Before you start moving the furniture you would need to have an Allen wrench, pliers, large pieces of cardboard that are around 11” W x 36” L, two moving blankets and an extra pair of hands or two, depending on how large the futon is.

One of the first things that you have to do when moving a futon is to remove its covering. The purpose of removing the covering is to protect it from getting soiled or damaged during the moving process. Once you unzip the covers you should put it away safely in a plastic bag or maybe you can get one of the futon bags that are sold at the department stores for less than 15 dollars.

Using your Allen wrench, start taking the futon apart by loosening the arm bolts. You should have four bolts in your hand after removing them from the futon. Along with the bolts are barrel nuts which house the bolts. They should also be placed in a labeled sandwich bag and in a safe place.

The next step would be to remove the futon’s seat and back decks while it is in a flat position. The decks are usually disassembled in two halves so your next move is to remove both decks from the transmission clips which hold them together. After removing the clips you should also place them in a labeled sandwich bag for reassembling. The arms of the futon are attached to the stretcher and this is what you would be moving next.

You can do by removing the bolts that connect the arm to the stretch by holding the arm in a vertical position while the stretcher is in a horizontal position. Once detached from the stretchers, lay the arms with the insides facing each other and then you can begin to tightly tape them together making sure that the front and back legs are also touching each other. When you have completed this task, you can wrap the arms in the blanket.

For the stretches you can tape them at the top and bottom and place them on the front edge of the decks. Now take the cardboard pieces and after creasing them lengthways to form a U shape, tape them to the slated decks. The decks should be in an upright position as the tape should be adhered to the lower slate of the deck.

The most important thing you need to do is to start planning in advance. Planning always makes matters effortless. Moving plan is very helpful particularly if you are not moving immediately. Plan what to take with you and what to leave behind. Start packing those items that you will no longer use in your current home. These are your gardening tools and other outdoor equipment. You may as well begin packing your extra draperies, bedspreads and pillows.

Before start packing your goods you will need some moving boxes. There are always some sources of free boxes. You may ask family and friends who have recently moved for used boxes. Another option is to call local moving companies as they might have used moving boxes. Of course, you can always purchase new boxes from packaging stores.

Apart from packing, you have other tasks too. You need to call your bank, utility companies and change over service addresses, and schedule installation of service. You do not want to move in to a home without a power or running water.

If you plan on moving yourself, check out the phone books and call truck rental companies. Inquire for their rental prices so that you are able to compare. They may have special deals that you can take advantage of. Provide all important info so they will know where you are moving from and where you are moving to. Write down their contact details. Later on contact the company you want.

Moving is never an easy process, however, if you prepare in advance, everything will go smoothly. Keep in mind to pack your items consistently, rent a moving van that accommodates your need and offers the best value. After taking care of the above mentioned tasks, ask your family and friends who’s available to help you on the scheduled date.

If your time is limited and you have a lot of moving money to play around with then you should think about paying the few extra dollars for the moving company to send their employees out to pack up your household items. Without money on your side but a lot of time available, here are a few ways in which you can start getting those boxes filled up and ready for moving.

As you commence your packing project keep in mind that sensible packing is what you are striving for. When it comes to boxes, moving gurus would tell you that bigger isn’t always necessarily better. Why you may ask? Because when you are packing items in a large box you tend to pack in more items than is allowed at times and this could cause the box to fall apart when lifted due to how heavy it is. Never underestimate the use of small and medium size boxes. Small boxes are ideal for packing a kitchen, items such as photos that are yet to make it to the photo album, magazines, greeting cards and even books. Your medium sized boxes on the other hand can be used for carrying the majority of your household items (evenly distributed of course) such as stuffed toys, clothing, shoes, etc.

For packing items such as bedspreads, your linens and draperies, they should all fit nicely in those large boxes that you may have. As you begin packing, make it a rule to always place the heavier items at the bottom of the box followed by the lighter items just so as not to damage your box. As you go along packing, you can pretty much mix the heavy with the light until your moving box is ready to be sealed. Try not to exceed 50 pounds in weight when you pack though, since this can only mean the box is overweight which could eventually break when lifted. Finally, as you seal your boxes, be sure to use a generous amount of tape and reinforce with two to three layers of it just to be sure that all your items stay safely inside the box.

This article will show you the advantages and disadvantages of moving yourself. As well as it provides helpful tips on how to organize your move.

Do-It-Yourself Moving Advantages

The most important reason is that it is less expensive. At the end you will save some hard earned cash because you will be only paying for your usage. The moving expenses will be calculated based on how far you have driven and the size of the rental truck. You don’t have to hire someone to drive the truck; it doesn’t require a special driver license.

In terms of packing your goods, you can pack things according to your schedule and comfort. Another advantage of do-it-yourself move is that you are in charge during the whole process. You do the preparation, the loading and unloading tasks. With good planning the things will go through smoothly and worry-free.

Now the Disadvantages

Now you know about the advantages, however you should be aware of the disadvantages. Do-It-Yourself process requires a lot of job. You will not be able to carry large items without help of your friends and family. Without help, the whole process becomes dull. Moreover, if you have bad planning ability, you will certainly be anxious after completing the process.

Do-It-Yourself Tips

If you have chosen to do the move on your own, it is very important to be ready for the moving day ahead of time. You have to plan everything: from the moving boxes to pack until the very end of unloading and unpacking.

The first important thing you really to be concerned about is the availability of the moving van that can carry all your household goods. If you have confirmed moving date, then reserve the moving van ahead of time. If you’re relocation due to your work, ask your boss if they will pay for the moving costs.

Once you reserve the moving truck, start packing your items. Always use sturdy moving boxes for better handling. If you pack breakable items, ensure they are secured. Do not forget to make an inventory list of your items. Be orderly in handling your packed stuff. If you want to a particular item to go in your home first, then load them last. Also, make sure to load the light boxes on top of the heavier ones.