Moving and Packing Tips from Atlanta Movers

Start early and move less

The cheapest, easiest thing to move is the thing you do not move at all. Before you tape a single box, go room by room and pull out what you no longer use. Donate it, sell it, or toss it. Less to pack means fewer boxes, a faster load, and a smaller bill.

• Start with storage areas: closets, attic, garage, and the cabinets you never open
• Pack a little every day, beginning about a month out, instead of everything in the last weekend
• Follow a plan. Our moving checklist lays it out week by week

Get the right supplies

Good boxes and plenty of paper prevent most moving damage. Grocery-store boxes and newspaper are false savings: they crush, and newsprint stains.

• Sturdy boxes in small, medium, and large sizes, plus wardrobe and dish boxes
• Packing paper, bubble wrap, and quality packing tape
• Thick markers and labels
• Stretch wrap and furniture pads for larger pieces

Not sure how much to buy? The packing estimator gives you a count for your home size.

Pack room by room

Kitchen

• Wrap every plate and glass on its own and stand plates on edge, like records, never flat
• Cushion the bottom and top of each box with crumpled paper and fill every gap
• Tape the lids of anything that can spill and pack liquids upright in a lined box

Bedrooms and closets

• Move hanging clothes straight into wardrobe boxes so they arrive ready to hang
• Leave light clothing in sturdy dresser drawers and remove anything heavy or fragile
• Bag bedding and pillows, or use them to fill large boxes

Electronics, TVs, artwork, and mirrors

• Take a photo of the cables before you unplug anything
• Use the original box if you still have it, or a snug box with padding on every side
• Tape a large X across mirrors and glass, wrap them, and always move them standing on edge

Furniture

• Take apart what you can and tape the hardware in a labeled bag to the piece it belongs to
• Protect corners and finished surfaces with pads or blankets
• Measure doorways and stairwells at both addresses before moving day

Label so unpacking makes sense

• Write the room and a short list of contents on the top and at least one side
• Mark fragile boxes clearly, and add arrows for which way is up
• Number your boxes and keep a simple list so you know if one is missing
• Mark a few boxes "open first": bedding, towels, coffee maker, and phone chargers

Keep moving day calm

• Keep medications, documents, valuables, and chargers with you, not on the truck
• Clear a path: move cars, prop doors, and keep kids and pets in a safe spot
• Walk the crew through the home and point out fragile pieces before loading starts
• Do a last check of every closet, cabinet, and the attic before the truck leaves

When to call in help

Pianos, safes, large appliances, antiques, and anything going up or down several flights of stairs are worth leaving to a professional crew. So is the whole job, if your time is worth more than a weekend of lifting. We offer local moves, long-distance moves, packing and unpacking, and labor-only help for loading and unloading a rental truck.