Biggest Packing Mistakes When Moving

Generally, people are most prone to mistakes when under stress – it is very difficult to keep a cool head and act with diligence when pressed for time, money, or consequential decisions. The only way to avoid mistakes in a stressful situation is to be well prepared and have a foolproof plan of action, so that you know what to do, no matter what happens.

This is especially true in the event of moving house – one of the most difficult, complicated, and stressful endeavors in life. Many different mistakes can occur at every stage of the relocation process and cause a whole lot of troubles and extra costs. The most common ones, however, seem to be packing mistakes (not much of a surprise, considering all the time and effort that packing up an entire house requires). Peculiarly enough, they’re among the easiest to avoid as well – as long as you don’t assume that you can simply throw your items into boxes the day before the move.

Here are some of the biggest packing mistakes people make when moving and a few hints on how to avoid them when preparing your own belongings for shipment.

Packing Mistake # 1 – Packing in the Last Moment

It is generally recommended to start packing as soon as your move is confirmed – preferably two months before moving day – so that you can take your time going through your belongings, reminiscing about the memories they bring, deciding their fates, getting rid of unwanted items, and providing proper protection to the ones you’re going to take with you.

However, there may be a good reason why you can’t start packing early enough – you may need to move out on a short notice, you may be too busy completing other important tasks before the move, etc. – or you may simply underestimate the time it will take you to sort out and pack your belongings for moving.

Either way, packing in the last minute is likely to result in a number of big mistakes that may have repercussions on your entire relocation endeavor:

• You won’t have the time to assess the value of every individual item and make an informed decision about its fate (Ensuing mistake – You’re going to pay for the relocation of items that you don’t need, don’t like, or can’t use in your new surroundings.);
• You won’t have the time to organize a garage sale or sell online those of your no longer needed items that can be sold at profit (Ensuing mistake – You won’t get the money you could have pocketed from the sale of your unwanted belongings.);
• You won’t have the time to organize your belongings in a systematic and logical manner (Ensuing mistake – Your items will be packed on a random basis and it will take a lot of time and effort to unpack them after the move.);
• You won’t have the time to pack your belongings with care (Ensuing mistake – You won’t be able to provide good enough protection to your items and some of them may get broken or damaged during transit.)

The bottom line: Packing in the last moment is one of the costliest packing mistakes you can make – you will lose the money from the eventual sale of your unneeded possessions, will pay higher moving costs (the weight of your shipment will be greater as you’ll be moving ALL your possessions), and may need to replace your items if they get damaged during the relocation (since they’re hastily packed and don’t have adequate protection).

The solution: Don’t assume that you’ll be able to pack your entire household in a couple of days before the move. Start as early as possible:

• Begin from the rooms and items that you use the least;
• Do not underestimate the time and effort that will be necessary to pack the storage areas of your home;
• Pack a couple of boxes every single day;
• Pre-pack the items that you won’t need until Moving day (like next season’s clothing, for example);
• Hire professional movers to the job for you if you can’t spare the time necessary to pack your belongings properly.

Packing Mistake # 2 – Packing without a Plan

No matter how early you start packing, boxing up your items without a packing plan is quite likely to result in a lot of wasted time and wrecked nerves. How so? It’s simple enough – when prepacking, you may pack something you’re going to need before Moving day. In this case, you’ll have to open already sealed moving boxes in search of the item you need.

To avoid this common packing mistake, you need to have a clear packing strategy and adhere strictly to it. Your best bet is to create a detailed packing calendar, customized to your specific packing needs. Make sure you know what to pack when for moving, prioritize the packing jobs, and set up reasonable deadlines for their completion:

• Pack rarely used items and items you can easily do without for a month or so first – specialized items, out-of-season items, collectibles, spare linens, etc.;
• Pack artwork, books, hobby materials and other similar items 3-4 weeks before the move;
• Pack office supplies, games, jewelry, and other things you don’t need on a daily basis two weeks ahead of moving day;
• Pack electronics, kitchen items, clothes, shoes, and toiletries in the week prior to your move;
• Pack furniture and appliances, as well as any miscellaneous items you kept out until the last moment, a day or two before the Big day.

This way, you’ll have an easy access to anything you might need before the move and all your items will be ready for shipment by Moving day.

Packing Mistake # 3 – Packing It All

As already mentioned above, packing all your earthly possessions without sorting them out first is among the worst packing mistakes you can make. You will waste a lot of time, effort, and money (not only will the moving costs be higher, but you’ll need more packing materials as well!) packing and relocating items you don’t actually need.

So, before you put an item in the moving box, make sure you really want to take it along – weigh its value (practical, sentimental, or monetary) and consider the cost of moving it to your new home.

To be sure that every item you pack for moving is worth the money and the effort required for its relocation, you’re advised to:

1) Declutter your home and get rid of:

• damaged items;
• duplicate items;
• items that are too outdated or too worn out to be used ever again;
• items you haven’t used in over a year;
• items you won’t be able to use in your new surroundings;
• items you don’t like;
• items that will cost more to move than to replace after the relocation.

2) Make a floor plan of your new home and don’t bother to move items that don’t fit (don’t fit through the doors, don’t fit in the available space, or don’t match the interior décor).

3) Get a list of the items your chosen moving company won’t move for you due to their hazardous or perishable nature and don’t waste your time packing non-allowable goods – use them up or give them away before the move.

Packing Mistake # 4 – Not Making a Moving Inventory

Not making a moving inventory is one of the most common mistakes when packing up a house – many people choose not to compile an inventory list as they’re not sure it will be worth the time and effort necessary to create it.

If you don’t have a detailed moving inventory, though, you may find it difficult to:

• organize your belongings in a practical and systematic manner;
• determine the type and amount of packing supplies you’re going to need;
• estimate the cost of your move (When you can see all the items you intend to relocate to your new home listed on your moving inventory sheet, you’ll be able to estimate their weight and get an accurate idea of the final moving cost. Besides, you’ll be able to provide your chosen movers with all the information they need to prepare properly for your move and come up with an accurate price estimate.);
• keep track of your possession;
• provide evidence of the pre-move condition of your items in case any of them get stolen or damaged while in the movers’ custody.

Therefore, a moving inventory sheet is absolutely indispensable – it is one of the most efficient moving planner-tools that will help you stay organized and on top of things throughout the entire relocation process.

Packing Mistake # 5 – Not Packing an Essentials Box

Failing to prepare a survival box is another major mistake that you need to avoid when packing for a move.

Once your household items and personal possessions are loaded on the moving truck, you won’t have access to them until after the shipment is successfully delivered to your new home. Therefore, you need to have some life-savers packed in a separate box that is going to travel with you – the so called “open-first box”. It should contain all the essentials you’re going to need in order to survive for several days without the rest of your possessions – bottled water, healthy snacks, basic toiletries, prescription medications, a first aid kit, a change of clothes for every family member, some basic kitchen utensils, a set of hand tools, kid items and pet items, your phone and your tablet together with their chargers, etc.

Make sure your box of essentials doesn’t accidentally get loaded on the moving truck – it has to stay with you.

Bonus tip: Keep your documents and valuables (jewelry, family heirlooms, collector items, etc.) with you as well – do not pack them with the rest of your possessions and do not entrust them to the movers. You may need some of your documents along the way or before your items have been delivered, an accident may happen during the move and you may lose some irreplaceable items, etc. – ensure your peace of mind by taking care of your most important and most valuable possessions yourself.

Packing Mistake # 6 – Using Inadequate Packing Materials

It is the sturdy cardboard boxes and quality wrapping and cushioning materials that keep your items safe and sound during a relocation – if you forgo quality packing materials in favor of cheap, second-hand packing supplies or makeshift substitutes, you’re going to compromise the safety of your belongings.

You can find used cardboard boxes for free, you can use common household items (sheets, blankets, towels, old clothes, etc.) instead of professional wrapping materials, you can even pack your items in suitcases, bags, and baskets, but you need to remember that neither of them will provide your belongings with the same level of protection as quality packing materials would.

Therefore, you’re strongly advised to:

• avoid packing your items in old boxes that have been compromised from multiple uses and are not strong enough to withstand stacking – they can easily crush, damaging your belongings;
• avoid packing in plastic bags as they can easily tear and leave your items unprotected;
• avoid wrapping your items in newsprint as it can leave ink stains on more delicate surfaces;
• get professional-grade packing supplies (bubble wrap, foam sheets, anti-static packing peanuts, etc.) for fragile and/or sensitive items (chinaware, glassware, electronics, etc.);
• get specialty packing supplies for high-value items and specialty items (artwork, antiques, pianos, etc.);
• use quality packing tape so that you can seal the moving boxes well and secure the wrappings safely in place.

Bonus tip: Make sure you have more packing supplies than you deem necessary – you may damage some of the materials in the packing process, decide to pack some more items in the last minute, or need to repack for safety considerations.

If you run short of packing supplies at some point during the packing process, you’ll waste time (running to the store for more) and money (buying what you need at higher costs as you won’t have the time to compare prices, look for promotions, get discounts, etc.), so be sure not to make the rookie mistake of not obtaining enough packing supplies ahead of time.

Packing Mistake # 7 – Packing the Boxes Wrong

It goes without saying that improper packing will put your belongings at great risk – if you don’t pack your boxes the right way, you may find your items shattered to pieces when they’re delivered to your new home.

Here are some common mistakes when packing boxes and how to avoid them:

• Making the boxes too heavy – Overfilling a box or putting several weighty items in a single large box will make the container extremely heavy and very difficult to lift and carry, as well as very likely to burst open. To avoid this packing error, make sure you always pack heavy items in small boxes and keep the weight of a packed container in reasonable limits (about 40-45 pounds);
• Not filling the boxes to the brim – Half-empty boxes may cave in or dent during loading or unloading or when stacked over one another in the moving truck, so it’s advisable to have your cartons completely full;
• Leaving empty spaces inside the boxes – If there are empty spaces in the boxes, the items inside may shift during transit and bump into one other, causing damage to each other. Provide plenty of cushioning inside the boxes (crumpled paper, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, old clothes, etc.) to prevent this from happening. It is also a good idea to line the bottoms of the boxes with crumpled paper or bubble wrap in order to create a protective cushion for your items;
• Not reinforcing the boxes – Unless you reinforce the bottom and the corners of a cardboard box (especially an old one) with packing tape, the carton may break under its own weight;
• Placing heavier items on top of lighter ones – Such a rookie packing mistake will inevitably result in damage to the items on the bottom;
• Not sealing the boxes tightly enough – You need to make sure that your items won’t accidentally spill out if the carton gets turned sideways or upside down during the transportation – use quality packing tape to the box shut and run several circles around the entire container to be on the safe side.

Bonus tip: Be extra careful when packing fragile items – wrap them individually in packing paper and bubble wrap, cushion them well inside the moving containers, use specialized moving boxes (dish boxes, picture boxes, etc.) for maximum safety, etc.

Packing Mistake # 8 – Not Labeling The Boxes

It will take very little of your time to label a packed box but it will take hours to find what you need when you start unpacking if haven’t labeled the moving containers. Besides, the movers won’t know which of the cartons need to be handled with extra care and where to take the boxes when unloading them at your new home. This simple packing error will cause a great amount of confusion and will significantly delay the final stage of your move (not to mention the added risk to your possessions).

You can easily prevent all this hassle and wasted time – all you need to do is clearly write the contents and destination room of each box on top of it (it is a good idea to use different colors for different rooms to facilitate your movers when unloading your household goods and yourself when unpacking and arranging your items). Also, do not forget to write any special instructions (“Keep dry”, ”Handle with care”, etc.) you may have on at least three sides of the box with the help of a permanent marker.

Packing Mistake # 9 – Not Taking Proper Care of Large Household Items

It is not only your smaller items that need to be properly packed for moving – your furniture, appliances, and other large household items you intend to take to your new home also need to be well prepared and well protected in order to survive the relocation in one piece. Forgetting about them is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid when packing for a move.

• Prepare your furniture for moving – Empty your large furniture pieces of their contents and disassemble them as much as possible. Pack every individual piece with utmost care (especially glass elements) and keep the hardware parts with the furniture they belong to – place them in sealable bags and tape them to the furniture. Wrap the furniture in moving blankets and plastic wrap and make sure it is well secured in the moving truck;
• Prepare your household appliances for moving – Empty and clean your kitchen appliances a couple of days before the move. Secure their doors with tape or plastic wrap to prevent them from opening during transportation and secure any power cords, hoses, etc. at the back of the appliances. Wrap the entire items in protective coverings;
• Pack your electronics for moving – Organize and label the cables of your electronic devices and protect the screens with pieces of cardboard secured in place with plastic tape. Wrap the entire devices in moving blankets and use plenty of bubble wrap to ensure maximum protection.

You can find more detailed information on how to pack different large household items here: How to move a piano safely; How to move a heavy safe; How to move a pool table by yourself; How to move a hot tub by yourself

Packing Mistake # 10 – Not Getting Packing Help

Packing for a move is a truly Herculean task and assuming that you can cope on your own is a big mistake that may cost you a lot of nerves and money (if you’re not ready when the movers arrive at your home, you’ll have to either pay for the time they will waste waiting for you to finish packing or pay them to help you pack your remaining items).

Unless you have plenty of time and very few items to relocate, the packing task ahead of you will be simply impossible to complete by one person. Even if you engage all family members in the packing process, you may not be able to finish on time (depending on the size of your move and the number of days left until Moving day).

You’ll have a better chance of success if you ask your friends for help – packing will be much faster, much more efficient, and much more enjoyable when your pals are there to give you a hand. (Keep in mind though that they’re not professionals and may not know how to ensure the safety your items.)

If you’re really pressed for time or just want to provide your belongings with the best possible protection, your best bet is to hire professional packers – they’ll do the job for you in the safest and fastest way possible.

Good to remember: The movers won’t accept liability for damage to the items you have packed yourself. Therefore, you are strongly advised to have the moving company pack your more expensive and more delicate items – just to ensure your peace of mind.

A simple packing error can cost you dearly or even ruin your entire moving experience (just imagine arriving at your new home to find your antique china set shattered to pieces, for example). So, make sure you stay away from the common packing mistakes listed above and your relocation will be much safer, simpler, and more successful!

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