--- title: How to Pack a Garage and Tools for a Move url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-garage/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to pack a garage and tools # How to pack a garage and tools A garage move starts with sorting into three piles: keep, give away and dispose. Tools go in small boxes, long items get bundled, and paint, fuel and other chemicals leave the load altogether. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Garages fill up with the things that have no other home, and by moving day many homes have more in the garage than in the living room. The job is mostly decisions. Once the piles are sorted, the packing is about weight, length and sharp edges. ## Sort before you box Walk the garage with three bins: keep, give away and dispose. Anything you have not touched in two years is a candidate for the donation pile, and a garage sale or a charity pickup before the move keeps boxes off the truck. Walk through the estimate with your estimator, including the corners of the garage, the attic hooks and the shed. Everything on the written estimate is accounted for. ## Chemicals, fuel and paint Moving companies cannot carry flammables, corrosives and pressurized containers. The U.S. EPA lists household hazardous waste, including paint, solvents, pesticides, propane cylinders and car batteries, and recommends taking them to a local collection program instead of the trash. Check the list in [what movers will not move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/) before you pack, and drain fuel from mowers, trimmers and generators. Dispose of the rest at a household hazardous waste collection. ## Hand tools and small hardware Small tools go in small boxes, because metal is heavy. Fill a toolbox, close the lid, and tape it shut. Loose screws and bolts go in labeled zip bags, and the bags go inside a coffee can or a plastic jar with a lid. Wrap blades and chisels in a rag or cardboard and tape the wrap so edges cannot cut through the carton. ## Power tools, long items and bicycles Keep power tools in their cases when you have them, and wrap cords. Long-handled tools, rakes, shovels and brooms bundle together with tape or rope into a single package, which loads in one motion. Bicycles travel best with the pedals removed or turned in, the handlebars turned parallel to the frame and the seat lowered. A bike box or a moving pad keeps the chain grease off the other loads. - Label each cord with the tool it belongs to. - Drain gas and oil from lawn equipment. - Remove batteries from tools and tape the contacts. ## Furniture, workbenches and the shop A workbench can often be taken apart with a wrench. A shop vacuum, shelving and a heavy tool chest are bulky items that go on the written estimate. For the rest of the house, see [packing room by room](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/). If you are sending garage contents into storage first, [how to prepare furniture for storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/preparing-furniture-for-storage/) is a useful companion. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [U.S. EPA, Household Hazardous Waste](https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [What movers will not move (hazardous items)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/) - [Packing room by room: the order that works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/) - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to pack a bathroom](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-bathroom/) - [How to pack a home office and electronics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-home-office/) - [How to pack a closet](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-closet/) - [How to pack kids' rooms](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-kids-rooms/) - [How to pack patio and outdoor furniture](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-patio-furniture/) - [What to do with food and the pantry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-pantry/) - [Packing room by room: the order that works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/) - [How pianos are moved](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-piano/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can a mover carry my paint cans? Paint is on most movers' lists of items that cannot be carried. Use it up, give it to a neighbor or take it to a household hazardous waste event. ### Should I drain my lawn mower? Yes. Run the engine until the tank is empty or drain the fuel properly, because fuel cannot travel in the truck. ### What about a tool chest? Remove the heavy tools from the top drawers and tape the drawers shut. A tool chest is heavy, so tell your estimator about it. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) M Mark S. January 22, 2026 Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job. D Debbie G. October 17, 2025 Both movers were courteous, efficient and very carful with my furniture. Also, talking with Janet over the phone was a pleasure. L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070