• Pack an OPEN FIRST box(es) – Toilet paper, paper towel, power cord, 1 x flat and 1 x phillips screwdriver, scissors, box cutter, trash bags, cell phone chargers, dish soap, hand soap (and any medications you may need urgently).  We recommend using a different colored tape (painters tape, blue or orange) in a X shape so it is visible on all sides of boxes that are important to get to early on in the unpack.

 

  • Consider packing your current bed linens in an open first box… there is nothing worse at the end of a long moving day, not being able to find your sheets and bedding

 

  • Pack 1 suitcase for each family member, containing a couple of days worth of clothes, all their hygiene and medication needs as well as anything that is super important to them (think your little one’s fave teddy bear that they can’t sleep without or your lap top and charger if you have to work early the next day)

 

  • LABEL your boxes on each side and the top so no matter how they are stacked, you know which room they belong in (We use abbreviations, so kitchen is K, Master Bathroom is MA BA and so on).  This ensures that the movers can place them exactly where they belong, rather than you having to relocate them once the movers have left

 

  • For local moves, black bag your bedding and linens – you will save on boxes and your movers can put them on top of the load of boxes or furniture

 

  • Pre-Label rooms in your new home – It will save you having to keep reminding the movers which room is which (make sure you label your boxes according to the rooms they belong in in the NEW home

 

  • Treat your movers well…. They will go the extra mile for you if you provide them with water/soft drinks and something to eat at lunch time!

 

For the Unpack:

 

  • Prioritize the kitchen, master bedroom, kids’rooms and bathrooms.  Everything else can wait as long as you can all get a night’s sleep, can take a shower and have something to eat or drink.  The playroom, office, garage can all wait!

 

  • The goal is NOT to organize perfectly, as much as it is to get everything unpacked.  You have time later to color code your clothes by season

 

  • If at all possible, unpack as much as you can while your movers are there as most movers will take empty boxes with them (sometimes for a fee) which frees up your living space

 

  • Flat pack your boxes and black bag your packing paper.  Check with your local trash company – many of them offer free bulk pick ups a few times a year. If your boxes are in good shape, consider offering them on a local site for free pick up.

 

  • If you have time and access to the new home before the movers arrive this is a good time to line any drawers or cupboards if you want to.  Move in day is NOT the ideal time for this.

 

  • Call Organized & Orderly…. We are experts on ALL your decluttering, packing, unpacking, concierge move day management needs and more!