PACKING MISTAKES TO AVOID AND WAYS TO CORRECT THEM

Many of us hate packing and start dreading it the moment we even think about moving. Here are some common problems, along with a list of possible solutions. 

PROBLEMS

Boxes and Packing:

• Boxes are packed too heavy. Boxes are not sturdy, not sealed correctly, and are not labeled.
• Items are packed incorrectly, especially valuables.
• Boxes with valuables in them are advertised as such.
• Belongings are thrown in boxes without organizing the contents neatly, or just packing items into boxes with no rhyme or reason, so there is no commonality for the items in the boxes. Movers are not responsible for items that weren’t packed properly.
• Hardware for window treatments or furniture that needs to be reassembled does not get placed in a separate, labeled bag.
• An “Open First” box is not created.
• Sellers don’t find out what your movers will or will not move ahead of time. For example, will they move lamps? Large mirrors? Antiques? 

 

Find out ahead of time what movers will and will not move. Of course, you should never pack your pets! This little guy just wants to help! :-)

Copyright 2012 by Sam Lavy

Preparation:

• There are not enough boxes. Sure, movers will gladly offer you extra boxes -- at quite a mark-up in price.
• No pictures were taken, at least of major furniture pieces, in case they are damaged during the move.
• Sellers are not ready and packed when movers arrive. Remember, they work by the hour.
• The amount being moved is underestimated.
• Budgets are not realistic, which affects how much it will cost for supplies and movers.
• There is no plan for moving the boxes -- will you hire someone or will you use family and friends? Why does this matter? Some companies have packing tips or tricks or requirements and you need to know this ahead of time.
• There is also no plan for where boxes will go while your home is on the market. Storage units, Pods, or the homes of family and friends are possible options.
• Boxes are stored in each room while you are still trying to sell your home. This shows you already have a place to go and this may encourage lower offers.

Movers and Contracts:

• Contracts are not read to find out warranty and insurance information, as well as the amount of any extra charges, what’s included, etc.
• Movers are allowed to do the packing. It costs much more money than doing it yourself.
• Movers are not researched for reliability, quality of service, insurance, and other requirements (which vary by state).

Moving:

• Sellers try to move on their own without a moving company, but also without the help of family and friends. 
• There is no system for where boxes will go, so that movers have to ask where each and every box goes at the new home. This is time-consuming.
• Sellers wait until the last minute to pack or hire a moving van or company.
• Things are packed that sellers know they are going to eventually throw out.
• There is no system for keeping track of all your items, especially important documents, valuables, and paperwork.

 

Make sure all boxes are sturdy, sealed securely, and properly labeled. 

Copyright 2010 by Meathead Movers

SOLUTIONS

• Put all hardware in individual, labeled bags and place in one box or attach it to the back of the pieces. I prefer the former. Examples include headboards or media cabinets and bookshelves. 
• Use small boxes for heavy items so they are a manageable weight -- preferably under 50 pounds. Always pack the heaviest items on the bottom of the box.
• Have one person direct the movers. And have a system for where each box goes so movers don’t need to ask about each box.
• Tape papers on the walls with large numbers or colors that correspond to the boxes, so movers can match box numbers or colors to room numbers or colors.
• Double or triple count the number of boxes you have for each room and the number of boxes overall so you can be assured you have all boxes at the new place when you do move. Of course, you’ll need to wait until you complete packing to do a final count. But keep track after you’re done staging too.
• If you must keep boxes in the house, pick one space, such as the basement or garage, and put all the boxes in one corner of that space.
• Decide on a packing and moving system while you are staging and de-cluttering. Don't wait until last minute to develop a plan.
• While staging and de-cluttering, start making a list of the items that will go in the “Open First” Box.
• Make sure to clean dusty or dirty items before packing them. This will save you lots of work when unpacking.

These are just a few of the many problems that can arise when packing and moving. I'd need a few more pages to hit on every possibility. But for some helpful tips and information, check out How De-cluttering Can Help You Pack.