METCALF MOVING BLOG
How to Pack a Shed for a Move
When it comes to packing up different parts of your home for a move, there’s an area that many people leave until last: the shed.
It’s easy to see why so many tend to procrastinate when it comes to packing up a shed. After all, if your shed is like most people’s sheds, it’s likely filled with oddly shaped, large, or heavy objects. Plus, many items stored in sheds are often used outdoors, which means they may be a bit grimy.
But packing up a shed for a move doesn’t have to be intimidating. So whether your moving day is just around the corner or you’re still in the planning stages, these tips will help you safely pack your shed.
Pare Down Possessions
Just like other areas of your home, paring down the contents of your shed can make moving easier. Start by taking inventory of every last item inside the shed, from the smallest gardening tool to the largest lawnmower.
If you don’t want to keep and move all of it, group every item into one of three categories:
- Keep
- Sell
- Donate/Give Away
- Trash/Recycle
Spending a few hours getting rid of items you don’t need or want by selling, donating, or recycling will help simplify your move in two ways: First, you’ll have fewer things to pack and prepare for the move. Second, you’ll have less stuff to move, which takes up less precious real estate on the moving truck.
Hazardous or Restricted Items
Did you know that there are some objects and substances that professional moving companies can’t move? Due to legal restrictions, moving companies can’t transport certain things, known as restricted or non-allowable items.
Some of these restricted items and substances are often found in sheds and may include:
- Gas and fuel, including propane tanks
- Chemicals used in gardens and lawns, such as pesticides and herbicides
- Cleaning solvents
- Ammonia
- Bleach
- Acids and other corrosives
- Aerosol cans
- Fireworks
- Pool chemicals
You’ll have to either find a new home for most of these items — perhaps a neighbor wants them — or dispose of them safely and correctly.
Lawn and Recreational Equipment
If you’re like most people, you probably store outdoor and recreational equipment in your shed. Unfortunately, items such as lawnmowers, BBQs, and bicycles can be unwieldy, dirty, and a challenge to pack.
Start by disassembling when you can. For instance, bike wheels can be removed and packed in bicycle moving boxes. If you can remove the push handle from your lawnmower, you may want to do so. Finally, remove propane tanks and any charcoal from your BBQ.
Pro tip: Take pictures as you disassemble to make it easy to put back together again.
Next, clean the equipment thoroughly. You may want to degrease to get rid of tough or sticky residue before packing or loading any outdoor equipment.
Finally, when packing potentially sharp objects, like rakes and shovels, be sure to wrap the pointy parts with layers of old blankets, packing paper, or newspaper, then tape them securely.
Packing your shed using these steps may take a bit of time, but you’ll thank yourself when you unpack at your new home.
New Start
Are you making a fresh start in a new home? We can help with your move. Contact us today for a free estimate. We help make the process seamless.
