When Is It Time To Start Packing and Hit the Road: A Guide By the Pros

This article is made for those who are planning a move in the coming months and want to know when the boxes should be closed up for a proper move.

The best time to start is eight weeks before the moving date, but some tasks can be pushed into one month or less if needed.

8 Weeks Before Your Move: (Ideal timing to begin!)

• Start with the declutter: Start by going through your things and deciding what you want to keep, donate, or toss. This will make packing more manageable and can reduce moving costs significantly as moving costs correlate with weight.
• Book your Move: Start by comparing binding quotes on iMoving by inputting your info once. When you find your match then book with them asap in order to lock down the best times and dates at the best rates.

1 and a Half Months Before Your Move:

• Get Supplies: Find or buy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Also, make sure you have things on hand to pack up the fragile items. This way when you have the strength to pack you won’t waste that power running around to stores. 
• Here is what you need to get started:
• Boxes: Get various sizes, including small for heavy items and large for light items. Make sure to keep them dry. 
• Packing Tape: Reinforce boxes to prevent them from opening during the move.
• Bubble Wrap and Packing Paper: Protect fragile items. Don’t go scarce on this.
• Markers: Label boxes clearly.

• Begin Packing Non-Essentials: Start packing up the items you don’t use daily, like seasonal things, books, your entire garage, guest room, and more.

1 Month Before Your Move:

• Pack Up Room-by-Room: Start packing room by room, focusing on items that you won’t need until after you’ve moved, like excess kitchenware or extra bedding. Make sure you pack an essentials bag and don’t end up packing away things you will really need in the next month.
• Label Boxes: Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it’s going to be in. This will help you find things easily and direct movers. Labels are the key to a happy move and a lack of labels means a nightmare of unpacking.

2 Weeks Before Your Move:

• Essentials: Pack essentials that you’ll need immediately after arriving at your new home in a certain and marked box, such as toiletries, a change of clothes and bedding, and basic kitchen items. The coffee machine is for sure an essential.
• Prepare Documents: Keep important documents, like moving contracts and inventory lists, in an easily accessible place.

1 Week Before Your Move:

• Finish Packing: Don’t put this off or delay! Complete packing up everything except for the last-minute essentials which are put aside.
• Confirm Details: Reconfirm your moving date and time with your movers or truck rental.

Moving Day:

• Final Checks: Do a final walkthrough of your home to check you haven’t forgotten anything. Check-in drawers and all outlets and light fixtures.
• Be Around: Be present during the move to oversee the loading and unloading of your belongings is done professionally. Being there makes movers work faster and better as they feel they are being watched and you are around for any questions needed.

Take the Time to Pack Strategically:

• Start with Non-Essentials: Pack items you don’t need right away. The more you get this done the less clutter you will have. Consider tossing the really non-essentials.
• Wrap Fragile Items: Use bubble wrap or packing paper to protect breakables. Label these boxes as “fragile” on all sides.
• Fill Boxes Efficiently: Don’t overload your boxes. This will cause them to break and you will need to start over. Fill gaps with packing paper or bubble wrap instead to prevent items from shifting and keep the box at a normal weight.
• Label Boxes: Clearly mark the contents and the room they belong to. You can use color-coded labels for easy identification if you are an organization freak.

Room-by-Room Packing Cues:

• Kitchen: Pack dishes, glassware, and appliances. Use dish towels or paper between items. This is the box most likely to break so pack extra carefully and use extra padding.
• Bedroom: Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. This way you won’t have to rehang everything and packing is done simply.
• Living Room: Pack electronics, books, and decor away in the same box to keep it organized. Keep remotes and important cables together in one box.
• Bathroom: Pack toiletries and medicines. Consider keeping the key meds in a separate box. Pack up every single item except the toothbrush and toothpaste if possible.

Special Items:

• Valuables: Drive your own special items like jewelry, important documents, and other valuables yourself. Don’t take the risk they will get lost. 
• Plants: If moving your precious plants, ensure they are packed securely and have enough light and air during transport. It is better to take a few driving rounds and move them yourself to avoid the trauma to the roots. 

Other Tips:

• Essentials Should be Accessible: Pack a bag with items you’ll need immediately, like snacks, toiletries, and important documents. Keep a change of clothes and bedding in here as well as you will be exhausted upon arrival and will want to crash.
• Inventory: Keep a list of what’s in each box or take photos to help you track everything. When you go to unpack the future you will thank the past you.

We hope our guide has broken it down for you and helped you realize it is best to start packing 8 weeks ahead of the moving date. Following this guide should help make your move more organized and less stressful.

Good luck with your move for the iMoving pro packing team! We know how it goes.  Know that if you regret the DIY move you can always hire our teams to do it for you.