Packing is one of the longest, most arduous parts of the moving process. While the idea of tossing everything into boxes might seem straightforward, it’s actually very easy to make costly mistakes when packing. Over the years, our professional Gainesville movers have seen the myriad ways even small packing mistakes can lead to moving delays, broken belongings, and lots of unnecessary stress.
Here at UF Mover Guys, we provide all-inclusive moving services to homeowners and businesses throughout Gainesville and the surrounding area. As the #1-rated moving company in North Central Florida, we’re committed to making every aspect of your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. Below, we outline some of the most common packing mistakes so you can avoid them and enjoy a smooth moving experience.
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1. Packing At The Last Minute
In general, procrastination only leads to stress, especially when it comes to moving. One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is underestimating how much time and effort packing really takes. Do not wait until the last minute to start packing. When you’re short on time and feeling rushed, it’ll be much harder to pack carefully. This significantly increases the risk of damage during your move and will make unpacking later more confusing.
To avoid last-minute panic, our local movers recommend beginning the packing process several weeks before moving day. Start with items you don’t use every day, such as holiday decorations, items kept in storage, picture frames, out-of-season clothes, and books. Then, as your moving day approaches, you can start packing up essentials. Getting a headstart on the packing process and making a little progress each day will go a long way toward keeping your move on schedule and stress-free.
2. Using The Wrong Packing Supplies
Using the wrong packing supplies will only end in disaster. While it might seem like a smart way to save money, most budget packing supplies, such as old grocery boxes, plastic bags, and paper tape, are not designed to withstand the stresses of a move and greatly increase the risk of property damage.
Fortunately, this one’s fairly simple to avoid: only invest in high-quality packing supplies. Some packing materials we recommend picking up include:
- Heavy-duty boxes of various sizes
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper
- Specialized packing materials like wardrobe boxes
3. Overloading Moving Boxes
Many people are tempted to pack as much as possible into each box in an attempt to save space and limit how much they’ll have to move. Unfortunately, this tends to do more harm than good. In fact, overloading moving boxes is one of the fastest ways to create problems on moving day. Why? Well, overloading a box increases the risk of it breaking open and spilling its contents on the ground. What’s more, the heavier a box is, the more likely someone is to drop it.
Instead of overpacking boxes, try to keep them at a manageable weight and adhere to any weight restrictions if available. As a general rule of thumb, you should be able to lift each box comfortably. If you notice bowing at the bottom of any of your boxes, open it up and remove a few items to make it lighter.
4. Forgetting To Label Boxes
Occasionally, homeowners forget to label their boxes, only to arrive at their new place and face a mountain of mystery boxes. Don’t complicate the unpacking process by forgetting to label things. Without clear labels, neither you nor our movers will know where anything belongs. Instead, clearly label each box with:
- The room it belongs in (kitchen, bedroom, etc.)
- A brief description of the box’s contents
- “Fragile” if it contains breakable items
Additionally, color-coding by room can provide a quick visual cue, making the process even smoother. When boxes are clearly labeled, it’s much easier to ensure they go to their respective rooms.
5. Packing Fragile Items Incorrectly
Fragile items, such as dishes, glassware, and electronics, require special care and attention during the packing process. When packed incorrectly, these items are much more likely to be damaged during the move. A few common mistakes that our Florida movers see people make when packing breakable items include:
- Not using enough padding
- Not labeling boxes “Fragile”
- Leaving too much empty space in boxes
- Wrapping items together
- Incorrectly stacking items
Avoid damaging valuable belongings by wrapping each fragile item individually in bubble wrap. Also, be sure to fill any empty spaces in boxes with a soft material to prevent items from shifting during transport. Finally, always place heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top, not the other way around.
6. Trying To Do It All On Your Own
Lastly, don’t try to do it all on your own. Packing can be an exhausting, time-consuming process, and a little bit of help can go a long way toward alleviating some of that stress. Rather than attempting to wrap, pack, and label everything on your own, recruit any available friends and family for help! Just a few extra hands can make the process go much quicker. Additionally, as part of our residential moving services, we offer full-service home packing. Our licensed and insured movers use only the safest packing methods, and always go above and beyond to ensure everything arrives safely at your new place. Let us take care of the packing so you don’t have to!
Book With Our Full-Service Moving Company Today!
Planning an upcoming move? We can help! The team at UF Mover Guys can provide professional assistance from start to finish, including packing, moving bulky items, disassembling furniture, loading, and unloading. Let us help make your move smooth and stress-free! Contact us today to learn more about our services or to request a free moving quote. We look forward to hearing from you!