When it comes to moving across the country, your garage — your home’s catchall for tools, equipment, and all those items that never quite fit inside the house — can prove to be more of a challenge than you might initially have considered.
To help make your move easier, we’ve put together a list of our favorite tips on how to pack a garage for a long-distance move.
Sort items. Decide what needs to move and what doesn’t
One of the best tips for a smooth cross-country move is also one of the easiest to remember: only move what you need. And it applies to how you pack your garage for a long-distance move as well.
Start by sorting all the items in your garage. While this can be a time-consuming task, you’ll thank yourself later that you did it.
If yours is like most garages, it will undoubtedly contain several useful items you’ll need to take with you–like handheld power tools. And probably more than a few items you can leave behind–like the inflatable Santa lawn decoration that ripped its seams last year.
Pick two areas in your garage. Designate one area for things you’ll take with you and one for things you can leave behind. Then go through everything in your garage.
When you’re finished, turn your attention to your “take it with us” pile and sort again. This helps to ensure you are only taking the things you really need. (You’ll be surprised how much you can leave behind.)
Get the right boxes and other packing supplies.
The simplest way to make any task easier is to use the appropriate tools for that task, and packing a garage for a long-distance move is no different.
Getting the right boxes and other packing supplies for items in your garage can help protect them while making your move easier. Because many of the items in your garage are irregularly shaped or heavy, packing them in inappropriate or thin boxes can mean spending more money to guarantee they don’t break through or require double-boxing.
While every garage is unique, several packing supplies can benefit just about every move:
- Sturdy, durable moving boxes in a variety of sizes
- Bubble wrap or packing paper
- Packing tape to reinforce the top and bottom of each box. Plan on using one roll for every 15 boxes.
- Blankets to cover larger items or provide an extra layer of protection for items in boxes
By properly packing the items in your garage, you’ll save yourself the hassle of dealing with items that poke out of packaging or fall out of boxes. The long-distance moving experts at Eden’s Moving Services can help you determine which packing materials you’ll need to pack a garage for your upcoming long-distance move. And we supply them, too.
How to pack specific garage items
Certain garage items can require special care. Let’s look at a few of the common considerations:
- When packing tools, it’s important to consider which items you’ll need to finish packing the remainder of your household items. Leave these tools until last.
- Hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, or pliers are best when moved in a toolbox. If you don’t have a toolbox, use a small, sturdy cardboard box and wrap each item individually in packing paper. Use crumpled paper to fill in any empty spaces to prevent them from moving around while en route. Use multiple smaller boxes rather than a single large box to prevent the box from becoming too heavy.
- Tools with sharp blades, edges, or points require special care. Wrap any sharp blades or points carefully with towels or bubble wrap, and secure with packing tape.
- Attachments and add-ons can be easily damaged if left attached to larger tools. Remove all attachments from power tools, like drills or other handheld devices, and pack each item individually. Remove batteries or drain power tools of any oil or gas before packing. If your power tools are electric, coil the cord around the power tool and secure it with a large rubber band or small bungee. Finally, wrap the entire tool in a large blanket. You can also use old clean towels or rags for protection. Place crushed paper or bubble wrap on the bottom of the box, and place your power tool on top. Tuck more bubble wrap around the side and on top of the wrapped tool before securing the box with packing tape.
Make sure to label everything that is packed.
It’s important to label every box you pack. Right now, you are likely to recall which box has which items, but by the time you’ve packed your entire home and garage and moved across the country, you might not remember with such ease.
Label each box with “Garage” and list what’s inside. For example, “Garage: Drill and accessories” or “Garage: Screwdrivers and Socket Wrenches.” Not only will this help you organize your new garage as you unpack, but you’ll also be able to find specific tools quickly should you need them.
Eden’s Moving Services: we’ve got your garage items covered
Long-distance moving is never easy, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stressful.
One of the best things you can do for yourself if you’re feeling stressed about an upcoming move is to stop and take some time to rest. This is one of the ways the long-distance moving experts at Eden’s Moving can help.
Our professional, trained, experienced long-distance movers are ready to help you determine which packing supplies you need and can deliver them to your door. If you want a more hands-off move, take advantage of our White Glove service and leave all the packing and moving to us. And because we’ve helped thousands of families like yours move across the country, we can help you plan and prepare for what to expect on moving day and beyond.
If you’re worried about what you might have overlooked or forgotten to plan for, partnering with a respected, professional, experienced Colorado long-distance moving company can alleviate those anxieties and help you simplify the process. We’re ready to help. Book your free long-distance move estimate today.
