You may have done a few DIY moves over the years. Often students will throw their belongings into a buddy’s pickup truck and drive over to their new place all for the low, low, price of pizza and beer. Everyone wants to reduce moving costs, but there are several common myths about moving on your own that, if believed, can cause stress, frustration, and maybe even additional expenses.
1. Using free and inexpensive packing supplies saves money.
Using cheap packing supplies to save money is one of the most common myths about moving. But the truth is that not all boxes are suitable for packing. Some boxes are too thin and will crush when stacked in a moving van. Others are too flimsy and will split wide open when carrying them. Boxes from grocery stores can be contaminated with food waste which soils your goods and attracts insects. In addition, they often can’t be sealed closed at the top, so the packed boxes can not easily stack on top of each other. Clean, sturdy boxes are an investment because they protect your household goods. Alternatively, renting plastic totes might work well for your move.
It is tempting to use any sticky tape you can find in a drawer to seal your boxes. But not all kinds of tape stick to cardboard so boxes could break open as you’re carrying them. And, if you’ve ever used cheap tape that splits down the middle causing you to lose the end (not to mention waste tape), you know how frustrating and time-consuming it is. Good quality packing tape will stick to your moving boxes and be easy to unroll and cut. In the end, it will save you time and energy.
Newspaper is a nightmare. It is one of the worst packing materials because the ink rubs off – on your hands, clothes, and everything you touch. It makes a terrible mess and is very difficult to remove – especially from delicate objects. Packing paper is better. It is thicker than newspaper and less likely to rip or tear, making it easier to work with, and there is no ink!
Some DIY moving websites suggest using sheets, towels, and clothing as packing material. I’m afraid I have to disagree. For fragile items, you want to tape the package closed so that the object does not inadvertently fall out of the wrappings when you unpack. Also, the tape sticks to fabrics and might not be easy to remove, and it can leave a sticky, impossible-to-remove residue. However, you could use sheets, towels, blankets, pillows, and other linens as padding between your paper-wrapped goods and the box.
2. I will remember what I put in each box.
No, you won’t remember what is in each box. When the boxes are shuffled from your old home to your new home, it’s a little like the Shell Game. You will have no idea which box is which. Take the time to label every box or be like the Out of Chaos team and use colour-coded labels to indicate which box goes into which room.
Labelling each box is time-consuming, but it takes less time and effort than searching all over your new home trying to find the item you need when you need it by unpacking random boxes in various rooms. Do you want another hint? Place the label on the sides of the box because if you place the label on the top, it is covered up when you stack the boxes.
Creating a complete inventory (a detailed list of the contents of each box) is a lot of work and is likely not necessary for a local door-to-door move. However, it is essential for an international move. A detailed inventory is also highly recommended for insurance purposes if you put your home contents in long-term storage.
3. It’s less expensive to hire a truck and move everything myself.
This is another very common myth about moving on your own. On paper (or in the TV ads), it might be less expensive to rent a truck and move everything yourself. But how are your driving skills? Can you negotiate a large truck through narrow city streets in the snow? How about maneuvering through a small parking garage and reversing into a loading dock? Experienced truck drivers make it seem easy, but it isn’t! Also, you’ll have to pay for fuel and insurance when renting a moving van.
You might think that taking Friday off work will give you a three-day weekend to move. But weekends are one of the busiest times, and moving trucks rent at premium rates. Then, there is the risk of injury to you (or your friends/family) when lifting heavy furniture or trying to do too much in one weekend. You can also cause damage to your old or new home, not to mention your belongings if you have an accident due to inexperience. These expenses can add up. Professional movers have the tools, equipment, and experience to work effectively and efficiently, leaving you well rested to settle into your new home.
4. When I choose a DIY move, I can take anything and everything.
Even when you move on your own, you still must obey Transport Canada’s laws on the shipment of dangerous goods. You cannot transport items like explosives, compressed gasses, or corrosives. Besides damaging your household goods, you risk injuring other people. And I doubt any insurance company would provide coverage if you broke the law when your moving van exploded like these ones in Melbourne, Australia and Phoenix, AZ. Remember you must take special precautions when transporting alcohol, tobacco, and firearms too.
Don’t let these common myths about moving derail your plans. At Out of Chaos, we’ve helped renters and homeowners relocate for the last 20 years. Contact us today and let us help you plan a stress-free™ move.
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