POLL: It is MOVING time! It is time to pack up! Where do you start?

Question

Now, think of it as you are doing this yourself. No movers...who would you call to help?
Where do you start?
And how do you thank those who worked their tail off to get you out of the old place and into the new one?

Answer 1

First weed out everything you know you don't want and donate to a goodwill or something.Pack stuff you know you are not going to need right away. pack things that will be in the same room together. make sure to label boxes and label if they are breakable.
Put linens and bathroom stuff together so you have them fist thing.
Pack all kitchen items except perhaps enough pots pans etc for a first day or two in new place put paper plates and cups and disposable utensils and snack stuff in it for quick access.
Pack all clothing as seasonal.all other items can be packed on a room to room need basis also. pack cleaning supplies together put in last out first so if you need to clean you can do that before you have to much stuff in the way.
If you have lots of heavy furniture...Feed the helpers a good meal somewhere.Later that day or get together as soon as you are settled and make a meal for them.

Answer 2

Oh the dreaded move. I've done it about 15 times now! The first 10 family and friends helped. We were all young and strong. Now, everyone has back trouble and you have to keep that in mind when asking so as not to make anyone feel bad.

So it really depends on how old you are. If you're young and your friends are too, then first invite some gals who can help you box things up about a week or two in advance. Mark the boxes as to what room and a few of the main items in it. Moving day you will be all set. You can cook dinner for the girls and have a slumber party or just serve some drinks for the night.

If you are older or don't have the help, pack it yourself and then try your local college to see if they have a community service program or some boys willing to work for a reasonable fee. Let them help you on moving day. Otherwise start asking neighbors or the apartment manager for referals of strongbacks and pay them.

I just had to edit this to add a funny. Martha Stewart was asked by a caller recently how to prepare a house for outside painting. I am thinking she would say things like tape the windows, scrape the old pain off first etc. Instead she said "check the windows for cracks and put a piece of tape on it so it is marked as a damaged window. Be sure to check them all very carefully. Make sure everyone knows to use the entrance on one side so that no one is going through the area of work. Then when that side is done, have everyone use the other entrance. Be sure to place or build scafolding over any plants that are against your house so the *painters* don't step on your flowers. Take them lots of baked treats like cookies and fresh cold tea to encourage them to be careful and do a good job.

It goes to show you that there are so many perspectives on how to do things.
Oh and I also want to respond to the guy who said pack your private things and take them early so no one sees the naughties. I can attest to that being so true. One of mine fell out of a drawer and it was oh so hard to think on my feet... "Oh my God Connies gag gift!"
Best of luck.

Answer 3

I always start with the things that are stored in the closet, move onto the things that I won't be needing in the next day or so, then dishes. Usually, clothes and furniture last. An idea for showing your appreciation might be to take the people to breakfast or lunch before heading to your place to start moving. Or maybe getting each of them a gift certificate to some place they all like.

Answer 4

I just happen to be moving in a couple of weeks. I call my friends and we just start packing everything that I will not need for the next few weeks. This way on moving day all we have to do is move boxes and furniture and not have to worry about packing.
When all is said and done we start cracking open the beer!

Answer 5

I just finished the easiest move of my life, ironically yesterday.
I started by planning on who I might need to help, and I settled on 3 stalwart friends. I invited them over to help me move and then to a bbq dinner.
We started in the restroom and the bedroom and then the kitchen and living room. Always move the big stuff first then the small stuff, as you can move small stuff alone.
Utilize the time you have with help, because nothing sucks more then to think your done and see a shelf or tv that requires extra hands. Good luck

Answer 6

Who do you call?
Friends, family, people you know in your immediate community. Reach anyone who you know fairly well and can trust.

What do you take first?
The way that my family has always done it is take things that you really don't need first. (Such as wintery items.) If possible, do the entire moving process in shifts. Take a bit at a time. Save the furniture and appliances (if any) for last.

How do you thank those that help?
Try tiping them. Be sure not to go beyond your budget.

Answer 7

Depending on your age -

I'd ask parents, close friends. If those options are gone you could ask someone at work for a small payment.

Parents I'd thank by taking them out to dinner, friends by buying them beer and pizza and listening to them talk all day - co worker beer, pizza and 20-50$ depending on how much we do.

I would start with living room, bedroom, etc - keep some food and first aid, medicines and cleaning supplies (toilet paper) out and move that last.

Put your private stuff in a box and move it first so no one finds your naughties!

Answer 8

I would call my family and friends to help. I would start by packing up the dishes and cookware that I don't use everyday. I would thank those who helped by buying them dinner - pizza or burgers, nothing fancy - and making sure they had plenty of cold drinks.

Answer 9

Start wrapping up the very delicate things like nic-nac-picture frames-and things that mean the most to you. You don't wanna be doing the delicate stuff when your tuckered out!

I'm always happy with a nice dinner or buffet after the move is done---nothing fancy-but you really know who your true friends are after a move. best of luck!!

Answer 10

I would pack all the items that I don't use frequently first, because these would be the first thing to go in and last one to come out. The last items packed would be those that I use all the time and would need at hand fast. As for who I would call - all my friends. Please come help me move. Pizza Party for all helpers.