25 Moving Supplies to Have Before Hiring a Local Moving Company

Are you preparing to move? If you are, then you need to make sure you have the necessary moving supplies before you hire a local moving company. The right supplies will help you to have a stress-free moving experience.

At Gilmore Services, we offer a full line of moving and packaging supplies to our clients. You may be wondering how many boxes you need as well as what other moving supplies to have on hand. Here are 25 moving supplies (divided into categories for your convenience) to have on hand before you hire a local moving company. 

Boxes

You probably already know that you need moving boxes before you move, but you may not know how many you need, or what sizes you need. You will need:

1. Small boxes for books and china
2. Medium boxes for bedding and household items
3. Large boxes for electronics
4. Wardrobe boxes for clothing
5. Specialty boxes for items such as big screen TVs and artwork

Gilmore Services can help you estimate the number of boxes you need for your upcoming move.

Clear Plastic Bins

Clear plastic bins (#6 on our list) are ideal for moving and storing certain items, including seasonal clothing, shoes, art supplies, toys, and holiday decorations.

If you already have items packed into clear plastic bins, you can probably move them as-is. However, you may want to acquire additional bins to help you pack and organize.

Packing Materials

In addition to boxes to put your things in, you’ll also need packing materials to protect your belongings in transit. Packing materials to have on hand include:

1. Packing paper or newspaper
2. Bubble wrap
3. Starch packing peanuts
4. Furniture pads
5. Quilted blankets
6. Large stretch wrap
7. Mattress bag

Each item you pack should be cushioned by packing materials and empty space at the top and sides of boxes should be filled in as well. This will prevent items from shifting and breaking during your move.

Sealing Supplies

Next, you’ll need the right supplies to seal your packed boxes. You should make sure to have:

1. Packing tape for sealing boxes
2. Masking tape to hold packing materials in place
3. Duct tape

Boxes should be sealed completely and reinforced at the corners, especially those with heavy items such as books.

Organizational Supplies

One of the biggest headaches during a move is making sure that your belongings stay organized, so that you can find what you need. Here are some moving supplies to help you do that:

1. Markers for labeling boxes
2. Post-it notes (to help you keep movers organized by labeling rooms in your new home)
3. Packing labels

We suggest creating an inventory of what’s in each box as you pack it and labeling it accordingly. You may also want to consider color-coding the boxes according to which room they should be in. That way, you’ll be able to sort items quickly when you move into your new home.

Miscellaneous Supplies

Finally, there are a few miscellaneous items you may find useful during your move. These include:

1. Furniture sliders to prevent your floors from getting scuffed
2. Trash bags for cleaning and transporting last-minute items
3. Box cutter
4. Measuring tape
5. Hand truck/dolly for moving large items
6. Ratchet straps or bungee cords to hold furniture in place in the truck

Having the right moving supplies in place will help you prepare for your moving day and stay organized before, during, and after your move.

Conclusion

Moving supplies are necessary for every move – and if you have the right things on hand, they can help to keep your move organized and as stress-free as possible.

Need help with your next move? Click here to read about our moving and packing services now!