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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Your friends at Elephant Moving & Storage know that moving may not be the most fun you’ve ever had, but planning ahead will go a long way toward making the process bearable. Leaving everything until the last minute will only stress you out. A little preparation will help make you feel better about your local Austin move or interstate move. Nothing is worse than the feeling of helplessness that will overcome you if you schedule a move and are completely unprepared when the movers show up. Following are some simple tips and tricks to help you make the most of your moving experience, whether your move is a local Austin move or a cross country long distance move. And of course you can always contact our friendly office staff for additional suggestions or to ask specific questions about your move. We’re here to help!

Tip #1:
Make a list
Write everything down! Trust us, you will thank yourself later (like when your 8 year old is inconsolable and wants only his spiderman jammies…). Before you pack even one box, create a simple record keeping system. Create a computer-printed list of numbers with a space to write the contents. Or have a spiral-bound notebook for the job. Place a number on EVERY box you pack and specify the contents on your list. Don’t put the list down unless it is in a place you will call Packing Central. This is where you can find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and other supplies. When describing the box contents, be specific — “A-D files” is better than “files”, and “flower dishes” better than “misc. kitchen”. The more specific you are, the less you will have to dig for necessary items later on.

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Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!