So you’ve made the difficult decision to pack up your life in favor of spreading your roots elsewhere. Unfortunately, there seems to be an endless stream of obstacles planted between you and your new dream home. You’re itching to leap these hurdles so you can nest, settle in, and explore your new city. There’s no way around the frustrating and time-consuming first step: packing.
The move to your new home will inevitably be a seamless transition if you avoid these five common packing and moving mistakes:
1. Waiting Until The Last Minute
It goes without saying that the more time you set aside for packing, the less likely you are to haphazardly leave a favorite keepsake behind. By giving yourself as much preparation time as possible before the big move, you can prioritize which room to pack up first and tackle a substantial amount each day. When the time comes to load up the trucks, you’ll be calm and collected.
2. Disorganization
Moving is a high stress situation and it’s quite normal to feel frazzled and overwhelmed. Minimize your stress levels by hyper-organizing! Set aside a designated space in your house to sort through your belongings and put all your packed boxes. Don’t skimp on the Sharpie when labeling boxes and be as specific as possible about the box’s contents. Better to have too much information than not enough! Lastly, keep an inventory to ensure all your belongings are accounted for.
3. Boxing On a Budget
Invest in professional packing boxes and packing material. Second hand boxes are rarely durable enough to withstand a second use, especially if you have heavy or delicate belongings. While it’s a good idea to wrap picture frames and small electronics in t-shirts or towels, valuable items and expensive dishware should always be insulated with bubble wrap and proper packing paper. Don’t forget to reinforce every box with packing tape. It’s worth the extra step, we promise.
4. Taking Everything With You
All of your furnishings and possessions won’t always fit in your new place – space-wise or style-wise. Think long and hard about what you use on a daily basis, and don’t be afraid to shed the rest! Donate old clothes to a second-hand store or pass on belongings to friends and family. If you really can’t stand to part ways with that old chair or pile of winter coats, don’t rule out getting a storage unit. There are many local, accessible and affordable options for storage.
5. Overestimating Your Strength
Moving will take a physical toll on your body. Avoid overstuffing boxes and make sure to transport delicate and oddly-shaped items individually. For heavier items (like books), make use of any rolling luggage you may have. Disassemble furniture as needed and don’t overexert yourself by trying to move heavy furniture alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
The professionals at Apache Moving & Storage are eager to help you with your move every step of the way and help avoid these moving packing mistakes. From packing up, disassembling, moving, unpacking, and reassembling – they do it all. For any Austin residential or commercial moving purposes contact Apache Moving & Storage via their online form or call them at 512-452-4799.