Author: GSEO

Moving can be a daunting task, but the process of unpacking becomes significantly easier when you approach it strategically from the packing stage. One effective way to streamline the unpacking process is to go through your home before the move, leaving notes indicating where items will be placed in the new layout.

When packing, conduct a thorough walkthrough of your current home to determine how to label boxes based on their intended locations in the new space. For instance, if your office is currently situated on the main floor but will be relocated to the basement in the new home, pack the office belongings and label them for the basement.

Detailed Labeling and Seamless Organization

Providing detailed labeling during packing is crucial for a smooth unpacking experience.

Many areas of the house can present their challenges during unpacking: sometimes we lose storage space in one area, or we miss a built-in cupboard we had in the old house. We recommend while visiting the new home, to take pictures of storage places- cupboards and closets.

Linen closet? Under the stairs storage area? New walk-in? These are useful references you can use as you pack. That will help with labeling for the accurate spot in the new home. From our experience, at Vancouver In the Box, there is one area that most likely will be challenging due to a different layout. This is the kitchen, that tends to be particularly tricky.

The best way to start unpacking the kitchen

To navigate the complexities of unpacking the kitchen, start by associating items with large, immobile kitchen appliances like the fridge, dishwasher, and stove. Consider the proximity to the stove when placing items like spices, utensils, pots, and pans for easy access during cooking.

For added convenience in the kitchen, take into account your dominant hand when deciding where to place utensils or whether to keep them on the counter. Drawing from our experience of unpacking thousands of kitchens with varying layouts, we’ve compiled five essential tips to make the process smoother:

• Countertop Organization: Identify outlets on the countertop and strategically place frequently used appliances such as the toaster and coffee machine.
• Shelf Placement: Arrange the most useful dishes on the most accessible shelves, even if they were initially meant for a different purpose. For instance, keep mugs close to the coffee machine.
• Utensils and Spices: Store utensils and spices near the stove for convenient access during cooking.
• Glassware Organization: Divide wine glasses into upright layers instead of horizontal, applying a similar principle to other dishes.
• Avoid Clutter: Refrain from placing many frequently used items in the same spot, especially around your preparation area. For example, keep cutlery away from the drawer under the cutting board to minimize interruptions during food preparation.

By incorporating these practical tips, you can transform the often challenging task of unpacking into a well-organized and efficient process, creating a seamless transition to your new home.

Don’t want to deal with the unpacking? Contact us today! Our experienced professional team will pack and unpack your home, so you can relax.

As experts in packing and unpacking services for 15 years, we have been collaborating with numerous moving companies throughout the Metro Vancouver area, gaining valuable insights into the common pitfalls that can turn a move into a nightmare.

Six Essential Moving Tips

Here are six essential tips to ensure a seamless and stress-free moving experience:

1. Balancing Cost and Quality: The pitfalls of choosing a moving company solely based on price can often lead to unexpected expenses and a chaotic moving experience. Prioritizing service quality over price is crucial to avoid the domino effect of mishaps during your move.

2. There is no such thing as an ‘average’ two-bedroom apartment when it comes to determining your moving needs. The number of boxes and items can vary significantly from one apartment to another. To ensure an accurate estimate and a smooth moving process, it’s essential to have the moving company conduct either a video tour or an in-home survey. This way, they can assess your home, plan for the required number of movers, select an appropriately sized truck, and determine the necessary supplies for your specific situation.

3. Two men and a truck? Always choose to have more people and finish the move in less time. It’s important to remember that even two movers are human, and their energy levels can wane after seven hours of labor. As a result, the ninth hour of work can easily stretch into double the time, increasing the risk of accidents when fatigue sets in.

4. The elevator disaster: If you move from or to an apartment building, you are most likely having to book the elevator. In areas like Yale Town or Olympic Village in Vancouver, you typically have a limited window of time, usually around 2-4 hours, to use the elevator exclusively for your move. Now, imagine if the movers underestimate the loading time, causing delays. The consequence? You’ll either face penalties for exceeding the allotted elevator time or, even worse, share the elevator with others, resulting in a more prolonged and challenging move.

5. Incurring Additional Costs Due to Traffic Delays: Consider a scenario where you’re relocating from Richmond, BC, to West Vancouver. Your movers need to traverse two bridges, and it’s crucial for them to arrive before the rush-hour traffic begins. This ensures a smoother and more efficient move, as well as potential cost savings.

6. Insurance Considerations: Many moving companies base their insurance coverage on the weight of your belongings. If you happen to possess a high-value item that is also lightweight, you may not receive adequate compensation in the event of an accident. It’s essential to inform your movers about any valuable items and secure proper insurance coverage for them. Our top recommendation to clients is this: Maintain your home insurance on moving day. Inform your insurance broker of your relocation plans and ensure that your possessions are covered for their actual value during the moving process.

Packing Services by Vancouver in the Box

In one sentence: A planned move is a smooth move. For a stress-free move, trust us to make it a smooth journey. We pack – you relax.

What to consider when your moving requires ferry travel?

From 2020 to today, we have packed and moved three times as many clients to Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Sunshine Coast.

The number of clients moving from Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and to the Sunshine Coast, has increased steadily in the past 3 years. During 2022, 9% of the clients we have packed moved to the islands and to the sunshine coast. The year before in 2021 there were 6.5% and in 2020 3.5%.

We always say: a planned move is a smooth move; this is even more critical when your move requires ferry travel. So, what to consider when your move is a ferry move?

Even though you are staying within the boundaries of BC when moving to one of the Islands, not everything you have at home is allowed to be in a box on a truck on a ferry.

Packing Tips for Ferry Travel

Cleaning supplies: Household cleaning supplies, sprays, liquids, or powder present hazards in a truck on a ferry. A leak in one of the products can cause a reaction with another product or due to a change in the temperature. If they are placed in a closed box in a truck, it will be hard to find the problem during the travel time. The safest way to transport household cleaners will be in your personal car. We can still pack those items while all bottles upright and well-sealed. We will leave the box open and ask our clients to transport this box in their personal car where they can monitor any change.

Flammable items: propane tank, fire extinguisher, portable fuel tank (full), and compressed air tank can be transported on the ferry. However, these are all flammable and can start a fire, especially when they are placed in the truck. In this case, just like we do with chemical cleaners, we advise our clients to place those items in their personal cars where they can monitor any changes.

Food: If you are moving directly to a new home, you can transfer all food items with you. But if you transfer your belongings to a storage locker for a few weeks or months you can’t store food at all because food attracts rats. Even when the food items are well-sealed the smell attracts critters and bugs.

Our Packing Services will Make Your Move Smoother

How can you remember what goes where? You don’t have to. As we do our first packing consultation, we let our clients know about the requirements. Our packers are well-trained to spot those items and will advise you how to handle them on packing day as well. Contact us today for a free estimate.

More about ferry dangerous goods can be found here https://www.bcferries.com/travel-boarding/dangerous-goods/list-of-common-items.