Your Guide to a Stress-Free Summer Move - Part II

Summer this year, like summer of last year, looks a bit different than the summers we’ve enjoyed in the past. What used to be a care-free few months of fun in the sun is now the world’s second “covid summer” due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. With certain safety guidelines still in place throughout much of the world, individuals have found themselves needing to re-think many of their usual summer plans and activities. That might mean changing up the venue for a get-together, postponing a vacation or seeking out less crowded summer attractions. 

There is, however, one summer activity that hasn’t lost its seasonal popularity: moving! While summer is always the ideal time to plan a move (better weather conditions for moving, kids aren’t in school and many in the workforce have lighter loads in the summer), this summer might, in fact, be one of the best times ever to go through with your summer move. Since many of your other plans might be on hold anyways, now is actually an opportune time to spend your summer packing up and moving. 

“Your Guide to a Stress-Free Summer Move - Part I” discussed the benefits of a summer move, the importance of planning ahead and securing a date for your summer move, and why it pays to hire a professional moving company for your move.

In part II of this series, we’ll bring you some helpful packing tips and guidance for moving day itself, as well as some ideas about how to make the most out of your summer move. At All Jersey Moving & Storage, we have decades worth of experience helping individuals and families move during every season, but especially during the summer - the busiest and most popular moving month. With the thousands of summer moves that we’ve executed, we know exactly how to handle every aspect of a summer move! We’re happy to share some of those helpful tips and tricks with you so that you can experience a stress-free summer move. 

Packing Tips for A Stress-Free Summer Move

Don’t let packing take up your whole summer- plan ahead, and set a packing date.

Although these days, your summer might not be as jam-packed as it once was - and you most likely don’t have any additional grand plans if you’re planning a move this summer - you still don’t want your entire summer to be consumed by packing and moving. If you live on the east coast, warmer weather comes around only a few months out of the year, and you want to take advantage of those warm summer days and nights. Even a few days spent kicking back and relaxing at the beach or poolside can help you feel rejuvenated.

So, plan out your packing smartly! It’s wise to give yourself at least a month before your moving date to begin the process. As soon as you know your moving date, set your packing date for a month ahead of that and then give yourself a few days of pre-packing rest and relaxation. Or, if your moving date is fast approaching and you don’t have time to take off a few days beforehand, set concrete packing goals with the aim of finishing a few days in advance so you can squeeze in a little bit of R and R before the move. 

Summer is a great time to cleanse.

Take spring cleaning to the next level. Packing for a move is the best time to sort through your stuff and see which of your belongings you really need and want to take with you to your new home. Most of us end up with hundreds if not thousands of accumulated items that wind up just sitting around our homes, unnoticed and unused. Take the time to sort through it all as you pack. 

While boxing up your belongings, make three piles: ‘toss,’ ‘donate’ and ‘sell.’ (For bigger items, like furniture, do the same thing, but without the piles.) A good idea is to try and sell everything in your ‘sell’ pile first. That way, whatever doesn’t sell, you can simply add to the ‘donate’ pile. And there’s no better time to sell than in the summer. A garage sale is a fun, simple way to get rid of many of your no longer needed items. Then, when you’re ready to donate (and don’t leave it to the last minute!), contact a local charity. Many of them offer free pick-up services to help make the process as simple as possible.

Be prepared and well-supplied. No one likes running errands in the heat!

Before you begin the packing process, take stock of all your packing materials. 

Make sure you have:

• moving boxes
• packing tape 
• Labels
• permanent markers
• scissors or a boxcutter
• packing paper and/or bubble wrap.

All the supplies you need can be purchased at most home improvement stores or self-storage facilities. Pro tip: Buy more than you think you’ll need (you’ll need it!) and besides, no one likes running out to the store for more packing tape on a 92F summer day. So, rather than buying as you go, stock up during your initial shop. You’ll likely end up using everything you bought, and if not, you can usually return any extra, unopened items.

Be mindful of your heat-sensitive belongings.

Something to keep in mind when packing for a summer move is that you may want to transfer specific items in your car rather than a moving van. Even the fastest, most efficient moving job will take the majority of a day. And if you’re moving out of state or cross-country, it will take much longer. During the summer, you probably do not want delicate items, such as expensive electrical equipment, sitting in the back of a moving truck, where temperatures can be extreme. Pack those items in a box to be taken with you in your car. 

Consider a professional packing service so you can make the most of your summer.

In the summertime, many people opt for a packing service instead of doing it themselves. Rather than spend their well-earned summer days sweating over boxes, these individuals choose to pay for some help so they can relax and enjoy the summer months. 

If you think that you might enjoy the benefits of a packing service, call All Jersey Moving & Storage today to learn about our full range of affordable packing and unpacking services. We can do as much or as little as you like. With years of experience, we know how to handle all your belongings - from dishes to antiques - with care and finesse. We also come prepared with all the supplies we'll need, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. Summer only comes once a year; enjoy it, and let us do the work.  

Staying Safe During Your Summer Move

One of the biggest perks of a summer move is the ideal weather. The longer daylight hours and the more predictable weather (no unexpected storms or icy roads) all make moving a lot easier. However, summer weather comes with its own set of moving challenges, and it’s important to be mindful of them when preparing for moving day. 

During the summer, and especially on a day when you will be physically exerting yourself (moving day definitely qualifies!), keeping cool is top priority. Here are some ways you can help keep yourself (and your movers) cool on moving day:

Dress appropriately. 

You’ll likely be moving around a lot on moving day, both indoors and outdoors. To avoid overheating and dehydration, make sure to wear lightweight, breathable and comfortable clothing and a hat or a cap to protect your head and neck from the sun. Keep sunscreen on hand so you can apply (and re-apply) throughout the day. 

Make sure it’s cool indoors. 

Whether it’s the home you’re moving from or the one you’re moving to, make sure you keep it cool. If you have central A/C, keep it on for the duration of the move. If you don’t have central A/C, you can buy or even borrow portable fans to set up throughout your home. Don’t underestimate the physical exertion involved in moving (both for you and definitely for your movers). Even during the winter, movers often request that heat be turned off for the duration of the move. So, you definitely want to make sure it’s cool and comfortable enough indoors during your summer move. 

Drink lots of water!

Another very important thing to have on hand for moving day is water. Buy a case of water bottles from your local grocery and stick it in the fridge or freezer. Make sure to drink constantly throughout the day and offer water to your movers as well. There’s nothing worse than dehydration on a summer day, especially a day as important as moving day. 

How to Make the Most of Summer if You’re Moving

Make sure to get that R and R in.

If you’ve planned out your packing schedule in advance, you hopefully have time for at least a few days of some quality summer time. Make the most of it! Whether it’s hitting the beach or the pool or going on a hike, take some time to do the things you love even during this busy time.  

Make packing fun - with friends!

Since many people have a lighter summer schedule and more free time during their day, ask some of your friends if they’re available to help you pack. Once they’re there - make it fun! Play some music, serve up some beers or summer cocktails and make plans together for what you’ll do when you meet your packing goals. Not only will the job go more quickly with more helping hands, the time will also pass more quickly when you’re having fun and enjoying each other’s company. 

Host a house-warming pool party or BBQ.

Once you’ve moved, there’s no better way to start to feel at home and make new friends than by throwing a party. Invite old friends as well as your new neighbors to a pool party (if you have one) or to a backyard BBQ. Try to plan the event for a nice evening so you can keep everything outdoors and not have to worry about having your house fully unpacked and presentable.

Call All Jersey Moving & Storage for an easy, breezy summer move.

Summer moves do make your average summer busier and more hectic than usual, but it is definitely possible - with the right planning and the right mindset - to still enjoy and make the most of these precious summer months. And partnering with the right moving company will make it even easier to have an enjoyable summer even during a move. 

At All Jersey Moving & Storage, we know that summer is a time that you probably just want to kick back and take it easy, and we’re here to make that happen. We have helped thousands of individuals make their move during the spring or summer, whether it’s across town or across the country, and we are experts at handling every aspect of your move with expertise and professionalism. Trust us for all your moving needs and relax, knowing that you’re in good hands. We’re here to make things as simple and as stress-free as possible. Enjoy the last weeks of summer by taking advantage of our many packing and unpacking services so you have less work to do. We also offer climate-controlled, secure containerized storage services so that you don’t have to worry about any belongings you don’t have room for in your new home or don’t want to take along with you just yet. We’ll work as hard as we can to make even your last minute moves easy and stress-free. 

You can always count on us, at any time of the year. For the easiest summer move you’ll ever have, call us today for a free, no-obligation estimate!