When To Start Packing For A Move
Moving to a new home in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) can be a very exciting adventure, but like almost anything comes with a fair share of challenges. Specifically, when it comes to moving one of the most critical aspects of a successful move is determining when to start packing. A well-planned packing process is critical for a stress-free move. Knowing what to pack first when moving can make a world of difference in how efficient and organized your overall move will be. At XYZ Storage, we understand that moving is no easy job so we’re here to help ease the process. Whether you’re downsizing or simply moving to a new place, we’ve created this article to help provide you with a detailed packing timeline and packing checklist along with some essential tips to ensure a smooth transition. With our help, your moving process can become much simpler and stress-free. Let’s get packing!
Understanding Your Moving Timeline: The Packing Process
A structured moving timeline is very important to ensuring a stress-free move. Your timeline depends on how long you and/or your family have between your move. It’s best to give yourself as much time as possible ensuring that you’re not trying to accomplish tasks at the last minute, especially if you can avoid it. For example, ensuring you have enough time to hire a moving company or rent a truck to assist with the move. To help you, we’ve created an ideal breakdown you should aim for below.
8 Weeks Before Moving Day
As mentioned earlier, rushing your move is one of the last things you want to do. At the eight-week mark (roughly two months) before your move, this is the time you’ll want to spend finding local moving companies if this is the direction you wish to take. Additionally, spend your time gathering all of your packing materials, including sturdy moving boxes, packing paper, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, and markets for labeling. You can also spend time decluttering your belongings and sorting them into four piles: keep, donate, throw away, and store. Those of the items you wish to keep you can start packing them into boxes and label them properly to facilitate unpacking and keeping you organized.
6 Weeks Before Moving Day
At the six-week mark, continue to pack your belongings that you don’t need in the meantime. This can include extra linens, out-of-season clothes, seasonal decorations, etc. However, it’s important to note that an inventory list can help you stay organized and ensure that nothing gets left behind during the move.
4 Weeks Before Moving Day
At this stage, you want to start fully committing to your packing efforts. Label boxes clearly with their belongings along with the room they belong to. For example, if you’re packing away your extra dishes and kitchen gadgets you won’t need to use until post-move you’ll want to label the box “kitchen.” Doing so will not only help you stay organized, but if you plan on having friends and family and other movers help you they’ll know where to place each box.
2 Weeks Before Moving Day
With two weeks left, focus on finishing packing and cleaning your current home before leaving. Clean thoroughly, throw out any items you won’t be taking with you, and donate or sell them. Confirm all the details with friends and family or with the moving company you hired, including special instructions for moving day and scheduled time. You also might want to begin packing a “survival kit”, which holds all of the items you must have during the first few days in your new space. This kit should include essentials like toilet paper, a change of clothes, toiletries, and important documents. This way, you won’t have to sort through all your belongings.
1 Week Before Moving Day
In the last week, finish packing your “survival kit” and all of the other non-essential items. Do a final check that all of your boxes are securely sealed and labeled, with fragile items cushioned to prevent damage. Be sure to have plenty of packing tape on hand to ensure all boxes are securely closed.
Moving Day
On the big day, make sure all packed items are loaded securely onto the moving truck. Do a final walkthrough of your current home and make sure you leave nothing behind. When you arrive at your new home do an inspection and direct the movers on where to place furniture and boxes according to your floor plan or preferences.
Top Packing Tips for an Easy Move
Once you figure out your ideal timeline, here are some additional moving tips specific to moving within Toronto and the GTA:
Weather
The weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be prepared for move-out and move-in day. You want to have extra protection for your belongings and covers for items that cannot withstand moisture from snow or rain. Consider using plastic bags and tarps to cover furniture and boxes, and have extra trash bags on hand in case belongings get wet. This can also be especially important during the winter months. If you do plan to move in the wintertime, ensure any walkways and driveways are clear of snow and ice to prevent injury.
Traffic and Timing
Avoid your moving day during rush hour, especially if you have to move through busy downtown areas or along major highways. You want to ensure you’re leaving yourself extra time for potential delays, especially with the city’s construction during the summer months. Additionally, try to schedule your move not during peak hours to avoid consuming too much of your time.
Parking Permits
It’s important to note that in some Toronto neighbourhoods, they may require parking permits for moving trucks or temporary street parking. Therefore, it’s important to check with your local municipality ahead of time to obtain the required permits and avoid parking tickets, or any delays the day of. Having the necessary permits in place can make the loading and unloading process throughout your move much more efficient.
Choosing the Best Boxes for Moving
Selecting the right boxes for your move is essential to ensure safety and organization.
Is It Worth Buying Boxes for Moving?
While you can often find free boxes from your local stores or online, investing in new moving boxes can help ensure reliability and durability. You might want to consider investing in new boxes to protect your fragile and more valuable items. Visit our XYZ Storage self-storage facilities for access to an array of packing supplies available for purchase, including moving boxes. Consider purchasing a variety of sizes to accommodate an abundance of different items and maximize space efficiency.
Cardboard vs. Plastic Boxes: Which is Better for Moving?
The choice between cardboard and plastic boxes depends on your specific needs:
Cardboard Boxes: most suitable for most household items and can be extremely versatile and cost-effective. You can easily label them and dispose of them after each use. If you have items on the heavier side, you can reinforce the bottom of each box with packing tape to prevent them from collapsing. You also might want to consider purchasing new cardboard boxes to ensure their durability.
Plastic Boxes or Containers: offer top-notch protection for delicate and valuable items, such as electronics, glassware, fine china, or sentimental items. You can reuse them and are environmentally friendly, making them a good choice if you move frequently or need them for long-term storage needs. As a bonus, they’re great for moving as they protect your belongings from the weather and are extremely durable.
Unsure of which one to go with? You can consider using a combination of both types during your move depending on your requirements for optimal protection and efficiency. If you’re looking for something more sturdier and weather-resistant, plastic bins may be the optimal option. Clear bins can be used for easy identification so you know exactly what’s in them. Add a label and it can be easy to identify what’s in each bin.
By following these tips and being well-prepared, you can help ensure a smoother and less stressful moving experience.
How Can XYZ Storage Help?
If you’re planning a move within Toronto or the GTA and require a secure storage solution for your belongings. Our self-storage facilities are easily accessible and located across Toronto West, Toronto Downtown, Toronto Midtown, Etobicoke, and Scarborough, ensuring convenient access no matter where you’re relocating within the city.
At XYZ Storage, we understand the complexities of moving, whether you’re downsizing, transitioning between homes, or simply seeking extra storage space elsewhere. Our facilities are equipped with temperature-controlled storage units to protect your belongings while in storage. These units maintain stable temperature and humidity levels, shielding your belongings from Toronto’s varying weather conditions. This is especially important for delicate items such as fine china, antiques, photos, as well as electronics that could be heavily damaged by extreme temperatures or humidity.
Our storage units come in various sizes to accommodate your storage needs. From all lockers for personal items to large units to hold the contents of your entire home. Additionally, we have 24/7 surveillance, secure access, and knowledgeable staff onsite to provide assistance and ensure the safety of your stored items. You can rest assured that your possessions are in good hands throughout your moving process.
Visit any of our locations to view our state-of-the-art facilities and discover how XYZ Storage can seamlessly support your moving and storage needs in Toronto and the GTA. We’re dedicated to delivering the best storage experience possible, offering tailored solutions to meet your specific requirements.
