Whether you are moving across town or across the country, relocating involves a great deal of planning and hard work. You have to obtain boxes and packing materials. You have to create a plan of action. Then you have to rent a moving truck.

Among the moving companies in Greensboro, North Carolina, look to Steele & Vaughn to arrange your next move. And here are 7 smart packing tips to make that move as smooth as possible.

Organization is Key

Long before moving day arrives, sit down and create a plan of action. Set packing deadlines. Make lists of what you plan to box up and what you plan to get rid of. Develop a timeline for packing each room, and be ready to stick to it. Use different colored labels for boxes in different rooms. This will make placing the boxes in the right rooms at the other end much easier.

Pack more efficiently

Packing can be a time-consuming process, but if you have everything you need for the job before you start you can save yourself a great deal of time. Buy several different sizes and styles of boxes. Make sure you have bubble wrap and wrapping paper to protect your valuables. Get several rolls of packing tape to seal your boxes. And keep bigger boxes for things like clothes, sheets, towels and blankets that are light in weight. Put smaller, heavier items in smaller boxes and wrap them carefully.

Don’t Pack the Wrong Things

There are certain things you should never pack and allow movers to take. These include your family’s medical records, school paperwork and anything you are likely to need immediately in your new home. You can put most of these items in one or two backpacks. You may also want to consider taking things like jewelry, prescription medication and cash with you. Never pack perishable foods, plant fertilizers or anything else that is considered toxic or dangerous.

Pack a Moving Bag

Since the vast majority of everything you own is going to be in a series of cardboard boxes, you should plan to pack a moving bag for each member of your family, even if you are only moving across town. This bag should include clothes for at least one day, or as many days as you expect the move to take, plus one. This will save you from having to rummage through boxes for fresh clothes the first day in your new home.

Arrange Your Boxes for the Movers

Most professional moving companies in Greensboro know well how to properly pack a truck. However, if you take the time to place the heaviest boxes where they can be accessed first, you will make their job much easier. This will also help speed up the loading and unloading.

Make Unloading Easier

Your moving company agents have no idea what your new home looks like or how it’s laid out. Even though your boxes have color-coded labels, movers don’t know where to put them in your new home. Try putting a color-coded card outside the door to each room. This will make the job of unloading much easier and faster.

Should You Hire a Professional Moving Company?

A professional moving company can make the entire process go more smoothly. If you can afford one, it is the best choice. Bear in mind that by the time you purchase moving supplies and rent a truck, the difference in cost between hiring movers and moving everything yourself may not be as much as you think.

At Steele & Vaughn, we offer professional moving services locally in North Carolina and across the United States. We provide our customers with flawless service and the kind of personalized care that guarantees your possessions arrive at their destination in perfect condition. Contact us and let our experts handle your next move.