Tip #11:
Keep important papers with you
Your list of “important” papers might include: birth certificates, school records, moving estimates, new job contacts, utility company numbers, recent bank records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and more. Don’t leave these with your Austin moving company. Keep them with you! This way, you will have immediate access to them without having to dig through a dozen boxes or hunt all over your new house for the box you need. You may think you labeled your box of important papers well enough, but quite often it can be difficult to locate one particular box when you have your entire house packed into 100+ boxes spread all around. Keep in mind that although it is rare, occasionally boxes or small items are misplaced during a move. Your Austin mover will make every effort to get your mis-delivered item back to you as quickly as possible, but in the interim it could be frustrating to be without some of those essential documents. Better safe than sorry!

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Tip #10:
Safeguard valued items
It is a good idea to keep valuable possessions, such as jewelry, silverware, collections, or antiques, with you. If you have a long move and no room in your car, bury the items in a box titled “Misc kitchen pantry”. Either way, check your homeowner’s insurance to see how you are covered during the move and if you need additional insurance from your Austin moving company. Also, find out what paperwork (receipts, appraisals, and photos) you might need to file a claim in case of loss. If you purchase additional insurance for your move, be sure to read your moving insurance policy carefully so you are aware of all conditions and exclusions of the policy. Some items will require additional packaging (for an additional cost) in order to be fully covered. Certain valuable items, such as jewelry, watches, gem stones, cash/currency/bank notes, deeds, travelers cheques, coin/stamp collections, sports memorabilia, alcoholic beverages, furs, plasma televisions, and firearms/ammunition, are not covered by any mover or third party insurer regardless of the policy or coverage purchased, so make sure your homeowner’s policy does cover these items if you plan to ship them with the moving company.

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Tip #9:
Use your luggage
Fill luggage and duffle bags with clothing, sheets, towels, and paper goods. Even for local Austin moves you will be able to quickly spot your green suitcase holding your favorite sweaters, whereas “Box #97″ might remain elusive for days. Avoid packing books or heavy items in large suitcases, as these can be extremely difficult to move and may damage the luggage. Also avoid packing dishes or fragile items in suitcases or duffel bags, as luggage generally does not offer the same protection as boxes specifically designed for china and other delicate items. Be sure your Austin moving company knows that your inventory list will include suitcases and/or duffel bags. For local moves this may add to the time your move takes, and for interstate moves it will increase the weight or volume of your shipment. Either way, you want to be sure your estimate is as accurate as possible by providing your mover with the best information prior to your move.

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Tip #8:
Consolidate cleaning supplies
If you must clean your old place after moving out, put together a kit of basic cleaning supplies and rags that will be left behind after your Austin moving company clears out your belongings. Clean anything possible ahead of time (the inside of kitchen cupboards, the oven, windows, etc.), and if possible, vacuum each room as the movers empty it. If you find the job is too overwhelming to tackle yourself try enlisting the help of friends or family. Or, check with your Austin mover to see if they offer a cleaning and make ready service and/or carpet cleaning services in addition to their usual moving services. The mover’s cleaning service may do a more thorough job than a regular maid service at paying specific attention to making sinks, tubs, toilets, showers, surfaces, ceiling fans, and baseboards sparkle! They will also vacuum, mop and remove trash, leaving your old home in tip top shape and ready to become someone’s new home!

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Tip #7:
Pack ahead
Anything you can pack ahead will save you time on moving day. Pack seldom used or out of season items early to avoid being rushed at the last minute. If it is summer, get your winter clothing and coats out of the way. You don’t really need 5 radios or TVs around your house for the last few days there. Box up your shampoo and extra toothpaste and live out of a travel cosmetic case for the last week or two. Pare down dishes, cooking utensils and food supplies to bare essentials. Wastebaskets can also be packed (put things in them!) while you switch to using plastic grocery bags (hang them on a cabinet door or door handle to collect trash.) The more you get done well in advance of your movers’ arrival, the less overwhelmed you will feel as move day approaches. If move day arrives faster than you realized and you are not quite done packing, don’t panic! Be sure to let your Austin moving company know the day before your move that you could use some last minute supplies and packing help. The small extra expense will be well worth it as you calmly watch the movers finish the packing instead of frantically running around dodging furniture as you throw things haphazardly into boxes on move day.

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Tip #6:
Keep things together
Insist on keeping things together when you or your Austin moving company are packing boxes. Keep bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps, and extension cords with appliances. Small, loose parts can be attached to the item they belong to with tape or placed in small bags or envelopes (to keep picture hooks with pictures, shelf brackets with a bookcase, a special wrench and bolts with the wall unit, etc). Keep larger corresponding items (such as a cable TV cord or remotes) in ziplock bags, and tape these to the underside or back of the item. Alternatively, keep a “Parts Box” open on the kitchen counter and fill it with cables, cords, parts, pieces, brackets, or nails that are removed from any items of furniture. It is a good idea to label the pieces so you remember what hardware goes with which item. Keep this parts box with you or label and mark it well with a rainbow of colored stickers so it can be easily located on move-in day!

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Tip #5:
Color coordinate
One of the hardest parts of moving is making sure everything gets to its proper location when your movers unload the truck. You’ve paid a lot of money to get your move done right, so who wants to spend a lot of time and energy moving everything again after your Austin moving company is gone? Labeling is a good start, but coloring is better! Designate a color for each room in your new home, such as yellow for kitchen, orange for dining room, etc. Affix colored stickers on the box near the box number. In your new home put a matching sticker on the door to each room. Your Austin movers will know where to put everything when they arrive at the destination. It is also helpful to post a big sign on the wall in the room where you want boxes stacked, (”Boxes here please”) to keep them out of furniture and traffic areas. It is not a good idea to try unpacking and organizing as things come into your new home – there will be plenty of time for that later. Your move will run more smoothly if you make yourself available to the movers so they can find out exactly where you want various pieces of furniture placed and ask any other questions that may arise.

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Tip #4:
Strategize wardrobe box use
Your friends at Elephant Moving Company will be happy to deliver moving boxes and packing supplies ahead of your moving day. If you are packing yourself, get things organized as early as possible. A few days before your move, fill some sturdy handled shopping bags with bulky closet items such as shoes, sweaters, belts, and jeans. On moving day, fill the bottom of the tall wardrobe boxes with some of the shopping bags then add your hanging clothing. Pack hanging items tightly so things won’t move around and fall off of hangers. Cover the shoulders of your clothes (a dry cleaning bag works well), then add a few purses or sweaters on top. You will have fewer boxes, and your closet items will remain together for easy unpacking and organizing. The shopping bags are not necessary, but they will make it easier to retrieve your belongings from the bottoms of a tall wardrobe box.
If your move is a local Austin move, we also offer wardrobe box rental for the day. Your movers will bring the boxes with them on move day, and will place your hanging clothes in the boxes. You can even leave some cushions, bedding, shoes or bags unpacked for them to use as filler for the bottom of the wardrobes. When the movers arrive at your new place the wardrobe boxes will be emptied and carted off without you ever lifting a finger!

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Tip #3:
Utilize wardrobe boxes
Your Austin moving company has found a lot of ways to maximize wardrobe box use. These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. Our standard wardrobe boxes are 24 inches wide – so 2 feet of your hanging clothes will fit in each box. Measure the clothes in your closets (including coat closets) to see how many wardrobe boxes you will need. You can also use wardrobe boxes for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes. Wardrobe boxes work great for securing odd miscellaneous items you are unable to fit in other boxes for interstate moving (i.e. vacuums, ironing boards, brooms and mops, non-fragile lamps, fans, space heaters, folding chairs, etc). Just don’t make the boxes too heavy to lift! Wardrobe boxes are not meant for books, bricks, bowling balls, dishes, or other small, heavy items that can easily be packed in smaller boxes.

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Tip #2:
Have plenty of supplies
Don’t make us say this twice—you will need LOTS of boxes—probably more boxes than you ever imagined, and having enough boxes will make your life easier! (If you buy your boxes from us here at your local Austin moving company keep in mind that we offer free delivery! No hauling or schlepping – we do the heavy lifting for you.)
Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies. You will need strong packing tape to close up the boxes securely (and please don’t forget to tape the bottoms of the boxes, too!). Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion your fragile household goods. Use paper to fill in any spaces left in your boxes so they do not crush when stacked in the moving truck. Again, you will need lots more supplies than you think, so get some extras so the packing can go smoothly. Simply return any unused supplies after the truck is packed (we don’t charge you for what you don’t use!).
If you are moving out of state remember that everything must be packed in boxes – unlike a local Austin move, nothing can go loose. If you are unsure how to pack something just ask us; we’ve packed it all before and can offer a lot of useful packing tips and tricks!

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