When Should I Begin the Packing Process for My Move?

Moving to a new home can be an exhilarating experience, but it also demands meticulous planning and organization. One of the most commonly asked questions is, “When should I start packing?” Starting too early can lead to packed items being missed and unpacked again before moving, while leaving it too late can lead to last-minute chaos.

Let’s demystify this dilemma and chart out the ideal packing timeline with tips and key elements to consider.

6-8 Weeks Before the Move: 

Declutter and Plan

Before you even think about packing, it’s essential to declutter. Sort through each room, decide what you want to keep, and what can be donated, sold, or discarded. This is also a great time to make an inventory of your belongings, especially valuable or delicate items. Doing this well in advance helps reduce the volume of items to be packed and moved, which can save time and money.

4-6 Weeks Before the Move: 

Start with Non-Essentials

Begin packing items that you seldom use. This includes off-season clothes, books, decorative items, and any room or spaces you don’t use daily, like a guest room. The idea is to start with items you won’t miss in your day-to-day life and routines.

3-4 Weeks Before the Move: 

Pack Room by Room

Now, shift your focus to packing up individual rooms. Consider rooms like the dining room, home office, or entertainment room. Remember to label each box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs to.

2 Weeks Before the Move: 

Pack Most Daily-Use Items

At this point, you should pack up most of your kitchen, leaving out only essential items you’ll need for the next two weeks, such as a couple of pots, pans, and enough dishes. Similarly, pack up most of your living room, leaving out only the essentials.

1 Week Before the Move: 

Finalize Everything

Pack up your essential kitchen items, bedroom items, and any remaining items from other rooms. Prepare an “essentials box” that contains items you’ll need immediately after the move: toiletries, clothes, important documents, medications, and so on. This box should be the last one packed and the first one unpacked.

1-2 Days Before the Move: 

Last-Minute Packing

Pack up any last-minute items and double-check every room to ensure nothing has been left behind. Remember to defrost your freezer at least 24 hours before moving day if you’re taking it with you.

*Pro Tips and Considerations for Your Packing Timeline:

Whether you’re a first-time mover or have been through the process before, these insights can be invaluable in ensuring a smoother transition.

1. Consider Your Lifestyle: If you have a busy work schedule or family obligations, you might need to start the packing process earlier to spread it out and avoid last-minute stress.
2. Quality Over Speed: It’s better to pack methodically, ensuring that items are protected, rather than rushing and risking damage.
3. Gather Supplies Early: Even before you start packing, gather all necessary packing supplies. This includes boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and markers for labeling. Having everything on hand makes the process smoother.
4. Specialty Items: Items like artwork, antiques, or musical instruments might need special attention or professional packing. Consider this in your timeline.
5. Stay Organized: As you pack, create an inventory list. Not only does this help you keep track of items, but it’s also invaluable for insurance purposes.
6. Seek Help: Don’t be shy about enlisting friends or family for packing parties. Get food delivered or open a bottle of wine to make it into a fun night in. Just ensure have a system in place so that everyone knows how to pack and label your boxes, as well as having an idea of what would be helpful to delegate versus what you want to personally handle.
7. Personal Essentials: Always pack a personal bag with essentials (like medications, toiletries, and a few days’ clothes) you’ll need during the transition period.
8. Limit Box Weight: Remember, just because you can fit more in a box doesn’t mean you should. Avoid making boxes too heavy to lift safely.
9. Label Clearly: Apart from listing contents, mark which room each box belongs to, and add special handling instructions like ‘fragile’ or ‘this side up’.
10. Utilities and Services: While not directly related to packing, remember to schedule the discontinuation or transfer of utilities and services to align with your move.

Flexibility is Key

While this timeline serves as a general guideline, remember that every move is unique. Depending on the size of your home, the volume of your belongings, and personal preferences, you might need to adjust this timeline. The key is to maintain flexibility while ensuring that you’re not leaving too much for the last minute.

And when you’re at the stage of weighing the benefits of professional movers, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Piece of Cake Moving & Storage for a free quote. Our expertise lies not just in transporting your belongings but also in expertise garnered from years of helping people.

Every move can be unique. Trust us to be by your side every step of the way, from our transparent pricing and top-notch packing materials, to our white glove Platinum Packing Experience.

Moving is a significant life event, and with the right planning, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It can be the start of an exciting new chapter – even with the moving process!