Moving house is a deceptively simple process. All you need to do is pack your stuff and move to your new abode, right? Wrong! The number of things that can go wrong is absolutely unbelievable. This is especially so when the move is not well planned out. One of the key areas you need to think about is the packing. To help you have a stress-free move, here are some handy tips on how to pack for moving house.
Mistake 1: Packing Without a Plan
Many people start boxing household items randomly when they start packing for a move. This is a disaster waiting to happen. The best way to go about it is to have a clear packing strategy. Create a packing calendar that you check frequently to guide you through the packing process. Prioritize your packing tasks and stretch them out over a couple of weeks. You can go room by room to make the process progressive and meaningful.
Mistake 2: Leaving Packing Jobs for Moving day
Postponing packing jobs until the leaving day is one of the most common packing mistakes. This just creates more stress for you on the packing day. You’ll end up packing under pressure and making mistakes as a result. The rule of thumb for packing is – the only way to get something done is to do it right away. In fact, you should initiate the packing process once you’ve confirmed the move.
Mistake 3: Not Sorting Out Your Items
If you think pre-move sorting is a waste of time, then you’re in for it. You can be sure you don’t want to start sorting out your items after you’ve gotten to your new home. You save no time and just make the process more chaotic than it should be. It is always easier to sort things out before the move. It allows you to only carry the things you really need to move with., This saves you money since you don’t have to pay to move items you have no use for.
Mistake 4: Assuming You Don’t Need Quality Packing Supplies
Get this! You will need to invest in good quality packing material. Using cardboard boxes that are visibly worn out and can easily break under the weight of their contents will cause you unending headaches during the move. Buy packing materials and make sure they are dry, sturdy, clean, and are safe to use. You can purchase packing supplies from your local moving company.
Mistake 5: Packing Forbidden Items
People often pack hazardous items and later realize that they’re not allowed by the mover. For example, you shouldn’t pack your lawn mower with fuel in the tank. Packing non-allowable items often leads to a lot of wasted time. Ask your mover for a full list of forbidden items well in advance. Use the list as a guideline as you pack. In general, none allowable items include hazardous goods, perishables, pets, and plants.
Mistake 6: Failure to Label Boxes
If you want to waste time searching through piles of boxes after getting to your new home, then avoid labeling your boxes. You might think that you have a good memory and will remember where you kept everything, but this is rarely true. Use a marker pen to mark each packed container or box with details of its contents, destination and handling instructions. You can use a different color for each room to make tracking easier.
For more tips on how to pack for moving house, get in touch with the packing professionals at Matco.
