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 #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 #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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When packing up your home or business it is important to follow a few simple guidelines to ensure that your move experience is a positive one. Your Austin movers at Elephant Moving & Storage have a lot of experience in this department! If you have any questions we encourage you to call our office anytime for assistance.

The most important thing to remember when packing boxes is to use the proper size box for each item. Book boxes are so called for a reason - they are designed to hold books and other small, heavy items. Large boxes and wardrobe boxes are NOT suitable for this purpose! This is not laziness on the part of your Austin mover; not only is it unsafe for the movers to haul extremely heavy boxes up and down stairs and in and out of the truck, but it will ikely result in damage to your items. When a large box has been filled to capacity with books and other heavy items the box is likely to rip and spill your possessions all over the place. Stick to packing books in book boxes for best results.

If there is space in your boxes use a filler, such as packing paper or blankets or towels, to avoid having the boxes crush while in transit. This prevents the items inside being smashed, and also prevents damage to items while in transit as crushed boxes do not stack well.

Remember to securely tape the bottoms and tops of all your boxes! Leaving boxes open while in transit will result in lost and damaged items. Folding the bottoms of the boxes is also guaranteed to result in lost and damaged items; when your Austin movers pick up these boxes chances are the folded bottoms will fall away and send your things showering down to the ground.

Fragile items should be packed with appropriate padding! It is a bad idea to fill a box with plates or glasses and not pad them with any foam, paper or bubble wrap. Being cheap with the packing materials will result in expensive damages later!
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After Your Move

Moving can be unsettling, but it can also offer the opportunity for a fresh start. Here are some things to remember along the way.

Take it easy
Don’t feel like you have to unpack right away. Focus on the essentials and take your time in addressing the less important stuff.

Have fun
Take the time to enjoy your new surroundings with your family and make exploring a fun event. Take walks and visit a local park, or check out local shopping, entertainment and restaurants.

Include everyone
As you settle into your new home, make a point to include all family members. Allow each member input in planning and decorating, and be tactful in making compromises. When all is done, each member should feel like they contributed to his or her “space.”

Get involved
Be on the look-out for neighbors and introduce yourself to them. Ask them what organizations they recommend and see if you can find one that fits your needs. Involvement in a church group, athletic club or volunteer organization is likely to help you feel more like a part of your community.

Keep your receipts
If you misplaced your Elephant Moving & Storage receipt from your recent move contact our office to obtain a copy.

Order Moving Supplies!

As you move through the steps of your interstate moving process, you will find it helpful to have boxes and other moving supplies on hand. Start packing some of your non-essentials as you begin cleaning closets and paring down; you will be glad later. Packing is far less overwhelming when you spread it out over weeks versus trying to cram it all into a couple of days. Also, before you begin any packing you will want to review our packing tips. Because who wants to pack anything twice?

You can order boxes from Elephant Moving & Storage and they will be delivered directly to your door! The most popular items are included in our box kits to make it even easier for you to order the right amount and sizes. Review our box kit information to determine just how many you will need.

Get your local or long distance residential or commercial moving estimate now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!