Hello again and welcome to part three of our Moving 101 series. So far we’ve chatted about the ONE THING you should do if nothing else before you move, the power of purging before a move and some keen advice from an expert in the field. Today we are FINALLY getting around to packing. You’ve planned, you’ve purged, now its time to PACK!

And since I’m not a packing expert by any means, I’ve called in Bonnie from Finally Home to help me with some tips and tricks if you are DIY packing for your move. And if you are looking for a little bit or a lot of help with your move, she is the one to call!

Q: What are some of the most common packing mistakes you see?

A: Some of the most common packing mistakes I see are:

+ Not giving yourself enough time to dispose of or donate anything prior to packing (spices, mostly used cleaning supplies, clothes not worn in the last year).

+ Thinking movers care about the word “Fragile” on the box (they don’t)

+ Not labeling with enough detail. In addition to writing the room, include the top 2-3 items that are in the box. For example: “Kitchen” White Plates and Bowls

Q: What are the hardest items to pack? Any hacks you could share?

A: Some to the hardest items to pack are lamps, yard “gear” and delicate necklaces. Here’s what I recommend:

+ Lamps: Take apart the shade, base and harp and pack each of these items with other bases, shades and harps. Make sure you number each of them so you’ll know how to put back together.

+ Rakes/Shovels and Yard “gear”- easiest way to pack these is to put them in an open-top wardrobe box and call it a day.

+ Delicate necklaces: easiest way to pack is to tape down the top and bottom of the necklace to paper with painters tape. This avoids the necklace kinking.

Q: What are your top 3 recommendations if someone is DIY packing?

A: Start packing rooms where you know you don't need to use the contents before the move, while packing everyday items last. Start with off-season clothing, china, crystal, art. Last items for packing would be medicines, coffee pot and toiletries.

+ Do not use Amazon boxes for packing. It may seem like it saves money, but it winds up being more difficult to move because the boxes are all different sizes. Especially if you work with a mover, they like uniform-sized boxes and it takes more time (which = money) to try to fit all different sized boxes together on a truck.

+ If you need to order supplies, U-Haul, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Amazon will all ship supplies directly to your home. U-Haul sells the best packing paper option in 25 lb bundles.

Q: We all know that liquor stores have free boxes but what’s the best place to buy actual moving boxes?

A: In Nashville, N&N Moving Supplies in Hermitage. They are the supplier to most of the moving companies in Nashville/Middle TN. They also sell directly to the public. If N&N or another wholesaler isn’t an option, order supplies from U-Haul.

Q: We've heard finding a professional and reliable movers is one of the most challenging parts of moving. What should we look for in a good mover?

A: It is difficult and movers are like cars…you can have a Camry version or the Lexus version. Interview a mover to learn about how they protect your furniture and home during the move. Is their process agreeable to your needs? Do they pad and stretch-wrap all furniture or simply take the piece outside to a truck? How do they handle any damages? Is the team all W2 employees are subcontractors?

Q: Whats the craziest thing you've ever had to pack?

A: LOTS! Model Helicopters, Lego structures, over-sized chandeliers, a rock touched by Jesus, pet and human ashes, and adult magazines

Q: When should we start packing?

A: Start packing as early as 3-4 weeks before your move and pack 2 boxes a day. The momentum will help along the way vs. saving everything for the last minute.

Q: Tell us more about your services. Where do we sign up?

A: We specialize in packing and overall coordination of a move. We like to marry clients with the best mover to fit their furniture personality, timeline and budget. We even have people go on vacation while we take care of the move! Outside of the actual move, I think clients really appreciate having someone by their side during such a stressful time.