27 Nov
Moving day may be right around the corner, but you’ve still got one room left to tackle: The garage. It’s easy to see why many people procrastinate on packing this particular part of the house.
It’s full of awkwardly shaped items, many of which are large and heavy. You’ve got to deal with pointy tools and lawn equipment (which, let’s face it, often gets put away in a less-than-spotless state). All too often, the garage serves as a sort of dumping ground, somewhere to put all the odds and ends that just don’t fit anywhere else.
Packing a garage for a move can feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. These five steps will help smooth the process and de-stress your move.
Tip 1: Keep, Donate, Sell
Start the garage packing process by going through all of your items. Your goal is to decide what to keep and what to let go of.
After all, you don’t want to move things that you don’t want, don’t need, and won’t use. That’s just a waste of money and valuable space on the moving truck! (Bonus: Sell items you don’t want and make some extra bucks to help fund your move!)
Use your editing eye and organize your garage contents into three piles:
- Stuff you want to keep
- Items you can donate to charity or give away
- Things you can sell at a garage sale
Tip 2: Know What You Can’t Pack
Did you know that certain items can’t be moved due to safety regulations? State and federal governments regulate how you can move certain hazardous materials on our nation’s roadways.
You may not be able to move items such as:
- Aerosol cans
- Paints and paint thinner
- Gasoline or diesel
- Propane tanks
- Charcoal
- Fertilizers and pesticides
- Certain cleaning supplies
- Flammable materials
Your moving company will let you know exactly what you can and can’t move, so check with them before you start packing.
Tip 3: Packing Your Tools
Small hand tools are easy; simply leave them securely nestled in their toolbox. As for larger tools, wrap any sharp edges with bubble wrap and secure them in boxes. As for power tools, pack them in their original boxes, if you kept them. Be sure to remove batteries before packing.
As for garden tools like rakes and shovels, bundle them together and secure with tape. Then wrap them in a moving blanket, like a burrito. Drain the gas from equipment like lawnmowers or hedge trimmers.
Tip 4: Common Garage Items: Bikes, Grills, and Freezers
Disassemble your bikes before your movers arrive. Most models will allow you to take off the wheels and handlebars. You may want to use a specialty bike box that offers an extra layer of protection.
As for BBQ grills, movers aren’t allowed to move propane tanks or charcoal. Safely dispose of those before moving day (you may just want to give them to your neighbors) and scrub your grill.
If you have a freezer in your garage, defrost it several days before the move. Then clean it thoroughly and allow the interior to dry.
Tip 5: Keep Your Camera Ready
Packing up a garage inevitably involves some disassembling of furniture, tools, or equipment. Make the reassembling process easy on yourself by keeping all small parts together in clearly labeled baggies.
Take pictures of items before and during the disassembly, too. This will help you remember exactly which part goes where when it’s time to put it all back together again.
Time to Move
Moving a garage doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right organization and preparation, you’ll have a tidy garage that’s ready to move in no time.
Contact us for a free quote. If you need help with the packing, we can handle that for you too!
