6 packing mistakes that can cost you a lot

The packing process can look simple but it’s quite complicated. Whether you are packing your household/office for relocation or storing your belongings inside one of our self storage Seattle units, there is a lot of room for error. So, what can you do to make the process easier, and avoid any packing mistakes that can cost you? Simple, you learn about these mistakes first and then you will be a lot less likely to make them. In this article, we will present you with some of the most common mistakes that can make your relocation/storage cost more and be more difficult.

Six packing mistakes that can cost you

While there may be dozens of small mistakes that you can make, these six can be more devastating than the others:

• Leaving the packing process for the last minute
• Packing absolutely everything
• Not getting enough packing supplies
• Getting the wrong packing supplies
• No labeling
• Trying to do everything on your own

Before we get more into the specifics of each mistake, we would just like to mention that you can make the whole process easier by hiring professionals. If you are planning to store your items inside one of our self storage units Lynnwood WA, for example, you may want to get in touch with a moving company from the area. They can help you with advice that is tailored to your situation, as well as provide services that can make the whole process much smoother. With that in mind, let’s see what the packing mistakes that can cost you and that you will want to avoid are.

#1: Last minute packing

Regardless of the time you think you have, it is never a good idea to leave packing for the last minute. The packing process can be deceptive, and you may think that you have everything under control until it becomes evident that you don’t. Without a proper plan and a strategy, you might rush the whole process and endanger your belongings.

The best way to avoid this mistake is to start packing at least one month before the relocation or before you plan on taking your items to storage. That allows you to spend a few hours each day and pack a box or three, without any pressure. But if you simply can’t afford to deal with the packing process in time, it might be better to hire a moving company Washington respects and have them help you. While it may be costly, it may prove to be less so than if you under protect your items.

#2: Excessive packing

Perhaps the most common among the packing mistakes that can cost you is to pack absolutely everything they own. This is not a good idea, as it will necessitate a larger storage unit or increase relocation costs. Therefore, what you want to do is go through a decluttering process first and pack second. It can be hard to get rid of some items, yes, but the fact of the matter is that if you haven’t used an item for a year or two, it is usually safe to get rid of it.

#3: Lack of packing supplies

To protect your items for their stay in the storage unit, or for their trip to your new home or office, you are going to need plenty of packing supplies. A very common mistake is to purchase fewer supplies than you actually need. You may think that you don’t have a lot of items to pack and acquire fewer packing materials and end up not providing enough protection for them.

It is always better to have some extra supplies on hand than to not have enough. The best way to optimize the spending is to take your time packing one particular room. That way, you will see how many supplies are actually needed and can make easier calculations for the rest of your home or office.

#4: Wrong packing supplies

But having enough packing supplies is not sufficient on its own. You also need to ensure that every item and box are utilizing the correct packing materials. Plastic and cardboard boxes require different supplies to maximize protection, and different items require different padding.

What you can do to make this process a lot easier is to get in touch with a professional mover. Ask them for a free quote for the packing service and take note of what packing supplies are included. That is an easy way to figure out exactly what kind of materials you might need. You can also ask them for packing advice and tips, making the process a lot easier.

#5: No labels on your boxes

Another mistake that is very easy to make is not labeling your boxes. While relocating or storing boxes, it is easy to forget what box holds which items. And that can be catastrophic in some cases. You will need to stack some boxes on top of one another, and you need to know which of them contain fragile items.

Therefore, simply print labels or simply write on the box itself. You will want to be as detailed as possible, but short and concise as well. In other words, you need a balance of the two.

#6: Going through the packing process on your own

Usually, packing is at least a two-person job. Going through a packing process alone is one of the more serious packing mistakes that can cost you. The reason why that is the case is that some of the materials are difficult to handle with just one pair of hands. The more the better, of course, but even having one more person helping you can make a huge difference. You can always hire professionals from the state of Washington to help you out, of course, but with a couple of friends or family members, you might not need to. All you need to do is let your friends know that you need help and they will be glad to offer it!

Why Choose Us

History

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage is locally owned and operated by the same family for four generations, since 1890. We have a well-established reputation for service quality and reliability with a high percentage of repeat household and commercial clients.

Professionalism

We’re a certified ProMover by the American Moving and Storage Association with A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, voted “Best in Western Washington” in 2009 and from 2011 to 2016 by KING5. Our company is fully licensed and insured and member of WMC and AMSA.

Value

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage provide free, no-obligation in-home estimate and competitive rates, including low minimum rates for shipments moving under 300 miles. We’ve set a refund policy for unused packing materials and three Puget Sound locations to help clients save on travel fee costs.