1. Start early

We know for experience, that the hardest and most time-consuming areas to pack in a house are garages and tools sheds. That's why packing tools for moving should be your top priority right after you take the decision of moving a garage.

So start early, and get this job done before working in other areas of your house.

2. Packing Materials

Make sure you have the following materials available:

  • Sturdy cardboard boxes of various sizes.
  • Plenty of bubble wrap, packing paper, or newsprint to wrap items and provide extra cushioning.
  • Heavy-duty packing tape.
  • An assortment of sealable plastic bags.
  • Cable ties
  • Markers.
  • Old towels and rags. They prove to be excellent wrapping and cushioning materials. 

3. De clutter your garage

Start by getting rid of all unwanted items. It doesn’t make much sense to pay for the transportation of items that you are not using now (let alone in the future.) Other people can benefit from these articles if you donate them to the charity or if you offer them to relatives, neighbors or friends.

You can also organize a garage sale to cut household clutter.

  • Attention: Do not pack these items

Be aware that there are several hazardous materials that can not be shipped, such as fertilizers, oil, gas, fuel, motor oils, antifreeze, paint and paint thinners, charcoal, propane tanks, pesticides, chemicals, car batteries, and cleaning supplies. These are flammable, explosive or corrosive items that the moving companies refuse to transport for safety reasons. That's why one of your tasks will be disposing with care all the items that cannot be shipped.

Regardless of whether the container is full or empty, propane tanks can not be transported in the moving truck, and the same applies to the charcoal you use for barbecuing, so it’s better to leave these items behind or give them away to people you know.

If you don't know how to move a garage, consult with your chosen moving company. They can provide you with a complete list of non-allowable items.

Next, group all the items of a similar size or shape, like long-handled tools with pruning shears.

Don't forget to secure the bottom of the boxes or containers that you are using to pack your garage items. Use layers of packing tape to add protection and prevent accidents. Remember that many of these articles are heavy and some of them have protruding parts and sharp edges.

Label each box with words such as “garage” or “fragile”, and write a detailed description of the contents inside.

4. Let's start packing...

 

a. Tools

How to pack tools for moving:

  • Pack your smaller hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc., in a toolbox and be sure to shut it tightly.
  • Use strong small or medium-sized boxes, if you don’t have a toolbox.
  • Put smaller hardware parts in sealable plastic bags to avoid losing them.
  • Group long-handled garden tools (rakes, shovels, hoes, etc), brooms and mops according to their size.
  •  Secured the open blades of your garden tools.
  •  Tie your brooms, mops and long-handled garden tools together in a tight bundle.
  • For major protection, wrap them tightly with a large blanket, and use bubble wrap or old towels to wrap any sharp-edged tools.

Attention: Even if it's just a local move, you need to take all the necessary precautions when packing tools with sharp edges such as pickaxes, knives, gardening sheers, scythes, etc. Wrap all the dangerous sharp blades with bubble wrap or just with old towels or rags. Then, use a strong tape or a long piece of string or cable ties to secure them.

b. Power Tools

  • Before packing your power tools, such as chainsaws, snow blowers, lawnmowers or any other gas-operated machinery, drain all the oil and gas. Remember that moving companies don't transport gas powered tools that have not been completely emptied of fuel. If the machine has very little fuel left, you can simply start the machine and let it run for a while until all the gas burns out. But if the tool still has a lot of fuel inside, use a hand pump to extract the gas.
  • Wrap the power cord around any the electric device to keep it from getting tangled with other items.
  • Remove all the attachments, including the batteries. Use bubble wrap, old towels or clothing to wrap the parts that you consider that need to be protected. If possible, place them in the same box as the main body to prevent loosing these parts.
  • Store small parts and auxiliary elements in sealable plastic bags (such a Ziplock bags) and place them in the same box or container where you are packing your power tool.
  • Use the original packages to store your power tools, in case you still have them. If not, use protective covers or bubble wrap, old towels and clothing to keep them safe during the moving process.
  • Remember to place small heavy tools in small sturdy boxes.

TIP: Before disassembling an item that is hard to put back together, take a picture of it.  Pictures are a good reference when you try to reassembly the product later on. 

c. Trash Cans

If you decide to take the garbage cans with you, clean them first. You can store items inside these containers instead of buying more boxes. Just try not to make them too heavy to facilitate the transportation.

d. Pots and Planters

  • Wrap small pottery or ceramic planters individually.
  • Add plenty of cushioning materials inside the boxes or containers where they are packed.
  • In case you want to move extra large or unusual planters, consult with an experienced moving company.

e. Car and/or motorcycle

Contact an auto transportation company for a quote, if you are not driving your vehicle to your new place. They will help you to get your car or motorcycle ready for the relocation trip, and they will deliver the vehicle at your door or at a convenient point.

As previously stated, packing and moving a garage or a shed is truly a major task. It could take hours or days of hard work to complete the job, since most of these spaces are filled with heavy, odd-shaped and sharp objects that require proper packaging to avoid accidents. For that reason, if you prefer not to handle the job by yourself or you don't have the time to do this, call a professional moving company.

Here, in Route 66 Moving, we have the expertise and the right materials and equipment to pack and transport these items properly.