Packing Your Garage for a Move
Packing your kitchen is tedious enough. But your garage may be even more mind-numbing with seemingly endless tools, hardware, and items you store to get them out of the house. Just as with the kitchen, you have a lot of items, maybe put away in cabinets, maybe some in boxes, maybe some lying around loose. Garages also have a wide variety of items to pack. You could have everything from spare screws to a table saw. However, with a plan and the right packing materials, it may be easier than you think.
Inventory Your Garage Before Moving
Well in advance of your move, inventory the contents of your garage. Pare down your collection of duplicate tools. Identify the items that are worn out and broken and consider tossing them now instead of moving items that don’t work. Just as with every other part of your home, consider whether you want to move items that are never or infrequently used, or whether it’s better to donate or sell them. If your garage is disorganized and a mess, cleaning and organizing before you start packing will make it easier.
Items the Professional Movers Won’t Handle
Items that cannot go on the moving truck should be disposed of safely. These include oil, pesticides, fertilizers, paint, gasoline, and propane tanks. Be sure to drain fuel and oil from gasoline-powered items like leaf blowers, string trimmers, and lawnmowers. Small hand tools like socket wrenches, hammers, and screwdrivers are best moved in toolboxes or small tool chests; you can fill in any spaces with crumpled paper. (Remember to keep a hammer, screwdriver, and wrench out moving day, as you may need them). For hand saws, wrap the blades in old towels or heavy rags, tape them securely, and pack in long, flat boxes. Small power tools like circular saws, drills, and routers can be packed in boxes; just remember to remove bits, blades, and other attachments. When packing tools into boxes, use small to medium cartoons to keep the weight down.
It may be worth taking the time to separate and store nails, screws, washers, and other hardware separately, by size. Small jars or boxes work well for this. Organize drill bits, saw blades, and other parts prior to packing. Taking the time to do these things will make unpacking easier than opening a box to find screws, drill bits, nails, and other items jumbled together.
Some Garage Tools Don’t Need to be Packed
You don’t have to pack some items. Long-handled tools like rakes, shovels, and brooms should be gathered together for the moving crew to bundle. Remove attachments and blades from table and standing saws; your moving crew will do the rest. For bicycles, remove water bottles and any clip-on items that may be knocked off in the moving process. Securely attached racks and baskets can remain. If you’re moving a charcoal grill, clean any ashes and coals from it, and dispose of any unused charcoal.
Most movers will handle items like motor scooters, riding mowers, and snow blowers, but you should discuss them with your moving coordinator prior to the move to see if there are any special preparations beyond emptying the fuel and oil. And while we recommend buying new garbage cans once you’ve moved, if you do decide to take the cans, you should clean them thoroughly before they go on the moving truck.