Move Easier

Moving, undoubtedly causes a high degree of emotional and physical stress. As anyone who has moved before knows, what to do and where to begin can be one of the most difficult aspects. Prioritizing tasks and coming up with a plan before beginning the process can significantly help reduce stress by providing clarity in a seemingly chaotic time. We’ve compiled some tips and tricks to help you get through your move easily. 

1. Start early and give yourself enough time to deal with any surprises. This is the best way to ensure a stress-free move. Start your process 6-8 weeks before move day.
2. Organize your items and sort through any clutter areas. This is also a great time to take inventory of what you have. 
3. Donate, recycle and repurpose anything you no longer need. There is no use in moving items you won’t be using. 
4. Loading all of your boxes and furniture in one day can be stressful. If you have the space, book a mobile storage container.  It can be placed in your driveway so you can load at your leisure. Take a month or six to load your belongings.
5. Get your moving supplies. For easy storage and transport, you will want quality boxes, packing tape to secure them closed, bubble wrap for any breakable items and sealable plastic bins for liquids. 
6. Start packing room by room. Pack things you don’t use as frequently first, such as photos, souvenirs and seasonal items. Be sure to label each box with the room it’s from and its contents. 
7. Don’t forget to prepare your appliances. As they are used frequently, they are often overlooked until the last minute. Be sure fridges and freezers are unplugged, completely defrosted, dry and clean before being stored or transported. To avoid mildew or mould, place 1-inch folded pieces of carboard between seals to allow air flow. Taping down exterior cords will minimize the risk of damage. If the cords can be removed, place them inside the appliance to prevent loss.  
8. Prepare furniture by dissembling, removing feet or legs, and storing screws or parts in a labelled, sealable bag. Drawers can be left in dressers so long as they are secured in place. 
9. Once everything is prepared you can begin packing your storage container. Weight should be evenly distributed across the container. One way to achieve this is to line up appliances and dressers opposite of one another along the side of the container. If looking to optimize space, couches can be placed on their side, artwork and pictures can be placed in-between appliances and cushions and pillows can be used as buffers between fragile items. Always place less frequently used belongings at the back of the container and items you might need access to up front. Creating an inventory list is a great way to keep track of where things are, especially if storing your things for a prolonged period of time. 
10. Once everything is packed, secure your items by looping straps in an ‘X’ shape through the interior wall rings, close the doors and place a lock inside the lockbox. Your items are now secure from weather, rodents, theft and water.
11.  Give your mobile storage company 24 hours-notice to transport the container to the new location.
12. Celebrate, because the hardest part is over!

Secure-Rite specializes in mobile storage, building solutions and custom design, utilizing one of the most durable structures in the world – shipping containers. We provide Western Canada with weatherproof and watertight sea cans for residential, industrial and commercial use. Whatever the need, Secure-Rite can provide simple, secure and smart solutions.