Expert Moving Tips & Resources

Pick your move date/time around facility access hours and any quiet hours.

Reserve the unit (confirm size, climate control, and floor level) and prepay the lock (disk lock or cylinder).

Book elevator & loading zone if applicable; ask about cart/dolly availability and long-walk distances.

Make a room-by-room inventory; purge what won’t go to storage.

Color-code items by priority: Access Soon, Seasonal, Long-Term (use painter’s tape or sticky notes).

Set aside valuables/irreplaceables to keep with you: IDs, records, jewelry, cash, prescriptions, keys, hard drives.

Ratchet straps (4–8 per 16′ storage-unit tier or truck tier), cloth moving blankets, TV boxes, mattress bags.

Moisture barriers/desiccants for long-term storage; plastic totes for damp climates.

Pallets or risers to keep items off concrete; corner guards, shrink wrap, bubble wrap, labels.

No perishables, fuel, aerosols, fireworks, or corrosives. Check your facility’s prohibited list.

Drain oil/gas from mowers and power equipment; wipe residue.

Keep cash, firearms/ammo, credit cards, original documents out of the unit.

Box tight, fill voids, and tape seams (H-tape). Heavier boxes = small; light/linen = large.

Wrap furniture with pads + stretch wrap; remove table legs/bed rails and bag hardware (into a “Parts” box).

Artwork/TVs/mirrors in dedicated cartons; use corner protectors.

Climate-aware packing: double-wrap leather, instruments, and framed art; use silica packs in bins.

Stage heavy items nearest the door; set aside “Open First” box (linens, tools, chargers, toiletries).

Photograph electronic cable setups; bundle and label cords.

Pre-measure large items against unit door/hallway clearances.

Weight low & centered, tiered stacking, and strap each tier before building the next.

Keep fragile/top-load items for last so they ride high.

Place “Open First” box and tools where they’re first out.

Clear path from loading area; reserve a cart/dolly.

Lay cardboard runners or mats as allowed; protect door jambs.

Moisture barrier/pallets first; plan a center aisle for access.

Heaviest items and furniture frames on the bottom/back; lighter boxes on top.

Shelving = huge win for long-term access, labels facing outward.

Group by room or category (Kitchen, Bedding, Tools, Keepsakes); map the layout on paper or phone.

Use ratchet straps across rows to prevent shifting.

Close and lock the unit; test that the lock seats fully and the door seals.

Check every room/closet/attic/garage at origin, or every corner of the donor unit.

Confirm you kept documents/valuables/meds with you.

Snap photos of the unit layout for quick retrieval later.