Now that you have gone through a mountain of boxes and tape, your garage is overflowing with packed boxes, and you're dining on paper plates with forks you took from the fast food joint, the uncomplicated part is over. Now that you are almost there, a day or two prior to the move itself, it's time to deconstruct.
You'll most likely need a ladder for this part, along with the tools outlined in our last post. If you've had large window treatments you will likely need some wood filler, in addition. If you're DIY moving, you will need moving blankets, baggies or small containers, and plastic wrap on a large roll for furniture, mirrors, art and lighting.
Be Flexible and Plan Ahead
Packing for a move takes a lot of time and dedication, and you should plan for that if you're going to do it yourself. A large dry-erase calendar should help keep you on schedule, and you can edit it in the event of changes. There are three stages of a move--purging, packing, and the move itself--and managing your progress with steps 1 and 2 will make step 3 a lot less exasperating.
One of the worst errors you can make as a pack-it-yourselfer is overloading boxes. Books are the worst offender; they're relatively not large but they're heavy. Four or five hardbacks is sufficient for a small box, so fill in the rest of the box with lighter weight accessories--coasters, photos, magazines--that will go back in the same room or bookcase with the books themselves.
The Day Before the Big Move in Dallas
Considering the big day is tomorrow, it's time to get going on the pantry and the fridge. Unless you’re moving right around the corner, it’s advisable to take all the unopened non-perishables to a food pantry, and toss the rest. For a short trip, you can put perishables in coolers containing dry ice, but food is a lot like everything else--is unpacking those half-empty jelly jars worth your time?
Movers frequently want the art and mirrors covered in bubble wrap or crated before they load them. If not, you still need to pad each piece (flannel sheets, beach towels, etc. work great between pieces) and move them in your car instead of the moving truck. You can secure lighting with a seatbelt if you are moving yourself.
If you assembled any of your furniture, now is when you need to disassemble it. Most furniture can be dissembled using a slot or Phillips head screwdriver and a small hammer. Keep the bolts, screws, and other hardware in a baggie or container and label it, and tape it to the inside of a bed rail or a drawer so you can put it all back together again without having to run out to the hardware store up the street. It's a good idea to take photos of the hardware in the event that something gets separated--and it will.
Pack up your cleaning supplies and plan to take them to the new home in your vehicle--the chemicals can't go on the truck.
Cover furniture with the moving blankets and hold the blankets in place with the shrink wrap. The wrap won't scratch finishes and keeps drawers in place when chests are moving around.
Moving Day in Dallas
If you have spent the last night in your residence, you were smart enough to sleep on mattresses on the floor, because your beds have been dismantled. You have also packed a small duffel with necessities for the day since all your clothes packed. Put your linens and towels in a large box or bag, and off you go. Movers schedule their days in blocks, so a large move could be a multiple day project. They will likely be at your house bright and early and ready to get started—the timeclock starts when they get there, not after you've had your coffee. It is going to be a tiring day, so respect their time and expertise by being prepared for them.
Follow these tips for proper packing and you'll be incredibly pleased with your new house—particularly when you can find the coffee pot.
