PACKING TIPS
Pack a whole house in a weekend.
Packing is where moves go sideways. A little order up front turns three stressful weeks into two calm days.
Two weeks out: declutter first
Everything you give away now is something you do not pack, move and unpack. Do one room a night. Donate, sell or recycle, and keep a single crate for items you are undecided about; if it is still full on moving day, it is a donation.
One week out: pack what you do not use
Out-of-season clothes, books, decor, guest bedding, the good dishes. Pack by room and label the destination room, not the origin. Keep crates under about 40 pounds: heavy items low and in fewer crates, light items on top and in more crates.
The last two days: kitchen and daily items
Pack the kitchen last and unpack it first. Wrap plates on their edge, glasses upright, and fill gaps with dish towels rather than paper. Keep one open crate for the essentials you need on both ends: chargers, medication, coffee, a change of clothes, basic tools and toilet paper.
Charleston specifics: heat and humidity
A truck in July gets hot. Load candles, electronics, photos and anything that can melt or warp last so they come off first. Plastic crates with attached lids keep humidity and the occasional afternoon storm out of your belongings in a way cardboard cannot, and they do not soften if they sit on a damp porch.
Unpacking in your new home
Set the crates in the rooms written on the labels. Unpack the kitchen and beds first, then bathrooms, then everything else over the next few days. With rented crates you have ten days by default, and pickup happens at the new address, so there is no cardboard to break down and nothing to haul away.
Common questions
Should I pack in boxes or plastic bins?
For a local move plastic bins are faster to pack (no taping), stack better, and protect against humidity and rain. Cardboard makes sense for shipping or long-term storage.
How do I label moving boxes?
Write the destination room and a two-word summary on the short side of the crate so it is readable in a stack. Number crates if you want a full inventory.