Moving out to a new place is not rocket science, yet it’s still quite stressful.
Whether you’re moving to a different country or just down the street, you still need to prepare yourself for the chaos that will ensue. To put it mildly, you need to pack, transport, and unpack your belongings.
So naturally, the entire process is clogged with common mistakes that are easily avoidable, yet almost anyone who moves out makes them. To ensure you will dodge the same fate, we collected the top 5 most common mistakes people make when moving out.
Overspending On Packing
One of the most common mistakes people make when moving is overspending on packing materials.
While protecting your belongings during transit is essential, you don’t need to break the bank to do it. Instead of buying new packing materials, consider using items you already have in your home, such as towels, blankets, and clothing, to wrap up fragile items.
You can also ask your friends and family for any boxes or packing materials they no longer need. This will not only make the entire process a lot more inexpensive but will also be much more eco-friendly.
Moreover, try using old utensils and appliance boxes if you keep them in your storage unit. For example, your microwave box would be perfect for transporting plates or glasses. Ask your friends and family to share their appliance or utensils boxes as well.
This way, you will save money, and you can give them back after you are done—no need to buy new packages that you will ultimately throw away.
Not Measuring And Packing Properly
You’d be surprised how often this otherwise dull mistake is made. People tend to excitedly buy packaging and boxes in bulk before measuring their belongings. Thus many larger objects like furniture and appliances don’t get the proper-sized box.
Getting a too-small box may cause it to rip during the move, causing damage to your furniture or appliances. On the other hand, getting way bigger boxes won’t hold the item inside secured, risking damages once again.
Naturally, you need to make sure you have the right-sized boxes and all the required materials to transport your property. Moreover, label the boxes and mark the fragile items as such. This way, you or your transportation company can be extra careful when picking them up.
Moreover, they should have a secure place in the transport vehicle; otherwise, you might break them all during transport. Imagine if you place your oven on top of your glasses. It won’t end well.
Not Using The Box Space To Their Full Potential
Choosing the correct box for the right items is instrumental in moving out your belongings without much risk of damage. All boxes have a load limit. Go past it, the box might rip, and all your belongings will end up on the floor. So, just don’t overload the box, right?
Not exactly. Although not overloading the box is essential, you should still aim to use the space optimally. This means you shouldn’t leave too much empty space inside.
If you are loading heavier stuff, make sure to fill the rest of the box with paper, shreds, or something light, that will compress your belongings, and they won’t have much space to move.
Naturally, if you carry a heavy pan, some paper won’t stop it from moving around. What it will do, though, is isolate it from bumping into other boxes at full force. That’s enough to keep your packages safe.
Naturally, if you want an object to be stuck in your box, just fill it with bubble wrap. After you are done, you can even give it to the kids to enjoy the all-so-relaxing popping sounds.
Packing Flammable, Explosive, Or Corrosive Items
That’s a definite no. If you are so keen to lose all your belongings, you might just burn them in a safe manner. There is no need to risk anyone’s life.
If you are using a company or a man with a van to help you with the move, many have strict rules against flammable, explosive, and corrosive items.
Those pose a serious tread and should be transported separately in specialized containers. You would be amazed at how many people disregard this threat; luckily, only a few pay the high price of negligence.
So if you have propane tanks, fireworks, gasoline, bleach, or other easily flammable cleaning products, either dispose of them properly and safely or simply arrange to move them with a specialized transport. Yes, it costs a bit extra, but it’s far less than human life and all your belongings.
If you want to transport them yourself, you must first check your local laws for transporting hazardous materials. Then you should rent or buy proper containers and label them accurately.
Some hazardous materials can be transported with your own vehicle, but others need special transportation. Needless to say, transporting a bottle of bleach is far easier than transporting nitroglycerin.
However, the best way to deal with such products is to get a reputable transportation company, which will arrange the whole ordeal for you.
Not Researching Your Moving Company
Naturally, whether you hire a moving company or a man and van service, you must thoroughly research the people to whom you will entrust your belongings. For starters, this way, you will avoid any potential scams.
Unfortunately, moving scams can result in lost or damaged belongings, additional hidden costs, or even theft. Researching a moving company beforehand can help you avoid these types of scams and ensure that you hire a reputable company.
Moreover, a reputable company will help you safely and securely transport your belongings to your new place. They usually follow standards, so no driving like maniacs, no sharp turns, and no surprise stop.
All you need to do is make sure the company is licensed, and it has a lot of positive reviews. Remember that some mild or bad reviews are a good sign, as no business can accommodate every customer.
Most importantly, though, ask for a written estimate from the moving company and ensure all costs are included. Be wary of any company that asks for a large deposit upfront or offers a significantly lower price than other companies.
Make Your Move Less Chaotic
Moving out can be a chaotic and stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. By avoiding these mistakes, you can make the move less expensive, more efficient, and less risky.
Ultimately, research is the key to a successful move, whether using a moving company or doing it yourself.
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