Packing Tips for Your Summer Move

There is no shortage of reasons why summer is the peak moving season. Of the almost 40 million Americans that move each year, over half move between May and September!

Why Are Summer Moves So Popular?

One reason people choose to move in the summer months is because of the weather. This is especially true in the northern states, where people want to move without having to worry about the snow, icy roads, storms, poor driving conditions, bad traffic due to weather, or the discomfort of loading and unloading trucks in the bitter cold.

Another reason people move during the summer months is because in some cities, June 30 or July 31^st are the traditional dates when leases expire. Landlords enjoy certain benefits of setting their leases to expire in the summer, especially in older buildings where landlords pay for heat. Further, summer moves involve less mess as less dirt and slush are tracked through common areas during the move. It’s also easier to complete repairs and repaint your new home.

Another reason summer is a popular season for moving is because it’s a slower time of year for many companies. Executives therefore often choose to transfer employees during the summer months, creating an even greater demand for moving companies.

For many of these reasons, home sales generally increase in the spring and build through the summer, so naturally moving companies are busiest at this time of year.

If you’re moving this summer, congratulations! Moves and change in general can be exciting, but they can also be very stressful. Spending your summer sorting through belongings and stuffing boxes isn’t exactly a dreamy prospect, especially when you would rather be enjoying the outdoors, sipping a cold drink on a patio or kicking back at the beach. You don’t want your summer to be tainted by the stress and aggravation of moving. The good news is that that with the right preparation, a smooth and seamless move is possible.

Here are some tips to help make a stress-free summer move a reality:

Secure Your Preferred Professional Moving Company and Moving Dates ASAP!

If you’re moving in the summer, you don’t have the luxury of waiting until the last minute to book your moving company. Because summer is peak season for professional moving companies, there is competition for trucks and crews. Prime moving dates get booked early. It’s important to plan ahead, especially if you want to work with reputable professional movers who are naturally more in demand. If you don’t book your moving company and moving dates early enough, you may have to be flexible about your moving date. Worst case scenario, if left too late, you may have to resort to using inexperienced or rogue movers with sketchy online reviews and track records for charging “hidden fees”. There is so much at stake that it’s never a risk worth taking. By doing your research, finding your preferred moving company and securing your moving dates in advance, you won’t have to sacrifice on the quality of movers you employ.

All Jersey Moving & Storage understands that despite your best intentions, you sometimes aren’t able to plan your move in advance. We do our utmost to accommodate last minute moving requests and weekend moving requests whenever possible. Our dedication to serving individuals and families in the New Jersey area, across the East Coast and beyond has earned us a reputation as reputable movers and we have helped many 1000s of people move to their new homes. Although we always do our best, it can be difficult and sometimes impossible to accommodate all of our last minute moving requests in our busiest season. That’s why we encourage clients to book their moves as far in advance as possible.

The Power of Packing: The #1 Way to Ensure a Successful Summer Move

• Get Started Early.

One of the most stressful aspects of moving is packing. It takes most people many years and even decades to accumulate all of their belongings, so it should come as no surprise that sorting through and packing them can be an extremely time-consuming process. In order to avoid the stress that often accompanies packing, the most important thing to do is get an early start. Professional moving companies like All Jersey Moving & Storage recommend that you begin packing a minimum of a month before your move. This way, you have time to methodically sort your furniture and belongings one room at a time without the pressure of your fast-approaching moving date.

• Create a System.

Possessions have a way of accumulating over the years. If you have a lot of “stuff”, going through your belongings can be very stressful and time-consuming. Sorting and packing your possessions becomes significantly easier when you put a system in place. You may decide to sort items into piles like “keep”, “give away”, “donate” or “sell”. Having a clear system like this will allow you to move swiftly through your belongings to decide where they will end up after the spring cleaning process is complete.

Once you have decided what you intend to keep and bring to your new home, create a simple labelling system. Labels should clearly identify the room that each box should be moved to upon arrival in your new home, and may briefly describe the content of the box. This will make your movers’ job far easier and ensure that all your items are moved to the appropriate location within in your home, making the unpacking process much easier. Because boxes are often stacked, be sure to label the sides of each box in addition to marking the tops.

• Say Goodbye to Unwanted Items.

This may sound obvious, but one of the ways you can reduce the amount of items you need to pack is by determining what furniture and other items you no longer want or need. By either selling, donating or giving away these items, you simplify the packing process by avoiding having to pack and pay to move unwanted or unneeded belongings.

If you plan to sell these items and are set on getting your asking price, be sure to start early. The summer is the perfect time for a garage or content sale, and you always have the option of selling items on a platform like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace if you get started early enough.

Remember, you also have the option of donating your unwanted clothing, furniture and other household items to a local charity. You may even be eligible for a tax deduction! Ask your professional moving company to recommend a charity that will pick up your items well before moving day.

• Pack Room by Room.

Because moving can be daunting, it’s important to have a packing game plan clearly outlining which room you will pack first and what rooms you’ll move onto next. Some people like to get started with smaller rooms like closets and bathrooms because packing these rooms gives them a sense of confidence and the momentum necessary to tackle larger, more challenging rooms. Others prefer to face the most difficult rooms first, such as the kitchen, living room or master bedroom, when they have the most time and energy. Once these rooms are packed, tackling the smaller rooms will feel like a breeze.

Whatever strategy you prefer, the main thing is to pack one room at a time. Rather than trying to pack your entire home in a few consecutive days, try to space out your packing schedule so the process is less stressful and physically taxing. This approach will leave you time to deal with the other responsibilities you need to take care of before moving day.

• Have the Right Tools.

The key to a smooth summer move is organization and efficiency. One way to ensure that you are able to pack efficiently is to make sure that you have all the necessary tools, from boxes and packing tape to labels and permanent markers. The moving process goes much more smoothly when you don’t have to stop and run out to the store each time you realize an important moving tool is missing.

• Consider Packing Services.

If you are tackling a last minute move, it may be worthwhile to consider investing in packing services. If you don’t have sufficient time or are overwhelmed with other responsibilities, you may end up stuffing possessions haphazardly into boxes without properly securing them for safe transport. This can result in costly damage to valuable and sentimental items. Because boxes are improperly packed and poorly labelled, it also makes the process of getting unpacked and settled in your new home much more difficult, stressful, disorganized and chaotic. Finally, if you aren’t fully packed on moving day, this may significantly delay your movers, making your move much more expensive than it should be.

All Jersey Moving & Storage understands that proper packing is a critical part of the moving process and one of the biggest challenges people face when they move. We offer both full and partial packing and unpacking services depending on your specific needs, whether you need assistance packing and unpacking all your belongings or simply want help safely packing your most valuable fragile items, chandeliers, art or antiques.

Many people moving in the summer take advantage of these services because they don’t want to spend their evenings and weekends packing for their move. Some people are not able to pack due to the how physically taxing the process can be. Others simply have too much on their plate and find that assistance with packing provides them not only convenience but badly needed peace of mind. Contact All Jersey Moving & Storage to learn more about our full and partial packing services. They may be more affordable than you think.

All Jersey Moving & Storage: New Jersey’s Premier Moving & Storage Company

All Jersey Moving and Storage is a one stop shop for all of your moving and storage needs in New Jersey. Located in New Jersey, we offer local, long distance, and storage services for both residential and commercial customers. In addition to safely and efficiently moving boxes and furniture, we also exercise the care and expertise necessary for moving pianos, antiques, artwork, and other valuables.

All Jersey Moving and Storage has proudly served our community, state, and country since 1992. We are one of fewer than twenty moving and storage services companies in New Jersey who have earned the “Circle of Excellence” designation from the New Jersey Warehousemen and Movers Association. This designation is awarded to a moving company that goes above and beyond the industry standard.

Moving this summer? Give us a call today.

We have helped thousands of professionals, families, seniors, college students and more complete seamless moves to their new homes. Whether you’re moving down the street, to a neighboring state or across the country, call us for a no-obligation estimate.

Our experienced movers are always happy to share packing tips and tricks that make moving safer, easier and more efficient. Click here for a list of moving and packing tips that will help make your summer move a success!