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How to Avoid the Biggest Packing Mistakes

When you’re getting ready for a big move, there are a few common pitfalls that can wreak havoc on your timeline and, potentially your sanity! With about one third of Canadians relocating every five years, knowing how to avoid the biggest packing mistakes can save you from unnecessary stress. To learn what mistakes you may be making and how to avoid them, read these five tips from a Winnipeg moving company to make the packing process as easy as possible.

Avoid the Biggest Packing Mistakes by Knowing What They Are and What to Do About Them

1. Not Having a Plan

Those that fail to plan…plan to fail! Planning what rooms you will pack and when, who will take care of meals during the move, and which rooms will be unpacked first are all things that need to be thought of ahead of time. One of the big reasons for our successful warehousing Winnipeg operation is planning!

How to Avoid: As soon as you’ve confirmed you are moving, begin making a plan. Determine how much time you have and how much time you’ll need, and plan accordingly.

2. Leaving Things to the Last Minute

This goes hand-in-hand with the first mistake. If you don’t have a plan, you will probably fall into this trap as well. Leaving large tasks like disassembling furniture or packing dishes to the day before the move will only cause undue stress.

How to Avoid: About a week before the big day, sit down and think of everything you have left to do and make a plan to conquer those tasks at least a couple of days before you move.

3. Not Sorting Items Pre-Move

This is where the dreaded junk drawer comes in. It may seem easier to just throw all of it into one box and then sort it at the new house, but you want to be able to relax in your new home and taking all that literal junk along will not help. One of the greatest things about moving is that you can enjoy a freshly cleaned, newly organized and peaceful home. If you don’t sort things beforehand you will definitely lose out on this!

How to Avoid: Designate a day where you’ll go through the most difficult parts of the house, or schedule a difficult area each day to spread the tasks out. Difficult areas may include over-stuffed drawers, closets, garages and storage spaces.

4. Underfilling Boxes

Not filling your boxes all the way to the top can actually put them at risk for items breaking open during the move. Boxes are very likely to be stacked on boxes, and empty space in the top of the box means it is not as stable and can more easily be crushed by a box set on top of it.

How to Avoid: Try packing your boxes 105% full, and reinforce the bottom of your boxes by applying more than one layer of tape. Or, you can place a flat piece of cardboard at the bottom to reduce pressure by keeping items from pressing on the bottom of the box.

5. Unhelpful Labeling of Boxes

Not labeling your boxes in a way that is helpful will cost you time, energy, and will certainly add to the overall stress of the day.

How to Avoid: Purchase a package of Sharpie markers pre-move. This way, you will have extras when some of them inevitably go missing. Labeling the top and 2 sides means the label will be easier to spot than a single label. Each box should also have your surname written on it just in case it gets misplaced somehow. For safety and security it is a good idea not to label contents of boxes as these labels can increase the possibility of theft. You can also swap boxes for clear plastic bins if you want to make it really easy. You can label these with masking tape and a marker, or just look inside the container. Now that you know the most common packing mistakes and how to avoid them, it’s time to get moving!