By: Cindy Aldridge
Whether you haven’t moved in many years or you’re basically a nomad, you can’t predict what your moving day is going to be like. While some things you can’t control -- weather, traffic, your cat puking on the carpet -- there are a few common moving day disasters you can avoid. The secret is plenty of planning. While it may be easier to move with nothing but a wing and a prayer, you will be glad you put in the extra effort when you arrive at your new place with less stress and more of your belongings intact.
Disaster: Not Enough Moving Supplies
Okay, this has definitely happened to everyone at some point. You are packing up your house and all of a sudden you are out of boxes, but there is still a room’s worth of stuff in your sight. The best way to avoid this common disaster is by over-buying the supplies you think you will need, then leaving some time in your moving day schedule to return whatever you don’t actually use. If you aren’t one to buy your own boxes (and we don’t blame you), start collecting weeks before and over-collect and get more than you need. Anything you don’t use you can either recycle or give them away on Craigslist for some other lucky person to use.
Along with enough boxes, don’t forget to stock up on other packing supplies you may need. Make room in your place for “Packing Central.” Packing Central is your organization station. Everything you need to pack should be here. This is where you coordinate and compile all of your packing supplies: packing tape, packing paper, foam peanuts, labels, permanent wide markers, boxes, scissors, razor cutter, plastic gloves, etc. Having Packing Central ready for fulfillment at all times makes everything run more smoothly.
Disaster: Accident and Injury from Handling Heavy Objects
Spraining a muscle or throwing out your back on moving day definitely puts a damper on the whole experience. If you plan on lifting any heavy objects on moving day, don’t go at it alone. There are tools available that can lighten the load and protect your fragile body.
● Furniture dolly
● Ramps
● Furniture slides
● Gloves
Buying or renting these items will make your moving day much easier. Of course, they won’t be much help if you are not properly lifting heavy objects. Remember: use your legs to lift, not you back. Don’t overload yourself. It’s better to go slowly than to jeopardize your whole move with an injury. It may seem obvious, but make sure your place is free from tripping hazards when you are about to move something heavy. Put pets in a room or crate so they can’t get underfoot, and have all low-profile items pushed to the perimeter and out of your way.
Disaster: Your Moving Company Is Sub-par
If you are fortunate enough to have the resources to hire a moving company, make sure you are getting a great one. Talk to friends and neighbors about their experiences. People you know are typically more reliable than online reviews, which are often biased. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to look at online reviews as a way to avoid scams. Look for moving companies that have a comprehensive insurance plan that protects you if their employees damage or break items or fail to show up on time. Furthermore, when checking out companies, ask if they have a “non-allowables” list of items. If they do and something you own is on that list, you can either find alternative means of transporting said item or find another moving company.
Your moving day doesn’t have to be hard. With the right planning, you can avoid many common moving-day disasters. When stocking up on moving supplies, overcompensate, and allow time in your schedule to either return what you don’t use or recycle it to someone else who could use it. Avoid injury by using tools that allow you to lift and move heavy objects safely. Finally, for those who can afford a moving company, do diligent research and ask plenty of questions to ensure they are up to par with your needs.