Whether you’re moving to a rural town, a bustling city, or somewhere in between, there are a lot of things to consider. Before you move in, you should have an idea of common problems that may arise so you can be more at ease. That’s why we’ve put together a list of a few common moving mistakes so you start out on the right foot.
Not Decluttering Before Moving
Since you’ll be going through everything anyway, moving to different residences is one of the best opportunities to declutter and downsize. It doesn’t make much sense to pay for things to be packed, loaded into a truck, transported, and then unloaded if you aren’t even going to use them in the first place.
Charities, consignment shops, and thrift stores are a great place to donate clothing, toys, and electronics that have been collecting dust. They’re often the fastest way to get items in the hands of people who will use them, but you can also sell your items on online marketplaces or organize a yard sale.
You can take your time with this process, starting with a simple checklist going room by room, and taking inventory of what you use and don’t use. What you come up with in the end may surprise you, and ultimately save you some time and money.
Overcrowding Boxes
If you’re rushed on time or don’t have enough boxes on hand, it can be tempting to pack things too tightly. Always use boxes that are the right size for your goods, and avoid making them heavier than they should be. Using boxes that are too big with a bunch of small heavy items not only makes unpacking more disorganized, but it increases the potential the bottom can fall out from under them.
The weight of boxes can creep up on you if you aren’t taking this into consideration as you are packing. This is especially common with books, so we recommend distributing heavier items with lighter ones. An easy way to account for this in the case of heavy books is using them as a base layer of sorts. Simply place them evenly at the bottom of each box and then put other lighter items on top.
Rushing through Packing
The process of packing isn’t entirely physical, and a bit of planning beforehand can go a long way. If you throw everything into random boxes quickly and carelessly you risk overpacking, damaging items, and make things more confusing while unpacking. In the end, the time you think was saved by packing at the last minute is made up for in an arduous unpacking process, so be sure to start early and take your time.
Using the Wrong Packing Material
It’s always better to be over prepared than underprepared when it comes to the right number of cardboard boxes, but don’t neglect packing material like bubble wrap, air packs, and kraft paper. The cost of these materials is cheaper than replacing valuable items that may be damaged without them. Sentimental items are priceless, so always make sure your fragile items are well protected. If you’d like to forego these concerns, Austin Moving and Storage offers professional packing services and we have the experience and team to pull this off correctly, efficiently, and quickly.
Mislabeling Your Boxes
This is the simplest mistake people make that wastes an enormous amount of time while unpacking. Even if you think you’ll remember what’s inside each box, by the time they’re shuffled around and relocated inside your new home, you’ll likely be met with a lot of confusion and running back and forth between rooms to find the right location for things.
Marking the boxes by room, and for very important items, means everyone’s in the loop as to what’s inside. This way movers can place them in the room they belong in, and you won’t become frustrated tearing through a dozen boxes trying to find that one specific thing you need right away.
Not Having Assistance
The number one mistake people make when moving into a new home is underestimating how time consuming and taxing the entire moving process can be. Remember professional moving companies like Austin Moving and Storage have a highly trained team of movers, the equipment to handle heavy loads safely, and properly sized and fitted trucks to move all your items in one shot. We’re ready to help you get where you need to be, so contact us today if you have any questions or would like a free quote.