Move Like a Pro!

A lot of us like to hire a moving company. But, I know at Sotheby’s Phoenix, that some of you like to move yourself, especially if you’re not moving far away. But there’s a strategy involved in packing and loading a moving truck. It seems simple enough, but is it really?

There’s an art to packing and placing everything in its proper place on the moving truck.  Unless you know what you’re doing, it could be disastrous. But if you follow these tips on how to move like a pro, you shouldn’t have any problem.

Moving Boxes

I know at Sotheby’s Phoenix, it’s best to stick to the same size or similar size moving boxes since they’re easier to stack on a moving truck. Don’t use laundry baskets or trash cans. Plastic storage bins also don’t work well due to the unusual size and lightweight material. 

It’s also best to organize boxes by weight. Put them into three piles — heaviest, average, and lightest. 

Loading a Moving Truck

It seems logical to load boxes into a moving truck first. The company, You Move Me, says that’s counterproductive. Instead, start off loading heavy furnishings, such as dressers, into the moving truck. This makes sense since the heaviest items are the least likely to move around. 

The goal is to load a moving truck so it’s not overloaded or unbalanced. Otherwise, it could be a safety hazard. 

It’s also a good idea, I know at Sotheby’s Phoenix, to wrap furniture in plastic drop cloths to prevent damage. Check to make sure straps come with your rental truck. Or you can buy or rent them. 

After loading furniture, next, focus on stacking boxes. To avoid damage, place the heaviest ones on the floor and then stack with the lightest boxes being at the top. You might even want to use straps on boxes, as well as furniture, to keep things from shifting. 

The last thing you should load a moving truck with are the lighter and odd-shaped items. That’s so the truck will stay balanced and hopefully keep things from getting broken. 

Don’t Load Everything

Keep anything hazardous off of the moving truck. Even if liquids, combustibles, or perishable items are packed properly, I know at Sotheby’s Phoenix, you still run the risk of spills.

Fragile items such as art or specialty lamps are best to put in the car.

Finally, lock the truck. Simple advice, but thieves can be watching and you don’t want to open an empty truck. 

If you or anyone you know is interested in Sotheby’s Phoenix or Sotheby’s Scottsdale Real Estate, please check out my website, www.Realestateforsaleinaz.com, and I’ll be happy to help.