Moving home or office is such a mammoth task, so much can go wrong if you do it yourself. Chess Moving has been relocating people for more than 100 years, so we point out the pitfalls and moving mistakes to avoid.
There's so much to consider when you're moving to a new home or office. Whether you're relocating within Australia or moving internationally, you need to be strategic and super organised!
It's best to hire a professional moving company, if you can, so you can focus on the big picture, rather than stressing about logistics.
For those who choose to tackle this task independently, try to avoid making the following moving mistakes:
Failing to label correctly
Organisation is essential for a successful move. If you're packing haphazardly, getting settled again can be a nightmare. Many people make the mistake of burying the essentials they need on moving day in boxes that are hard to access.
These include:
- Bottled water
- Keys
- Phone chargers
- Spare batteries
- Change of clothing
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Toilet paper
- Any medications you need
- Basic food staples
- Enough plates, utensils and cups for the day
- Basic cleaning supplies
Do yourself a favour and pack these items in a box that's easy to reach, so you're not running around like a chook without its head on moving day.
For all other items, label your boxes with both the contents and the rooms the items will go in. Consider colour-coding your markers, labels, or tape to make organisation easier as boxes come into your new home.
Underestimating your supplies
Families often fail to realise how many boxes, tape rolls, markers, and rolls of bubble wrap are needed to move an entire home. It's easy to underestimate how many boxes you need and find yourself short-changed on moving day.
Professional removalists can draft an accurate estimate with a brief look around your home, but individuals don't move often enough to master this skill. If you're collecting free boxes for the move, It’s always best to overestimate the number you need, to make sure you have enough.
Better yet, leave it to a professional removalist to handle it all!
Using the wrong packing materials
Not all packing materials are created equal! The last thing you want is to uncover damaged items, because you used the wrong cushioning.
If you're doing it yourself, don't use crumpled paper to fill empty spaces in a box, since paper compresses, leaving space for items to shift.
Instead, opt for bubble wrap, air bags or foam peanuts.
Wrap delicate items with plain packing paper, kraft paper, or butcher paper. Don't use newsprint, which can leave ink stains. Consider the weight of your cardboard boxes, and use stronger ones for heavier items so that your boxes never burst.
If you don't want to risk damaging the goods, your best bet is to ask a professional removalist to handle the packing. At Chess Moving, we use only the most durable packing materials to protect your belongings!
Improper lifting techniques
There's nothing easy about moving heavy boxes and furniture - a highly physical task. People often injure their backs, joints and muscles, because they don't know what they're doing.
Moving involves repetitive movements such as bending, lifting, and twisting. Make sure you're using proper lifting techniques to protect your body from unnecessary strain. Stand as close as you can to the item, before lifting. Tighten your core muscles, but don't strain. Raise the item to your knee first, then lift with your legs to get into a standing position.
Never strain your body attempting to lift items that are too heavy for you. Consider hiring a professional removalist for an efficient move that won't leave you feeling sore the next day. We use specialised tools such as dollies and moving straps to lower the pressure and reduce the risk of injury.
Moving items that belong in storage
It's tempting to take all of your belongings with you, when moving into a new home or office. But this is a mistake - leading to unnecessary clutter that turns unpacking into a nightmare.
It's in your best interest to be ruthless about this! Only take the items that you love and need, to avoid littering your new space with objects you haven't looked at in years.
Consider the logistics of your move before you begin packing. If you'll be staying in a temporary home, it's best to store certain items for the short-term.
Long-term storage is a good option if you're downsizing to a smaller home. Over time, you can revisit the items you've placed in storage and determine whether you want to hold onto them or find another storage solution. You can do this at your own pace too, without feeling rushed to make a decision!
Overlooking the paperwork
Moving house or office involves so much more than manual labour. So many people forget to change their address for mail and utilities, because they're distracted by the relocation process. This happens all the time! You don't want to spend your first week at your new home in darkness, because you forgot to contact the power retailer.
Make sure you leave enough time to:
- Disconnect utilities at your old home.
- Switch on the power at your new home.
- Inform your bank, credit card companies, and magazine providers of your new address.
- File a change of address notification.
- Update the address on your driver's licence.
- Update your address with your doctor and other service providers.
Leaving behind a mess
It's tempting to neglect to give your home a once-over with the vacuum and mop before moving out. There's enough to organise, as it is!
But spare a thought for the new tenants or owners, who don't want to move into a dirty home or office.
In addition to this, you could lose your deposit, if you leave your rental property in poor condition. Many landlords ask for a bond to be paid when you first move in and they can withhold this, if you don't clean your home.
Follow our basic cleaning guide, if you want to do it yourself. Otherwise, consider asking your professional removalist to handle all the cleaning for you.
Chess Moving offers all the removalist services you need
Moving to a new location is daunting, but you don't have to do all the work yourself. Chess Moving can handle all of your relocation needs, or as little as you like! We’ve been voted as one of the most popular national removalist groups, so rest assured we don't make mistakes.
Our door-to-door services include:
- Packing and unpacking
- Long and short-term storage
- Cleaning services
- Vehicle relocation
- Planning and preparation
- Pet relocation and more!
We handle local moves as well as interstate and international relocations. If you're heading to a new state or country, we can assist with international customs management, landing charges, sea or air freight management.
Contact our professionals to find out what we can do for you!