One of the most challenging parts of moving house is packing and loading your belongings onto a moving truck. Whether you're moving across the country or just down the street, proper packing and loading techniques are essential to ensure that your items arrive safely and securely at your new destination.
Hiring a professional moving company can be expensive, but with the right knowledge and techniques, you can pack and load your moving truck like a pro.
Find out how to pack and load your moving truck efficiently, maximising space and minimising the risk of damage to your belongings. With these insider tips, you can save money and achieve a stress-free move.
Choosing the right size moving truck is crucial for a successful move. The size of the truck you need will depend on the amount of furniture and belongings you need to transport. A good rule of thumb is to estimate the cubic footage of your items by measuring the length, width, and height of each item and adding them up.
Once you have an estimate, check with the rental company to see what size trucks they offer and compare the size of the truck to the amount of cubic footage you need.
Keep in mind that it's better to choose a slightly larger truck than you think you'll need, as it's easier to pack and will save you time and effort. Remember that if you're not sure which size truck to choose, most rental companies have experts who can help you choose the right size truck based on your specific needs.
To help you figure out what size or truck you need, you can calculate the total volume of your inventory by using the Wise Move inventory volume calculator.
Make sure you have packing supplies and equipment to use for the move. You need sturdy moving boxes, packing paper and bubble wrap, stretch wrap, packing tape, a moving trolley, straps, moving blankets and furniture pads.
It's important to ensure that your items are well-packed and protected. They may shift inside the truck while in transit. Adding moving blankets and filling up the gaps with padding can help avoid your belongings from shifting. Moving straps can be used to hold items in place.
When you're ready to start loading items into the moving truck, you should start with the largest and heaviest items first. These are your fridge, washing machine and dryer, dining table, bed frames, mattresses and couches. The weight of these items may crush other lighter items if you load them last, so it's important to keep them against the far wall of the truck. You should balance the truck by loading heavy items on both sides.
A lot of the furniture we have at home is awkwardly shaped, taking up a lot of space. Taking these pieces apart can save a lot of room on your moving truck. Not only that, it's a lot easier to move them, especially through narrow hallways or upstairs. Make sure you do this in advance to avoid delays on moving day. Parts that are small should be packed and secured properly to avoid misplacing them.
Another tip for saving up space on your moving truck is by placing large furniture items in an upright position. Your items like couches, headboards, mattresses and tables will take up a lot of space if you lay them down horizontally.
After loading all your large and heavy items, it's time to load your moving boxes and items. As you did when you started loading your truck, you should start with heavier boxes. Lighter boxes and items can be placed on top of them. Before loading fragile items such as mirrors, flat-screen TVs, picture frames, kitchen items and smaller appliances, make sure they are well-protected.
Moving is such a taxing task, so don't hesitate to ask family and friends for help. It's impossible to carry large and heavy items on your own and load them into the moving truck - this could result in damaging your items or harming yourself. Having family or friends to help out can help speed up the process.
It's important to remember that the best way to pack your moving truck is with care. Avoid rushing, but if you're not up for a DIY move, you can always ask for help from moving companies near you. Not sure where to find them? Wise Move can help you with that.
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Wise Move is a platform, where people find moving companies and independent movers. Our platform is the first of its kind in New Zealand, giving customers access to reliable, cost-effective and user-reviewed service providers with just a few short steps. Founded back in 2017, our focus has always been on making moving as simple and as effortless as possible for both customers and the professionals they rely on.
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