So, you’re planning a move now or in the near future? Clearly, you’re looking for tips to make the process as easy as possible. Many factors go into moving to a new home, which can lead to frustration. It’s often a time of mixed emotions involving stress and excitement.
Moving involves picking up your whole life, right? That includes all your precious belongings, from furniture, ornaments, and kitchenware to clothes, technology, and every other item in your life. On top of relocating your possessions, you also need to negotiate moving labor, hire moving trucks, and pack boxes, not to mention labeling everything for simple unpacking. As stressful as moving can be, there are some things you can avoid.
In this post, we point out the five biggest mistakes people make when moving. They’re all super simple and unnecessary problems that you can prevent.
1. Not Labeling Boxes
Placing labels on boxes to identify the contents is often overlooked during a move. Considers an unnecessary afterthought, its importance largely depends on the size of your household and the number of items to pack. Regardless, labeling makes the moving process a whole lot easier.
If you forget to label all your moving boxes, you’ll have no clue where to unload all your boxes. As a result, you’ll have to take time to open each box to find out which room to place them. Simply take the extra step to label your boxes clearly with sticky labels and a dark permanent marker.
2. Using the Wrong Types/Sizes of Boxes
Perhaps more important than labeling is the actual boxes you use to pack your stuff. If you have poor-quality boxes or they’re the wrong size, moving things without risking damage will be nearly impossible.
Instead of simply purchasing any old boxes or grabbing some from the back of a store, buy high-quality boxes made for the items you’re moving. For example, you need a glassware box for your glasses and kitchenware and an artwork/TV box for paintings and television sets. Using the best-suited boxes for different items ensures your belongings are adequately protected.
In addition, you should use moving blankets and other types of padding such as foam padding and even clothing to keep everything safe. It’s also worth purchasing boxes with handles and flap/lock lids that don’t require tape. This will make it easier for you to unpack.
3. Hiring Low-Cost Movers
Something you absolutely must avoid at all costs is hiring cheap labor. The cheaper labor you hire, the poorer the customer service. In the end, your things are more likely to get damaged and become essentially useless.
Always hire moving help from a trusted and reputable company. They should also be licensed and insured. That way, you’re guaranteed to receive excellent service, and you can proceed with confidence knowing your items will be properly handled.
4. Leaving Fragile Items Unprotected
It goes without saying that failing to pack your fragile items properly is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Whether moving cross-country or around the corner, you only need to hit one pothole, and there goes all your glassware!
You should use glassware boxes combined with foam padding for anything like expensive China and tech equipment. Also, you can wrap foam or blankets around your more oversized items to provide extra cushion.
5. Scratching Doors and Walls
After you’ve packed, transported, and unpacked your belongings, another thing that frequently gets overlooked. You move all those boxes and furniture into your brand new home only to scratch a door or, worse still, punch a hole in a wall.
If you feel the pain just reading this, you’ll be relieved to know that moving blankets placed around boxes and furniture helps tremendously. Also, taking extra care while carrying items goes a long way in preventing scrapes. Oh, and remember that reputable moving labor company? They’ll come in handy now too.
Need More Help With Your Next Move?
So there we have it—five things to avoid when moving. All points made in this post are issues you can easily prevent. It will save you from a lot of anxiety and reduce the risk of damaged property. All you need to do is follow simple advice.
Moving problems can be a thing of the past with the right approach. We hope your next move is as easy and stress-free as possible. If you need any help regarding your next move, please reach out to us today.