No matter what advertising blurbs say about removalists taking care of everything while you picnic in the park, packing for moving and storage is a serious business.
Here are the six mistakes to avoid. There are more but these are the big ones to watch for.
7 Packing Mistakes and 7 Hot Tips
Not Having a Plan – We hear stories each week about folk who make no attempt to prepare for their move day. As a result, nobody is sure what to load first, and where to place it at the other end. Things can go pear-shaped if the mover gets caught in a gridlock and is delayed an hour. Create a moving plan by putting different coloured stickers on items you want ‘first out’, ‘not so urgent’ and ‘leave ’til last’. Provided you are there to advise where to place them your move should work out fine. Moving does not have to be exhausting.
Make sure there is enough space for your items in your new home. You may need to use self-storage facilities to house some items temporarily.
PACKING TIP # 1: Have a moving plan
Not Decluttering First – The most expensive part of moving is packing and unpacking. The rest is just driving from one place to the other. One of the biggest mistakes to avoid is paying a mover to shift stuff you no longer want. Before packing for moving to ask the charity shop to look over your discards. Then send the rest down to the recycling depot. Travelling lighter saves money and there is less to set out on the other side
Sometimes we end up moving to a smaller place where we are unable to fit everything in. Quite often this includes seasonal gear like garden tools for the summer and warm overcoats for wintertime. Seasonal self-storage is a great way to sideline things we must keep but do not need for the moment. This means you have less to load on move day and that can be a great saving!
PACKING TIP # 2: Make do with less just before the move
Leaving the packing to the last minute – Being in a hurry at the last minute is a common mistake that leads to stress and breakages. Go into temporary down-size mode a week before move day. We are more than happy on holiday with a double bed, two side tables, two lamps, and two suitcases with clothes. Compare this to your current lifestyle. Hanging on to everything until the last minute is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid.
PACKING TIP # 3: Start downsizing a week before move day
Not Dismantling Modular Furniture – Furniture arrives at dealers in a ‘knocked down’ state because this saves on delivery and storage costs. Shifting things like headboard/side table combos and modular wall racks is inviting damage because manufacturers do not design for it. Packing for moving by dismantling first it not just a smart move. You could end up needing a smaller van.
PACKING TIP # 4: Dismantle everything you can into smaller pieces
Treating Everything the Same – Great Aunt Fanny’s antique sewing machine is not as robust as a microwave, because in olden times folk stayed in the same house for their entire lives. General movers – bless their souls are not antique specialists, and they do not understand that model sailing ship masts are brittle. Take care of precious things yourself.
PACKING TIP # 5: Do not leave your precious memories for movers to pack
Unsecurely Packing a moving truck – Bringing your Tetris ‘A game’ when packing your moving truck will save on multiple trips. Tying everything down securely, and making use of couch cushions and blankets will save on breakages!
PACKING TIP # 6: Use couch cushions and blankets to protect items
Cutting Back on Insurance – One of the biggest mistakes to avoid when packing for moving is underinsuring because you are never going to get a full payout no matter how hard you try. Moving in the rain increases the chance of accidents happening, and you can’t predict the weather!
PACKING TIP # 7: Play it safe: arrange insurance for the full replacement value
Can you see how crazy it is to leave a move to the last minute? Moving goes a lot easier with a little planning. The reward for everybody is less stress.