Whether you’re moving in Victoria or long distance, it’s important that your items are properly packed so they can make the trip to their new home or apartment. We’ll share a few tips for how to safely and efficiently pack your items for your next move without spending days to do so. The team at Y’all Call I Haul specializes in packing and moving, and can provide all of the services listed below!
We recommend our customers pack their belongings to save costs on their move. This cuts the time on a move sometimes in half, saving you both time and money. Our rates for moving in Victoria and surrounding areas are based on an hourly rate, so this is a great way to cut the cost of your move up to 50%!
Tip From the Owner, Donahvan Robello
Get Rid of Unwanted Items Prior to Packing
If you have junk items or belongings that you won’t need at your new place we highly recommend condensing and getting rid of them. This will allow you to save space, save time and money on your moving project, as well as make your job easier. Simply go through all of your rooms, closets, and garage to find clutter and items you no longer use. A good rule of thumb is if you didn’t know you had it your probably won’t need it!
We offer junk removal services to dispose of junk, trash, and unwanted items in our customers homes. This is a great service to add to your moving project to have your home trash and clutter free. We charge based on load size, and our team loads and disposes of everything for you!
Purchase Proper Packing Materials
Before we can start packing you’ll need to purchase the necessary materials. We recommend purchasing packing materials from Uhaul on Sam Houston, they always have materials in stock and offer packages based on your home size. Their representatives are also very helpful and can assist you with all of the needed boxes, sizes, tapes and packing material. If you want to go the more affordable route we recommend buying boxes at Home Depot off of loop 463, or Walmart.
Needed Materials Include:
- Boxes
- Tape
- Packing/Wrapping Paper
- Shrink Wrap
- Bubble Wrap (or some form of padding)
You will need boxes of various sizes, we usually recommend buying Medium and Small boxes. This allows you to pack your items without making boxes too heavy. We only recommend large boxes for light items. This also helps the movers pack and stack the truck when all boxes are the same size.
If you have a lot of clothes be sure to purchase wardrobe boxes for all of your clothes you want to remain hanging. These boxes stack perfectly in the truck and keep your clothes from getting wrinkled and matted up.
For your more delicate items be sure to get plenty of packing paper and foam to protect from damage. Paper is great for wrapping glassware with and the foam will keep your items from moving around in their box.
Pack Your Small Areas First
Now that you have all of your needed materials, you’ll want to start by packing your smaller areas. This would be your closets and bathrooms. We typically use a combination of small and medium boxes for bathroom drawers and miscellaneous items, and wardrobe boxes for all of your clothing items (hanging only).
We like to pack with as many medium sized boxes as possible to allow for the best stacking and stability inside the truck. Remember to keep these boxes light for both the movers as well as the boxes they will be stacked on. A good rule is if you can’t lift it neither should our movers!
Pack Room By Room
Now that your small areas have been packed you’ll want to start packing all of your rooms. It’s best to pack one room at a time and not leave that room until it is completely packed. We like to start with bedrooms, then living spaces, then end with the kitchen. It’s best to pack with the loading process in mind and know what you want loaded last and off the truck first.
We also recommend labeling all of your boxes by their specific room and leave a note if they are fragile or not. You can also stage your boxes in the order you want them loaded (first on, last off/last on first off) or simply have all of your boxes in one central location. Both methods will allow our movers to be more efficient and save steps getting boxes on the truck.
Specialty Items
Some items will take special packing or require a different method of moving. Our most common specialty items are televisions and computers. We request that these items are packed in the boxes they came in, or boxes specific to them (Uhaul sales TV boxes). This allows for proper packing and padding and reduces the risk of damage for the screens. We DO NOT move these items unless they are in the required boxes.
Helpful Packing Tips
This is a basic post for how to pack your belongings. If you follow the info you’ll be better equipped to pack your home quickly. Here are some more helpful tips for packing your belongings:
Pack Essentials Seperate
Packing essential items such as toothbrushes, food items, clothing, etc. in their own boxes will allow for easier access later on. If you have items that you want to get to immediately after moving them you’ll want them in these boxes. Label them as essential so our movers can set them aside for you, or you can even pack lightly and have them in your vehicle ready to go!
Use Towels as Padding
This is a great way to save some money on packing materials by using items you already have. You can use towels, washcloths, or small clothing as padding for boxes carrying delicate items. This works well for keeping items from moving around or being damaged in their box.
Plastic Wrap Your Liquids
Its best to pack your liquids separately, but as an extra layer of protection you should plastic wrap their containers. Make sure all lids are tight and simply plastic wrap from the top of the container down to ensure the lid is closed and the container is sealed.
Pack Boxes You Will Take
Often times we will recommend our customers take certain boxes with them that have highly fragile or sentimental items in them. If you have such items we suggest packing them in small boxes that will fit in your vehicle for transport, as a safer alternative to a moving truck. Although the items would be fine moving with us, it just adds peace of mind that your items are safe and limits liability for us.
If you have any questions regarding moving or packing be sure to give us a call. Our professional movers can assist you with any needs and give you tips for things you’ll be doing solo.
