Packing is one of the least exciting aspects of moving into a new home. The process can be arduous and sometimes emotional. That’s why many homeowners are choosing to purchase packing and unpacking services. Think of the hours and frustration you can avoid by having a professional take care of all the details for you.
While Mastodon Movers does offer both packing and unpacking services, we still have clients who are determined to try the process on their own. We totally get it; you want to have the chance to go through your“stuff, organize it and, possibly, weed out items that are no longer needed. We are often asked if we have any advice about how to go about doing this. Here are some of our suggestions of mistakes to avoid when packing up your home for the big move.
Packing Mistake #1 Doing it Alone
Even if your plan for packing does not include our services, we suggest not doing it on your own, if at all possible. Get family members, friends, and anyone who can lend a helping hand. You will be amazed at how having an extra set of hands to sort or run items to the recycle bin will help. Plus, it’s way more fun when you find something you want to reminisce about!
Packing Mistake #2 Not Having a Plan
While it may seem like a good idea to dive right in and start packing those boxes, having a plan is recommended. Decide how you are going to go through items. Do you have a plan for each room? Do you know where to recycle or bring items for donation? Are you ready to color code boxes and label where they should be offloaded in your new home? What items are fragile or are there high-value items that you want to be boxed or put in crates separately? These are all good ideas to consider before you start packing.
Packing Mistake #3 Not Giving Yourself Ample Time
This mistake goes hand-in-hand with not having a plan. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get through each room. Take into account things that could slow you down like your kids’ activities, weather, and stopping to look at older items. Be realistic when figuring out your timeline and assume that everything will take a bit longer to get done than you assume.
Packing Mistake #4 Skipping the Sorting
It is tempting to just throw your items in a box and deal with it as you unpack in your new home. Not only does this waste space, but it also can take up your time once you get in your new location. Take the time now to set up an efficient system where you decide if something is worth keeping, donating, recycling, or trashing. It will save you both space in your moving van as well as time when you arrive at your new home.
Packing Mistake #5 Overfilling
If you are packing your own boxes, try to keep each box to under 50 pounds. Not only do you risk damage to your items if the box breaks, but it is unsafe for anyone to be lifting boxes that are too heavy. Avoid this mistake by using smaller boxes for heavy items and larger boxes for lighter things.
Are you packing yourself? Or do you need help getting started? Contact Mastodon Moving at 774-421-9004 today for senior moving, move management, long distance moving, and storage services.