Moving an entire house’s worth of stuff can feel like fitting your life into a few dozen boxes. There’s more to it than simply packing up your favorite coffee mug or the couch. You also need to figure out how to get everything—every last lamp, book, and bed—safely from one place to another without losing your mind in the process.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with the mountain of things you’ve accumulated over the years. But with a little planning, you can turn what seems like a monumental task into something manageable and less stressful.
Know What You’ve Got
Before you start packing, you should know what and how much you are shipping. Trying to move an entire house without a solid inventory? Not a great idea. Think of it as making a checklist for your life’s belongings—because that’s exactly what it is.
Start by going room to room and writing down everything you see. Don’t skip anything, no matter how small. Everything from big stuff like your couch and fridge to little things like books and dishes needs to be accounted for. Breaking it down by room helps make the task less daunting.
Having a clear inventory helps you see what needs special attention. Fragile items, bulky furniture, and sentimental pieces each require different handling. Knowing what you have means you can plan ahead and buy the right packing materials or deciding on the best shipping method.
Taking inventory might seem like a chore, but it’s a good first step in making certain your move goes smoothly. It’s all about organizing so nothing gets lost, broken, or forgotten. Grab a notebook or your phone, and start to make sure you know exactly what you’re moving.
Tips for Safe and Secure Packing
Now that you’ve taken inventory, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start packing. It’s not the most exciting part of moving, but if you do it right, you’ll thank yourself later when everything arrives safe and sound.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Boxes: A good mix of sizes will help with different items.
- Bubble wrap: Perfect for those fragile pieces you don’t want to risk.
- Packing paper: This helps fill in the gaps and keeps things from moving around.
- Tape: You’ll need more than you think—trust me on this one.
- Moving blankets or furniture pads: These will protect your bigger items from scratches.
- Stretch wrap: Great for holding everything together so nothing shifts in transit.
Start by wrapping each fragile item individually. Use packing paper to make sure things don’t move around in the box. If you’re shipping furniture or other large items, take apart what you can—remove legs from tables, cushions from couches—and wrap everything up in blankets or pads. This way, your furniture won’t get banged up during the move.
Once you’ve got everything packed, label your boxes with what’s inside and where it should go in your new place. Don’t forget to mark anything fragile so it gets handled with care.
Sure, packing can feel overwhelming, but it’s worth doing it right. Take the time now to pack everything up carefully, and you’ll thank yourself when it all arrives safe and sound at your new place. So grab your supplies and start packing like a pro.
Handling Large and Bulky Items
Now comes the part where you look at that massive couch or that oversized dining table and wonder how on earth it’s going to make it out the door, let alone to your new place. But don’t worry—it’s all about breaking things down and thinking smart.
First things first: disassemble what you can. Take the legs off tables, remove shelves from bookcases, and take apart any furniture that allows it. Smaller pieces are way easier to move and much less likely to get damaged. Plus, you’ll thank yourself when it’s time to fit everything into the moving truck.
Use moving blankets to cover surfaces and protect them from scratches and dings. Secure the blankets with stretch wrap or tape to keep everything in place during the move. It’s like giving your furniture a protective suit of armor for the journey.
Make sure you’ve got the right tools—a dolly, some straps, and a couple of strong friends. Don’t try to muscle through it alone. It’s not worth the risk of injury or damage.
And for those really valuable or delicate items, consider a little extra protection. Custom crates or professional packing services can be a lifesaver for your most prized possessions.
Choosing the Best Shipping Method
When it comes to moving an entire house’s worth of belongings, you need to pick the right shipping method that not only gets your stuff to your new home, but also fits within your needs, budget, and timeline. Let’s break down the main choices to help you make the best decision.
If you’re moving a smaller load or just a few rooms, Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping might be your best bet. With LTL freight shipping, your items share space on a truck with other shipments. It’s a cost-effective option if you don’t have enough stuff to fill a whole truck. Just keep in mind that your belongings will be handled more, which could mean a slightly higher risk of minor dings or delays.
If you’re moving everything but the kitchen sink, Full Truckload (FTL) shipping might be more your style. With FTL shipping, you get the entire truck to yourself. This means fewer stops, less handling, and usually faster delivery. It’s a great option if you have a large freight load or want extra peace of mind knowing your stuff won’t be shuffled around with other shipments.
There’s also the option of hiring a professional moving service, which can take care of everything from packing to unloading. This is perfect for those who want a hands-off experience, though it can come with a higher price tag.
When deciding which shipping method to choose, think about your budget, the amount of stuff you’re moving, and how quickly you need everything to arrive. Whether you go LTL, FTL, or professional movers, picking the right option helps make your move a whole lot easier and your transition into your new home a lot smoother.
Wrapping Up Your Big Move
The key to a successful move is all in the details—taking inventory, packing smart, choosing the best shipping method, and staying flexible when things don’t go exactly as planned. Those little steps make the difference between a move that’s full of stress and one that goes off without a hitch.
When it comes to making the shipping part of your move simple and reliable, GoShip is here to help. Our platform offers instant, free LTL quote and FTL quote, letting you easily compare options and choose what’s best for your move. With a trusted network of carriers, real-time tracking, and dedicated support, GoShip ensures your belongings get to your new home safely and on time.
So, as you unpack and start settling into your new place, take it slow. Enjoy the process of making your new house feel like home. And remember, this move is more than just a physical transition—it’s a new chapter in your life, full of possibilities. With GoShip, you’ve got peace of mind knowing your move was handled carefully. Now, it’s time to kick back, relax, and make new memories in your new space.