Most common packing mistakes

Relocation has its pitfalls, especially when it comes to people who are facing it for the first time. The proper packing of belongings to be moved would ensure that you are more relaxed and unforeseen incidents are avoided. In this article, we will list the most common packing mistakes and give you helpful tips on how to deal with them.

Most common packing mistakes when relocating

Your first move can often catch you unprepared. The process is chaotic, and without the right guidance it's difficult to know where to start. Let's start unraveling this mystery! Here's a look at the main packing mistakes:

Lack of a clear plan

The lack of clear steps and a schedule to follow leads to chaos. Chaos, both in your head and in your home. We advise that before the actual moving process begins, you take an hour to carefully structure a plan to follow. It would ensure you have a clear sequence of actions, timely packing and more importantly, fewer headaches. You can include:

• Individual tasks related to the move
• Approximate time for completion of tasks
• Information you need to acquire (packing materials, packing and storage techniques for specific items, etc.)
• Useful contacts
• Materials needed

Disordered packing

Disordered packing is largely related to the lack of initial information on a proper approach, the lack of a plan and the lack of enough time. Moving is a difficult process, so don't tackle it alone. Call a friend to help you pack, or get informed online in advance, by looking for recommendations in specialized groups or forums.

Panic

As in all walks of life, panic is not the best advisor when it comes to moving and could be the cause of actual packing mistakes. Lack of sufficient time and inexperience in coordinating the different parties involved in the move (landlords, transport company, relatives and acquaintances helping you) could be cause for concern. But don't give in to the initial scare. Act as calmly as possible and make sure you have chosen the right helpers who, through their experience and rationality, can reduce the stress.

Lack of materials

Among the most common packing mistakes is the lack of materials for the purpose. These can be underestimated by both first-time movers and re-movers who rely on materials from a past move. We advise you to look carefully at the materials you need: boxes in different sizes, duct tape, bubble wrap, paper, etc, and check what you actually have. Overstocking with packing materials is never unnecessary, especially when we're talking about a last-minute move.

Lack of labels

The lack of labels to mark the contents of each box is a cause of chaos, especially when moving into a new home. Although labeling boxes is obvious at first glance, it can be one of the trickiest packing mistakes. Apart from avoiding it, we also advise you to be as detailed as possible when labeling the boxes, even including the individual items packed inside. This would help you determine the unpacking sequence and would be helpful in case of lost boxes.

Overfilling boxes

Overfilling boxes with belongings is a mistake that can compromise their integrity and make it difficult for the transport company you've trusted. We advise you to opt for optimum sized boxes (according to the type of items in them) and for the optimum volume of accessories packed at once. For this purpose, you can pack in stages, for example by taking the time to pack your clothes first, then your equipment, etc.

Packing mistakes when you are in a rush

In today's fast-paced daily routine, misjudging how long a move, and the activities involved, will last can lead to a lack of time. The clock is ticking, and you become even more nervous and disbelieving in the successful outcome of the move. Here are some of the packing mistakes caused by lack of time:

Improper securing of boxes

This mistake is related to the choice of appropriate and quality materials. Don't rely on the duct tape that you usually use at home, but get a sturdy one designed specifically for occasions like moving. Take care of the inside of the box too, by taping it if necessary, adding paper, or styrofoam. For heavy and bulky boxes, make sure they are carried by enough people.

Poor quality materials

Lack of time is also linked to failure to thoroughly research what materials you will need. Shopping around is just a mirage and you end up working with what you can. As a result, you'd lose a lot more spare minutes re-gluing boxes or wondering how to replace torn ones. At worst, you end up among broken or deformed items. 

Incorrect sorting of belongings

To avoid this mistake when packing, make sure you sort your items by type beforehand. This way you can store them in separate boxes specifically selected for this purpose. Items can be divided into:

• Accessories
• Clothes
• Cosmetics
• Books
• Breakables and decoration
• Tableware
• Household materials
• Technology
• Textile materials
• Small furniture
• Pet accessories
• Sports equipment

Packing mistakes concerning the type of belongings

Errors in packing your belongings can occur depending on the type of items. In fact, there are a variety of packing techniques to optimize both the process and the space in which you need to fit the items. According to their type, you can also get an idea of the most suitable packing materials to use. Here are the most common cases of incorrect packing according to the type of items: