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Are you interested in creating an efficient plan to move in an effective manner, no muss no fuss?
Do you need some tips to eliminate some potential relocation pitfalls?
You have come to the right place!
Why We Know About Packing?
Having effectively performed thousands of moves both locally in and around Charlotte and in the immediate area including Gastonia, Rock Hill, Ballantyne, Lake Norman and Lake Wylie, we have accumulated many efficient and effective methods that can be implemented to streamline and organize your move. Due to our diverse range of experience providing both residential relocation services as well as corporate relocation to the Charlotte/Rock Hill area, we have learned a thing or two about how to maximize time and minimize the headache of moving.
As you might expect, there is a distinctly unique set of needs to be met when performing a Charlotte corporate move as opposed to when providing full service moving to a family moving to Charlotte. Through these diverse relocation experiences, we have learned a thing or two about how to streamline and simplify the overall relocation/moving process. From what type of packing supplies you need to how to pack everything from your kitchen to your storage unit, we have seen and done it all. Yet, we have consistently managed to meet and exceed our client’s expectations.
Why We Are Sharing Our Tips With You?
As one of the leading Charlotte full-service relocation/moving companies, Act of Class believes in passing knowledge forward so that others can benefit from our moving experience.
As Charles Darwin once said,
“Doing what little one can to increase the general stock of knowledge is as respectable an object of life, as one can in any likelihood pursue.”
Packing the Right Way
It sounds simple, but packing a room can be much more complicated than you could ever anticipate. Imagine that added on to your daily stresses, you are now taxed with having to find and implement an effective and efficient method of packing up contents which it has taken years or decades to accumulate. We feel your pain! As overwhelming as it seems, it is not an insurmountable hurdle. Instead, think of the move as a pyramid that you are slowly scaling with a great reward at the top: rest and relaxation at your new home. Of course, the first step to packing it to find out what you need to do to ensure the safety of your belongings.
Packing Appliances:
Appliances must be cleaned and be dry prior to being packed. If not, mildew and mold can appear almost overnight.
Make sure that all appliance hoses are tied down and that the power cords are also tied down.
One effective method of tying cords is to use large rubber bands.
Smaller cords can be wrapped using the ties that are around your bread or more expensive ties available to organize computer cords.
Packing Electronics:
Remember to unplug your electronics 24 hours prior to the move, as warm electronics can be damaged during a move.
Preparing Furniture for Packing:
Remember, do not wax or oil furniture made of wood, as the products may soften the wood making it more likely to be damaged.
Removing Flammables:
Due to heat concerns, dispose of any flammable or combustible products. We would also recommend disposing of any corrosive product that can not otherwise be completely sealed. The risk that these items posed is not worth it! Trust us.
Now that you know a bit about how to protect your belongings, let’s start with the overall process. Just like you never want to miss the beginning of a movie or a book because otherwise you do not understand it, the packing process is an essential part of your move. It creates the scaffolding upon which your entire move is built. Without an effective packing process, you will get mired in delays and confusion. Keepsakes could be damaged or all together forgotten, and you will be at the end of your rope. Avoid the chaos by reading below.
Organizing Your Packing Process
Okay, so now you know how to pack. Where exactly should you start packing? Read below to find out!
Before you start Packing:
Let’s not pack so quickly. Instead, why not reevaluate whether or not some of your possessions are “worthy” of going to your new residence. Have some items that might best be left behind. Well, there are several options available to ensure that those items do not go to waste.
- Selecting. Evaluate the items that you can live without.
- Scheduling. Set a date and pick a location to hold a moving sale. Check with your local authorities to see if you can hold one right outside your home. If your home is not a viable location for your sale, you might consider checking to see if any local group sales are going on that you can join or checking to see if there is a local flea market where you can reserve a table.
- Advertising. E-mail all your friends and relatives to let them know about your sale. Don’t forget to put up signs and ads in your local newspaper.
- Pricing. Keep in mind that any prices you set will have to be subject to negotiation. One fair one of negotiating is to agree on a price in between the price you are asking and the price that is being offered.
- Donating. Take the items left after the moving sale and deliver them to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. These items have a value which can add up to considerable tax savings to you. Goodwill has a tax valuation sheet on their website which makes it easy to determine just how much these donated items are worth. Just make sure you keep an itemized list of what you are giving away so you can avoid any potential audit. Remember the IRS wants details, so write everything down and keep it. You can never have enough documentation for the IRS to substantiate a deduction.
Packing Your Storage Unit:
You might think that the best course of action from a moving stand point would be to pack your storage unit last; yet, that is not the case. Instead, we recommend that you pack your storage unit first. Using our previously delineated packing process, you can effectively get this done in a matter of a day or two.
Keep in mind that you may want to schedule your packing for early morning if your storage unit is not climate controlled.
If your storage unit is a self-storage unit at your home, we recommend adjusting our packing process to include the addition of a large standing umbrella, so you will have the convenience of shade, which provides a means of climate control.
If you are packing a climate controlled storage unit, there are some considerations. First and foremost, remember your unit may be the along a corridor that is highly travelled. Try to find out from the proprietor of the public storage facility if there is a time of day to avoid, as you will probably have to set up your table and chair in the corridor depending on how much room is left in your unit. From experience, we have found that often public storage units are packed to the hilt. Another concern when packing a storage unit is to choose a time to pack when there is little or no other storage unit owners around while keeping in mind of any security concerns related to late night packing. We recommend consulting your storage facility proprietor/company to find out if security is available at night and/or any other security methods that are in effect.
A Creative Solution to Packing Quickly:
We know that it sounds like a lot to accomplish all by your lonesome. Who says you can’t pack and have fun too!
One idea that has been used to get some of the packing done is throwing a pizza packing party. You can invite friends and family over to help you pack. Then order a pizza and drinks to feed the hungry masses. Just remember to bring enough food to keep the hungry masses friendly!
One Last Tip
Probably the best tip we can give you is to plan ahead. Remember, do not wait for the last minute, as things can come up including illnesses that could sideline you from completing your packing as planned.
As you can see, packing requires time and a lot of effort, even with a streamlined system. Moreover, like any planned event, you have to have a contingency plan in case the unexpected occurs.
Should you find that the extra time needed is not something that you have available or you are unable to get everything ready due to some unexpected occurrence, call Act of Class.
Should you decide that you need a full-service relocation company, we here at Act of Class are ready, willing and able to meet your moving needs quickly and efficiently.
Are you worried about the expense related to having an experience relocation company handle your move? Don’t worry. Instead, e-mail us for a quote. We are glad to work with you to create a customized moving package that meets your need and budget.
We take a systematic approach to your move in order to provide you a seamless solution based on tested and tried techniques.
Whether you are moving locally or relocating outside of Charlotte, Act of Class is here to help you preserve your peace of mind and get you moving toward the next phase in your life in your “new” home.
Keep Act of Class in mind for all your relocation needs from moving in, around and to Charlotte, Rock Hill and the surrounding area to moves across the Carolinas. We are here if you need us!
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