Most Common Packing Mistakes to Avoid

If you are packing for a move, plan ahead to avoid these common mistakes that can cost you valuable time and money during your move. Protect yourself and your belongings by packing properly for a move.

Making a mistake when you’re packing up your house for a move could end up being more damaging and costly than you might realize. Not only do you run the risk of damaging your personal items (many of which are irreplaceable or have personal value), but you can also end up hurting yourself physically.

Take good care of your stuff—and yourself—by avoiding these common packing mistakes.

> Packing Heavy Items in Large Boxes: It makes sense, right? Small items go in small boxes, large items go in large ones. Unfortunately, this rarely works out well in the end. No box, no matter what its size, should weigh more than 50 pounds. Any heavier, and you risk breaking the box, damaging the item, and putting too much strain on your back.

> Not Purchasing New Boxes/Packing Supplies: You may be able to save money by using newspaper and old boxes from your basement rather than buying packing supplies, but it will probably end up costing you more in the end. Cardboard loses its durability with time and excessive use, and nothing will ever beat the safety of bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Inquire with your mover on new, specialized moving supply kits that specifically fit your needs.

> Ignoring Specialty Items: A refrigerator isn’t packed the same way as a television. Books should be treated differently than kitchen utensils. Everything you move has its own requirements and restrictions, and it’s important to know what these are. Consult a packing guide before you start getting things ready and ensure you have the right materials for each job.

> Moving Items You Don’t Need: Nothing wastes your time and money more than packing up items you don’t end up keeping. Decide ahead of time if you really want to keep that old couch or box of trophies. Hold a garage sale or give everything away to a local charity. Moving only the items you know you’ll end up using can save you quite a bit of time and money in the end.

> Putting it Off Until the Last Moment: It’s an almost universal rule—packing will take you about three times longer than you think it will. Start early, work a little bit every day, and clean as you go. Saving everything until the last few days before a move is likely to increase your chances of making a mistake, cutting corners or forgetting something.

Another good rule of thumb is to avoid doing all the moving yourself. This is one time in your life where it’s perfectly okay to ask for help and to accept what is offered from others. If you don’t hire a moving company, consider asking friends and family members to pitch in. Moving an entire household takes quite a bit of time and planning, and doing it on your own can make things overwhelming and lead to injuries.