What’s the hardest part about moving? Is it contacting utility companies, enrolling your kids in a new school, or finding a suitable home in the first place? While each of those aspects is certainly challenging, there’s nothing more tedious than packing for a move. Long-distance moving comes with an even bigger set of challenges. Luckily, the team at Condor Moving Systems is up to the task. We’re a Texas-based moving company, and our team is glad to help people with their cross-country moves. We’re more than just a few people with a moving truck—our team offers a full suite of moving services to get you on the road with ease! Check out our tips, tricks, and checklist for packing for your long-distance move.

Make Sure to Tick Off All the Boxes

When making plans to move, the best course of action is to get together a moving checklist. First, you’ll want to figure out what kinds of moving supplies you’ll need to get the packing process started off right. While every move is different, you can expect to need a few commonplace materials. Here are what supplies you’ll need to start packing:

• Plenty of moving boxes (check out our supply store!)
• Packing tape
• Bubble wrap or other forms of padding
• Scissors
• Box cutter
• Label maker
• Markers (bonus points if they’re color coded!)
• Dolly or wagon to move boxes as needed

Tips From a Seasoned Moving Company

Once you have all the supplies together, it’s time to really get into the nitty-gritty of the moving process. Luckily, our long-distance movers have all the tips and tricks you need to set yourself up for a successful move. Take a look at our tips for bother beginners and those who have already moved a time or two:

Don’t Procrastinate

One of the best ways to make your move more difficult is to procrastinate packing. Instead, we highly encourage you to get started early. Anticipate at least four full days of packing, and it pays to start stowing away what you don’t use much earlier than that. Whatever you do, don’t assume you can pack up your whole home in just an afternoon or two. Underestimating the time you’ll need only leads to stress and panic during an already high-tension time.

Start Small

Don’t feel like you need to pack everything all at once. If you start early enough, you’ll be able to begin with the smaller items you don’t need on a daily basis. Starting with these smaller items not only helps you declutter but also makes future packing days feel less overwhelming. Here are a few suggestions for what and where to start packing:

• Home décor
• Extra hygiene products
• Seasonal items
• Books
• Good silverware
• Old photos and keepsakes
• Guest rooms
• Basements and attics

Try Downsizing

Moving is a great time to get rid of things you never use. Are there old dishes collecting dust in the attic? Perhaps you haven’t worn that pair of dress pants in the last three years. Now is the perfect time to go through your belongings and say goodbye to the clutter. This speeds up the initial packing process and means you’ll have less to unpack at your new home as well.

Choose a Packing Area in Your Home

You likely want to enjoy the last few days in your current home or apartment, and you can’t very well do that if there are boxes everywhere. We suggest choosing a designated packing area somewhere in your home. For example, you could relegate packed boxes to a guest room or home office, that way, you don’t have to stare at cardboard while making lunch or lounging in the living room.

Get Out the Label Maker

Whether you’re planning a residential move or corporate relocation, labeling your boxes will make the process much simpler when it comes time to unpack. Even if you have a photographic memory, you shouldn’t expect to remember where every single item ended up during your cross-country move. Use a marker (or markers in different colors) to label each box with the following:

• What’s inside
• Whether it’s fragile
• Which side is up
• Which room it goes to

Don’t Skimp on Moving Boxes

Moving boxes aren’t created equal! Be sure to choose sturdy boxes that can handle the weight of heavy objects. If you skimp on this part of your move, you could be left with broken boxes and your possessions scattered all over the moving truck floor.

Watch Each Box’s Weight

While you should expect some of your boxes to be heavy, make sure you’re not stacking one box too full of weighty items. You want to keep your boxes as easy to carry as possible, and packing them with too many heavy objects can make moving a pain.

Create Your Own Checklist

Every move is different, so it’s helpful to create a packing checklist specific to your needs. While everyone knows to pack bedding, clothes, and electronics, some smaller items may fall through the cracks. Build your own packing checklist with easy-to-forget items such as:

• Chargers
• First aid supplies
• Hygiene products
• Prescription medications
• Extra clothes and other supplies for the trip to your new home

Don’t Take a Spill Risk

As you work toward packing up your entire home, don’t forget to consider which kinds of items might spill. At best, spills create a mess, and at worst, they can ruin your other belongings. Make sure to seal any risky items tightly in a plastic bag before stowing them away for the move. Be careful with the following:

• Liquid soaps
• Shampoos
• Snacks
• Cooking oils
• Hair gels
• Powder and liquid makeup

Know What You Can’t Bring

Moving companies like Condor Moving Systems have rules about what can and cannot be transported on a moving truck. Any chemicals, perishable goods, or hazardous materials should never be loaded onto a moving truck. If you’d like to have any of the following items at your new home, it’s best to purchase them new when you arrive:

• Nail polish and nail polish removal
• Hairsprays and other aerosols
• Ammonia
• Liquid bleach
• Weed killer
• Pool chemicals
• Fire extinguishers
• Matches
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Pesticides

Get in Touch With Us for Moving Services

Moving takes lots of planning, checklists, and, unfortunately, stress. However, Condor Moving Systems is here to help minimize your stress with comprehensive and reliable moving services. We have two decades of industry experience and are proud to hold certifications from two professional organizations. Our seasoned team would be glad to help you streamline your move, whether you’re moving across Texas or across the country. Contact us today.