Here you are, with an upcoming move on the calendar and a plan to tackle the job yourself, scrolling through the internet to avoid the pitfalls of a DIY move. As one of Sydney’s top removalist companies, we salute your effort and appreciate your be-prepared attitude. We’ve also seen plenty of DIY moves go wrong, so we thought we’d use today’s blog to highlight the top 5 mistakes we see people make when they attempt to move themselves and tell you how to avoid the nightmare.
Let’s dive in!
Mistake #1: Procrastinating
It’s hard to believe this little, five-syllable word can wreak such havoc on a DIY move…but it absolutely can. Waiting until the last minute to start packing virtually guarantees you’ll be packing fragile items in a rush, thereby increasing the likelihood of breakage during the move.
And the same goes for renting a moving van and other necessary equipment like dollies, straps, and blankets—the longer you delay, the greater the odds that items won’t be available on the day you’ve planned your move.
How to avoid it: Don’t wait. Start planning a couple of months before your move. Go ahead and reserve a moving truck and any necessary equipment. Start packing four weeks in advance to avoid the last-minute rush. Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need, and your move will go great.
Mistake #2: Using Used Boxes
Look, we get it. You’ve just closed on a new home, you’re already shelling out money to rent a moving truck and the necessary accessories, and you’re looking around your current home at all the items you must box up thinking surely there must be a cheaper solution than buying hundreds of boxes. So, you start driving around town, picking up old boxes from behind big box department stores or your local grocery market in an attempt to save money.
The problem is that those boxes are not designed for moving and are likely to fall apart, which means the money you “saved” using flimsy old boxes must now go to replacing all the items you lost during your move.
How to avoid it: Bite the bullet and purchase boxes designed for use when moving. Their heavy-duty construction will ensure your items stay safe and secure throughout your move.
Mistake #3: Not Taking the Time to Declutter
We cannot tell you how many times we’ve moved boxes for clients that have been sitting in their garage collecting dust since their last move. Seriously…they haven’t been opened in years, yet the client is paying to have them moved again.
The reason people don’t declutter is usually that they’ve procrastinated, and they are packing in full panic mode so there’s no time to sort items.
How to avoid it: Make sure you’ve built time into your moving schedule to go through each room, divvying items into piles that will be moved, piles that will be sold at a garage sale or donated, and items that need to be thrown away. Reducing the amount of stuff you must move will save you time and money…and the money you make at your garage sale can further reduce the total cost of your move.
Mistake #4: Renting a Moving Van That is Too Small or Too Large
There is nothing worse than paying the rental fee on a moving van that turns out to be too large…except, perhaps filling a small van to capacity and still having two rooms worth of boxes that need to be moved. Many DIY movers opt to err on the side of caution and pay extra for an oversized van…but there’s no need to spend money for space you don’t need.
How to avoid it: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The company that’s renting you the moving van should be able to help you estimate the right size of truck to transport all your belongings in a single move.
Mistake #5: Assuming a DIY Move is Cheaper than Hiring Professionals
Many homeowners assume that, with the help of a few buddies, they can tackle a move themselves and save tons of cash. But the truth is, between renting trucks and accessories, paying for fuel, the potential for injury to you and your friends, and the amount of time it will take you to complete the move compared to a team of pros, DIY moves often end up costing more in the long run.
How to avoid it: Ask for an estimate from a team of removalists you trust. You might be surprised at just how reasonably priced a professional move can be. If you’re interested in exploring this option, we hope you’ll contact us at Holloway Removals. Our team of experts can create a custom quote specific to your move with all the services you need and nothing you don’t.
Make your move the right way…with Holloway.
