In Southwest Florida, garages fulfill multiple needs. A garage may be used for craft and repair work, as a storage space for beach supplies and seasonal decorations, or as a graveyard for unfinished home projects. Packing up a garage can often be the hardest part of moving. Getting stuck on garages can be tedious, as opposed to a bedroom or dining room, garages can contain dirty, heavy, strangely shaped, and even hazardous, items.
Packing the garage requires a custom strategy unlike any of the other rooms in the house. You can’t pack things up haphazardly and expect the outcome to be positive. The outcome of a move can be greatly impacted by organization and protective strategies. The Moving Mavericks can help simplify the moving process for your garage. For moving services in Southwest Florida, contact Moving Mavericks at (239) 722-0000.
1. The Necessary “Purge”
Garages often serve as the location in which “clutter” is most prevalent. Before purchasing rolling tape, it is imperative that you sort through all of your belongings.
One-Year Rule: Consider all the outdated lawn mowers and old paint cans that are going to take up space and money on your move. If you have not used an item in over a year, don’t pay to move it.
Hazardous Materials: This is the most important step. Items such as paint and paint thinners, motor oil, pool chemicals, and propane tanks are dangerous and therefore illegal to take with you on a moving truck. Plan to have these disposed of at a Southwest Florida household hazardous waste collection center prior to moving.
Sell and Donate: Garage sales are popular among Florida residents. Take this opportunity to lighten your load, make a little money, and donate to a good cause.
2. Gathering Specialized Supplies
Most garage items need stronger boxes than standard cardboard. You will need some of the following:
– Heavy Duty Boxes: For small hand tools and heavy hardware.
– Plastic Totes: Great for garage items, as they keep them dry and protected from season pests.
– Moving Blankets: Great for wrapping cycles, tools and lawn furniture.
– Origination Packaging: If you still have the boxes for your power saws or drills, use them for maximum protection.
3. How to Pack Hand Tools and Power Tools
Small Tools: group screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers into bundles, and pack them into small sturdy boxes. Just make sure not to make the boxes too heavy!
Power Tools: Take out every battery and every attachment (like saw blades or drill bits). Take some bubble wrap or a moving blanket and wrap the whole tool. If the tool you are packing has a cord, wrap it neatly and secure it with a zip tie so it does not scratch the surface of the tool.
The Toolbox: For large rolling tool boxes, be sure to lock the drawers and wrap the whole thing in moving blankets. At Moving Mavericks, we have the tools to load these heavy boxes onto the truck. If you have larger tool chests, give us a call at (239) 722-0000. We will help you out.
4. Handling Lawn and Garden Equipment
Drain the Fuel: This is non-negotiable. If you plan to load lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and weed whackers onto a moving truck, they must be completely drained of gas and oil. Otherwise, leaks and fire hazards could occur.
– Remove Dirt: Spray off your tools with a hose to remove any clumped mud or grass. You don’t want to bring dirt to your new house.
– Tie Together Your Long-Handed Tools: Zip tie brooms, rakes, and shovels. Use a moving blanket to cover the sharp edges of the head so they don’t poke other things.
– Packing Chairs and Coolers: If you live in Southwest Florida you probably own a lot of coolers, umbrellas, and beach chairs.
– Coolers: To avoid mold, clean and dry your coolers. You can place non-perishable food from your pantry or small, unbreakable garage items inside the cooler.
– Bicycles: Wrap the pedals and handlebars in moving blankets to avoid scratching other furniture. You can also use bike boxes.
5. Safety First: Sharp Edges and Heavy Weights
The garage isn’t just full of heavy items, there are also sharp objects. Make sure all saws, axes, and shears are properly sheathed or wrapped in thick cardboard. When dealing with large, heavy items like weights or car parts, use multiple small boxes instead of one large one. This saves your back and helps keep the box intact.
Why Professional Help is Essential for the Garage
Many people think they can handle the garage themselves, but the physical strain and the logistical rules (like the hazardous material ban) make it more complicated. The Moving Mavericks is here to help the garage packing needs of Southwest Florida homeowners. During the transit, we will pack your garage items to ensure they are safe for the humidity and ready for your workshop.
Give us a call at (239) 722-0000 and we will assess your garage, including large equipment and specialized hobby gear.
FAQs
Q1: Moving companies don’t move propane tanks, do they?
A: Every moving company is not able to move propane tanks for safety and legal reasons. You will need to take the tank to an exchange location, or if your local laws allow, transport it in your vehicle.
Q2: Do legs need to be removed from my workbench?
A: Disassembly might be necessary if the workbench is oversized, or doesn’t go through a standard doorway. Moving Mavericks are happy to assist in disassembly of large garage furniture.
Q3: What is the best way to transport a collection of fishing rods?
A: To avoid breakage of the tips, use a PVC pipe or a special telescoping rod case.
Q4: What do I do with paint that is still in the can?
A: There are hazardous waste drop-off locations in every county in Southwest Florida. You can type your city name and “Hazardous Waste Disposal” in a search engine to find the closest drop-off location.
Packing up the garage might be the last thing you want to do, but with a little creativity and with some professional help, it can be managed without too much stress. Removing unnecessary items, applying the proper safety measures concerning fuel, and working with a company like The Moving Mavericks means you can rest assured that all areas of your home— including the challenging ones— will be moved with attention to detail.
Are you ready to clean out the garage and start new? Moving Mavericks will give you a free estimate on your full home move. Call them at (239) 722-0000.