Now that you've used a mountain of boxes and tape, your garage is overflowing with packed boxes, and you are dining on paper plates with forks you took from the fast food joint, the uncomplicated part is over. Now that you're in the home stretch, a day or two ahead of the truck arriving, it's time to get the final tasks accomplished.
You will most likely need to have a ladder for the next to-do items, along with the tools outlined in our last post. If you have had large window treatments you will likely need some wood filler, also. If you are DIY moving, you'll need moving blankets, baggies or small containers, and plastic wrap on a large spool for furniture, mirrors, art and lighting.
Be Adaptable and Plan Ahead
Packing for a move takes a lot of time and dedication, and you must plan for that if you're going to handle it yourself. A large dry-erase calendar will help keep you on schedule, and you can edit it as needed. There are three stages of a move--purging, packing, and the move itself--and keeping on top of steps 1 and 2 will make step 3 a lot less stressful.
One of the larger errors you can make as a pack-it-yourselfer is putting too much in boxes. Books are a big offender; they are relatively not large but they're heavy. Four or five hardbacks is adequate 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 part of the house with the books themselves.
The Day Prior to the Big Move in Atlanta
Now that 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, your best bet is to take all the unwrapped non-perishables to a food pantry, and toss the rest. For a short trip, you can place perishables in coolers with dry ice, but food is a lot like your other items--is unpacking those half-empty jelly jars worth your time?
Movers most of the time want the art and mirrors protected 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 van. You can secure lighting with a seatbelt if you're moving yourself.
If you assembled any of your furniture, now is when you should dismantle it. Most furniture can be deconstructed with 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 go to the local hardware store. It's not a bad idea to take photos of the hardware in the event that something gets lost--and it will.
Pack your cleaning supplies and plan to take them to the new house in your automobile--the chemicals can't go on the truck.
Cover furniture in the moving blankets and secure the blankets with the shrink wrap. The wrap won't mar finishes and keeps drawers in place when chests are moving around.
Moving Day in Atlanta
If you have spent the last night in your home, you were smart enough to sleep on mattresses on the floor, since your beds are in pieces. You've also packed a small duffel with necessities for the day since all your clothes are in boxes. Place your linens and towels in a large box or bag, and away you go. Movers schedule their days in blocks, so a large move could take multiple days. They will likely be at your house first thing and ready to get started—the clock 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 ready for them.
Follow these tips for proper packing and you'll be promptly pleased with your new house—particularly when you can find the coffee pot.
