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Your move is quickly approaching and you still don’t know where to start with the packing? Many moving companies, including European Moving, offer packing services designed to take the burden off your hands and make your move as easy as possible. Yet, if you prefer to handle the packing work yourself, avoiding packing mistakes should rank quite high on your list.
Packing requires thorough planning, and it’s much more than simply filling up a few boxes with your belongings. Lots of people underestimate this fact and make mistakes, which turn their move into an inefficient and extremely stressful experience.
Have a read through 8 of the most common packing mistakes and make sure to avoid them at all costs.
1. Avoid packing mistakes: Packing without a plan
This is one of the most common mistakes which people make when they move homes. Packing random stuff into boxes without organisation and proper labeling will cause much confusion when it’s time to unpack in your new home.
How to avoid it: Before even starting packing and moving your things, you need to decide what to take with you and how you want to organise the boxes. Then, create a moving timeline and a detailed inventory list with different categories. Grouping your belongings will help you label your boxes with ease, and will make the whole unboxing process efficient and hassle-free.
2. Waiting until the last minute
Last-minute packing is the worst thing you can do when moving your entire home. It requires time and careful planning, so imagine the stress if you have to do the packing, loading and moving, all at the same time. You will find yourself rushing and stressing over everything concerning your move.
What’s more, the removals companies adhere to a strict schedule and the timeframes you’ve agreed in advance of your move must not be neglected. You don’t want to be the reason for any delays, do you?
How to avoid it: Make sure to start packing as soon as you confirm your move with the removals company, and spend a few hours a day in each room, by starting with the rooms you’ll use the least in the beginning. This way, you’ll have ample time to prepare and pack, and you’ll avoid all the stress and the confusion on your moving day.
3. Avoid packing mistakes: Not getting enough packing supplies
We’ve all been there: you are busy packing box after box, and you’re moving so fast when suddenly, out of the blue, you are out of packing supplies. It’s especially annoying if you have to run to the nearest store disrupting the whole process and wasting precious time.
How to avoid it: More is always better when it comes to packing supplies. It’s hard to figure out how many boxes, bubble wrap or packing roll you’ll need, so make sure to have enough. If you’re new to moving or you have plenty of things to pack, you will definitely want to buy a bit more than recommended. And check this page with our packing tips!
4. Not packing an Essentials Box
When all of your stuff is packed up in boxes sitting in your new living room, you will appreciate the value of a special moving box full of all the essential items you will need until you unpack and sort out the rest of your possessions. It may take an entire day or more to do so, and knowing where to find a clean towel or the kettle when you fancy that first cup of tea is something you will be grateful for.
How to avoid it: Save yourself the inconvenience and pack an essentials box with everything you need to survive the first night in your new home. For example, a spare change of clothes, toilettes, phone chargers, medications, bottled water, snacks, towels and anything you think you will need.
5. Avoid packing mistakes: Not labeling your moving boxes
It will take you a minute to label your moving boxes but if you don’t do it, it will take you hours to identify what’s in each box when you start unpacking in your new home. Imagine piles of boxes without labels sitting there. What a mess, eh?
How to avoid it: Spend some time labeling your boxes and mark those with fragile items. It will be much easier for the movers if they have clear instructions on how to handle each box. You can use a simple formula: room/ item type/ special instructions. For example: Kitchen / Glassware / Handle with care, it’s fragile.
This will save you much hassle and wasted time and will make unloading and unpacking quicker and safer.
6. Packing it all, or the wrong way
Packing all items you own, including those that you no longer need, will cost you time, effort, and even money. But is it worth it?It goes without saying that packing your items in the wrong way can put your belongings at risk. Packing the moving boxes too heavy will make them hard to carry and lift and can damage your belongings. On the other hand, half-empty boxes may dent or cave in during the transportation and cause damage.
How to avoid it: Before putting an item in the box, make sure that you really want to take it with you. Estimate its value and the cost of moving it to your new home. Get rid of all damaged items, items you haven’t used in over a year, items you don’t like, and everything that will cost more to move than to replace it.
How to avoid it: Make sure that the boxes are not too heavy or too empty. Don’t leave any empty spaces in the cartons and provide plenty of cushioning (bubble wrap, old cloths, etc.) inside the boxes to protect the items. Last but not least, don’t put heavier boxes on top of the lighter ones and make sure to seal the boxes with packing tape on each side and tightly enough for maximum security.
7. Avoid packing mistakes: Using inadequate packing supplies
It’s tempting to buy cheap, second-hand packing materials, but it’s not worth it. Using old boxes and cheap materials carries a higher risk for your belongings, and they can end up broken, damaged or scratched.
How to avoid it: Avoid packing your belongings in old boxes as they can easily crush and damage the items inside. Don’t use newspapers instead of professional packing materials to avoid ink stains. Make sure to get enough professional packing supplies, such as bubble wrap, foam sheets, etc. and always use coverings and blankets to wrap your items.
8. Not taking special care of large household items
Packing large household items can be challenging, especially if you’re moving for the first time. So, it’s no surprise that many people make the biggest mistakes when packing furniture and large home appliances.
How to avoid it: For a start, empty your large furniture of its contents and disassemble it into parts. Then, pack each piece individually to avoid any scratches and damages. Wrap the furniture in blankets or plastic wrap and be careful when loading in the van.
Prepare your household appliances by securing their doors with plastic wrap or tape to protect them during transportation. Then, wrap the entire items in bubble wrap or other protective coverings for maximum security.
Now that you know which are the 8 biggest and most common packing mistakes, make sure to avoid them. A simple packing mistake can ruin your entire moving experience, so keep the above in mind and you’ll have a safer and smoother move.
