One of the reasons that moves are as distressing as they are is that there’s always the possibility that a lot could go wrong. While a slight delay in plans and a temporary misplacement of an item are mishaps that can be easily overcome, damage to your items during a move cannot. This is why all first-time or seasoned movers want to know if there’s any way they can make absolutely sure that no large-scale misstep or damage occurs during a move.
Unfortunately, there is no iron-clad surety that can fully save you from even the slightest possibility of damage during a move, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some very efficient steps to absolutely minimize it. We’re gathering the most useful tips you’ll need on how to avoid damage during a move so you partake in the ordeal with significantly more peace of mind.
Shed some of the load.
One of the major reasons that damage takes place during a move is over-packing and overstuffing boxes. This occurs in the first place because there are too many items to begin with, and some of them are just weight and nothing else. Always make sure that decluttering is a part of your packing process before the move. Nothing quite meets the embarrassment and frustration that comes with watching boxes rip apart and spill items during a move.
If you’re not big on giving things away, try to sell them so you can generate some money to help with an already expensive move. Decluttering will also help you unload and unpack more easily, so it helps avoid damage during a move in a two-fold way. If thoughts of things going wrong during a move are plaguing your mind, try to reduce the number of things you’re packing.
Be a little extra with measures.
One thing about larger pieces of furniture is that they’re almost always likely to get stuck somewhere when being unloaded. This doesn’t only result in a lot of heavily flustered individuals but also causes lots of damage to your items. A way to avoid this is to take measures for these bigger pieces and compare them with the entrance dimensions of the new place. This way, you’ll know which furniture needs to be broken down.
Going the extra mile with this will also save you lots of time during the move. This is because you’ll already be sure that certain items will move and fit easily when they’re unloaded, nor will you have to go through the frustrating trial-and-error of forcing things in and out of tiny spaces. To avoid damage during a move, you need to make sure you take an appropriate handful of precautions.
Handle things with extra care.
It seems that no items are as prone to damage and breakage as much as fragile articles like mirrors, frames, décor, and other valuables. Luckily, there is something you can do about it. Get the right protective equipment for items prone to breakage, like corner protectors, and also make sure to add all the extra layers for safety too. Also, take your time with packing these fragile articles; the better you do it, the safer your items are.
Another essential tip is to never compromise on the quality of your supplies. Saving on packing items might seem attractive when every other aspect of the move is turning out to be so costly, but remind yourself that if saving money on that front results in damage, then you’re better off spending it. Good and sturdy packing supplies come with a peace of mind tag included!
Prevent other types of damage too.
Damage to your furniture and other items isn’t the only kind of damage you should work on avoiding during a move. In fact, you’d be surprised at just how many accidents and slips, and falls occur on a moving day. While it is beyond any of us to ensure that everyone involved in the move has impeccable posture and balance on the day of, there are some preventative steps you can take to ensure no one gets hurt on the job.
Ask your moving company for non-slip runners, or go out and get your own while stocking up on packing supplies. These make sure that slippery surfaces that have texture that provides friction. Also, try and integrate foam covers on as many parts of the house as possible, so if anyone does end up sustaining a fall, the damage will be minimal.
Take kids out of the equation.
Look, whenever there are children involved, the likelihood of someone getting hurt during a move just goes up drastically. One of the most efficient things you can do to avoid this kind of damage during a move is to hire a sitter for moving day or ask a family member over to watch your young ones at all times.
You’d be surprised at how easily children get into trouble during a move. There’s also a lot of disruption and confusion that comes with the loading and unloading process when kids are going in and out. Avoid damage during a move by making sure your children are at a safe distance. Ideally, the more distance, the better.
Get the right kind of insurance.
While we would love to tell you that the above steps can fully cancel out the chance of damage during a move, that’s not the case. This is why it’s always wise to remain prepared in the best of ways for damage, its compensation, and keeping everything as minimal as possible. Having an insurance contract in place with your moving company will ensure that you are reimbursed or adequately compensated for any damage that occurs during the move.
Make sure you go through your already existing insurance and detail what it covers and how it claims to recompense in the case of damage during a move. It’s also prudent to undergo a valuation process for your items, so there’s no confusion afterward. One of the best ways to avoid serious damage from a move is to be prepared.