GingerK

39 years of marriage, 20-something moves, 4 provinces, 4 countries, don't actually remember how many moving companies. If you are packing yourself, this is a good time to destash. Think about the weight of a single item in a box--books are heavy, china is better in small boxes.

Think of your car as if you were evacuating. Important papers, money, jewellery, medications, computers, pets plus supplies, and special non replaceable items should go there. Make a list of important phone numbers and put it in your wallet (or on your iphone--sorry I'm still old-school)

If you have time, start using as much as possible from your freezer. Make sure that the freezer is the last thing on the truck and the first thing off--and plugged in right away. Frozen food will stay frozen quite a while if insulated with a few quilts. So pack it last and replace it first.

Think of the time that you will be without your household goods. If it is only a matter of a few hours or a day or two, that is survivable. But if it is a week or so, start writing down what you need/use every day. And don't forget about the things that your kids just cannot 'survive' without--whether it is a scruffy stuffed toy or a hi-tech game, keeping them happy will definitely make the move easier.

(((HUGS))) bin there done that more times than I wanted to.

scraphq

You may have to transport the plants. Moving people refused to put them in their truck when I moved. Might want to check on that. Good luck with your move. I don't envy you.

Teacup

Have a box marked "First Night" and put in sheets, towels, blankets, essentials like soap, shampoo and toothpaste, toilet paper, paper towels, light bulbs (you'll probably take them out of the lamps when you pack) and a flashlight. Keep track of that box. Also, pack your regular medicines where you can find them, or keep them in your purse.

Ramona Byrd

[quote=scraphq]You may have to transport the plants. Moving people refused to put them in their truck when I moved.
----------------------------------
PLANTS...I don't know about your country, but here in the US we have some very strict rules about what plants can and can not go across state lines, and in cases of infestation, some counties sometimes insist on having them dumped.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Animals -- carry them in a crate.
------------------
Be sure to take all their papers with you, shots and medical papers/microchip numbers, etc. And make sure each one has a tag with your cell number on it, because old addresses and numbers are no good now and new ones have not been added yet. Should one get loose and found you could be informed right away.

Ramona Byrd

When the house is being emptied by movers, beg, borrow or rent a video camera and get close up pictures of all/each of your furniture, plus close ups of all the movers. Then get pictures of all the insides with someone standing in the middle of the room with today's paper showing the date, and walk around him taking pictures of all parts of the rooms in the house. This will prove that you left it in good condition, even if someone gets in later and damages it.

The pictures of your stuff will prove you had what is on the list..one woman told me she moved with her kids' 3 very expensive bikes, but wound up with 2 of them and a battered old one. The waybill said 3 bikes and 3 bikes were what she got.
And the pictures will prove the condition of your furniture in case of damage.

When you get to the new house, instantly put in new locks on every door there, because you have no idea of how many spare keys have been spread around the neighborhood by kids or friendly neighbors who came in to feed the previous tenets' cats. And do check the windows after the movers leave, to make sure they are all locked.

In rest stops leave one person in your car at all times, a family member said he arrested a gang that went up and down the highway, getting into parked cars at rest stops. It is very easy to open locked cars...doesn't take long at all.

Good luck in your moving.


windows

Laura3

We have moved more times than I care to count. All the above advice is right on and will help you get through it. The last move was for my parents and it was a real challenge. The only thing I would do is organize and donate first. Get rid of everything you don't want or need. That way if friends and family help with the packing they will know that what ever is in the house goes. It saves you the time of eliminating and explaining to everyone what to pack while you're doing it.

You will get through this and once you set up your new house it will feel amazing. I always loved the purging and the feeling of a newly organized and dejunked house!!

Good Luck!

ptquilts

Last time I moved (I shudder at the thought) I packed boxes and marked them with a location and a number. Like Kitchen 1, Bathroom 1, etc - the number meaning - #1, gets opened first, important things inside. # 2, #3, not so important to open right away, can wait until later. Saves a lot of time looking through every box marked kitchen when you just want one pan or utensil.

Last time we moved it was getting a 9 room house into a 4 room house. My advice - have a yard sale BEFORE you move!! no, we didn't!

Gal

Thank you so much every one for all your great advise on moving house, some I just did not even think about, so simple yet so obviously effective. Some things I have done already and I have made myself a list of all your great tips so I do not forget any of them, I have so much to think about at this point in time, my Mum is very ill and this move could not have come at a worse time but isn't that the way life goes!
Many many thanks to all and I loved reading your stories too!!

Gal

Furza Flyin

1. Check the local newpaper, I have always seen packing boxes for free here in the States.
2. Get a bright colored bucket with handle. In the bucket put a couple of rolls of tape(slide one roll on the handle, makes it easier to use and stick the end of the tape to the side of the bucket, markers(see below item 3, scissors for the tape(tie them to the bucket handle). A steno pad and pen, for notes while you are packing. Your portable house or cell phone(so you dont pack it and you dont kill yourself trying to jump boxes to find the phone) This has saved me so many times during moves. The bucket can easily go from room to room and you dont have to look for supplies
3. Go to the dollar(cheap) store and buy the MEGA(really really big) permanent markers in Red and Black. Mark all your sewing/quilting boxes with big Q or S on ALL the sides. You can choose different letters for each room too, K for kitchen, P for potty, BR for bedroom. That way no matter what side is showing in the box stacks you can find it. Anything that is breakable gets a big red X from corner to corner on each side and the letter.
4. If you are having people help you move, take a whole sheet of copy paper and beside each doorway in the new house tack the letter of boxes that match that room on the paper. It really helps. Dont tack to door incase it gets closed.
5. Get a moving box small enough to put in your car. In the box put the following:
a. toilet paper a roll for each bathroom
b. paper towels
c. flash light, night light, and small plug in lamp
d. bar of soap, wash cloths and towels(just one for each person the first night)
e. sheets and blanket/quilt and pillows for your bed(you are going to be tired and not want to look for this at midnight)
f. fork, spoon and knife (one set for each of you)
g. cleaning supplies
h. a box of pasta, jar(screw top) of sauce, and a pot to cook it in for your first meal.
i. hammer, + and - screwdrivers
and any thing else you think you will need the first 24 hours. AND put it in the shower or bathtub so you know where it is and it dosent get stacked under other boxes in the new house.
Congrats on the new home!

nativetexan

I now worry about bed bugs being in the moving trucks. pack things well and seal everything you can. label them too.