuft dish pack should weigh about 100 to 150Lbs. The smaller 30 to 50 or 60ish Lbs depending on size. Oh and packing tape for the boxes also, do NOT use the overlapping flap tuck method to close the boxes
use a larger sharpie to write the room the contents of the box came out of and what is actually in the box on the side of the box and not the top, so that when you inevitably stack something on the box you can still tell where it goes and what is in it. I see people make this mistake a lot.
if you do buy boxes, you want boxes that are rectangular vertically instead of horizontally to stand up better to the stresses of being moved and stacked.
Pots and pans can go in any old container big enough to hold them
If you slide well packed box across a wood floor, it will scratch the floor.
Wheels are your friend along with a couple of someones with strong arms and good endurance. Rent if you can a four wheel dollie (or two if they are smaller than about 18"x30")and a hand truck. Protect your floors, if for no other reason than to save a cleaning bill later. For carpets, carpet mask (think giant cellophane tape) is a worthwhile investment when compared to the cost of cleaning. For hard floors put runners down of some kind. Secure the runners with blue tape or they will be a trip hazard. We use rubber backed “red carpet” runners, but cleancloth painters runners can be used in a pinch.
If you rent a Uhaul, the pads (moving blankets or quilts) they will want you to rent are small, thin, expensive and there really aren’t enough of them. Use your own bedding, towels, whatever linens as packing/padding when possible. But also use the Uhaul pads if you need to.
Expect this to be a lot harder and more overwhelming than you think it is going to be, don’t be afraid to ask for help, don’t try to do all the packing and unpacking in one day either, you will end up discouraged and burned out unless you are one of those rare, seemingly unnatural people who unpack and put 1/2 an entire 5000sqft house of boxes while we are bringing in the furniture. Yes, the boxes will be there tomorrow and the next day, but also, the boxes will be there tomorrow and the next day
When moving the furniture into a room, try to place it where it is going to go the first time. Soon after that piece is in there it is going to be surrounded by boxes of stuff, maybe for that room, maybe not, its just easier that way. I see people make this mistake a lot also.
If your boxes are going in before the furniture, picture each room where the furniture will ultimately end up and don’t put boxes in that spot (a common mistake movers make through inadequate communication) You don’t want to handle stuff anymore than needed.
When stacking boxes, stack them so the labels are out and you can read whats inside. (common mistake)
Never stack boxes more than 3 or 4 high (depending on how heavy they are) or whatever is comfortable for you to reach and lift.
Stretch wrap is your friend, and can save you tons of work. Get a roll or two of both the small 6 or 8 inch and the 18 or 24 inch sizes.
If you have some very strong backs helping you, instead of unloading your dressers, stretch wrap them shut with the contents inside, have the strong backs place them on the wheels or carry them out and in and place them at destination and save all that packing and unpacking. Maybe stuff drawers containing looser, non clothing items with paper to tighten them up a bit and prevent rattling breaking and things falling out through the back.
Resign yourself now to the fact that something is going to get rubbed, chipped, dented, scratched or maybe even broken, be it furniture or the house or maybe even both.
Be prepared to see dents, rubs, scratches, stains, cracks and the like on your stuff out in the direct sunlight, that you never noticed indoors.
Be prepared for the stress moving brings. Have some sort of stress relief ready each evening andfor the unpacking/packing phase set hours of work just like a regular job. Schedule breaks, Morning Noon and Afternoon, just like a regular job.
Get plenty of sleep and be well rested and well fed etc, your body will need it to help cope with the stress.
Use copious blue tape and some older or thinner blankets to pad doorframes and doors to help prevent damage with taking furniture through them.
don’t be afraid to dismantle furniture to move it.
Anything from Ikea or manufactured in that style of assemble/disassemble or made of press or particle board, just chuck it, give it away (just kidding). From a movers POV this is junk furniture, labor intensive and difficult to disassemble and reassemble and in the case of press or particle board furniture, more like than not to break during the move, don’t be surprised if it happens. (furniture from walmart is the worst for breakage while moving)
That’s all I’ve got for now as its getting pretty late here. I’ll check back in later if I think of anything else.
