Now that you have used a gigantic mound of boxes and tape, your garage resembles a distribution center, and you are eating off of with forks you took from the fast food joint, the uncomplicated part is over. Now that you are almost there, a day or two ahead of the move itself, it's time to deconstruct.
You will most likely need to have a ladder for this part, along with the tools outlined in our last post. If you have had big window coverings you will likely need some wood filler, also. If you are moving yourself, you'll need moving blankets, baggies or small containers, and plastic wrap on a large roll for furniture, mirrors, art and lighting.
Be Flexible and Plan Ahead
Packing for a relocation takes a long time, and you need to plan for that if you are going to handle it yourself. A large dry-erase calendar should help keep you on schedule, and you can edit it as needed. There are three stages of a move--purging, packing, and the move itself--and keeping on top of steps 1 and 2 should make step 3 a lot less exasperating.
One of the worst errors you can make as a pack-it-yourselfer is to overweight boxes. Books are the worst culprit; they are usually small but they weigh a lot. Four or five hardbacks is sufficient for a small box, so fill in the rest of the box with lighter weight accessories--coasters, photos, magazines--that will go back in the same room or part of the house with the books themselves.
The Day Before M-Day in Tulsa and Oklahoma City
Since the big day is tomorrow, it's time to work on the pantry and the fridge. Unless you’re moving right around the corner, you should probably take all the new non-perishables to a food pantry, and toss the rest. For a short trip, you can pack perishables in coolers containing dry ice, but food is a lot like everything else--is unpacking those half-empty jelly jars worth your time?
Movers usually want the art and mirrors covered in bubble wrap or crated before they load them. If not, you still need to pad each piece (flannel sheets, beach towels, etc. work great between pieces) and move them in your car instead of the moving truck. You can secure lighting with a seatbelt if you're moving yourself.
If you assembled any of your furniture, now is when you need to dismantle it. Most furniture can be deconstructed with a slot or Phillips head screwdriver and a small hammer. Keep the bolts, screws, and other hardware in a baggie or container and label it, and tape it to the inside of a bed rail or a drawer so you can put it all back together again without having to run out to the hardware store up the street. It is a good idea to take photos of the hardware just in case something gets misplaced--and it will.
Box up your cleaning supplies and plan to take them to the new residence in your automobile--the chemicals can't go on the truck.
Cover furniture in the moving blankets and make sure the blankets stay put with the plastic wrap. The wrap won't ding finishes and keeps drawers in place when chests are moving around.
Moving Day in Tulsa and Oklahoma City
If you've spent the final night in your residence, you probably slept on mattresses on the floor, since your beds have been disassembled. You have also packed a small duffel with necessities for the day since all your clothes are in boxes. Place your linens and towels in a large box or bag, and off you go. Movers schedule their days in blocks, so a large move could take multiple days. The movers will likely be at your house bright and early and ready to get going—the clock starts when they get there, not after you've had your coffee. It is going to be a tiring day, so respect their time and expertise by being prepared for them.
Follow these tips for proper packing and you'll be promptly pleased with your new home—particularly when you can find the coffee pot.
