For many people, our home is our biggest asset. But spare a thought for a moment about its contents. In many cases, our home’s contents can consist of a great many valuable and irreplaceable items. Therefore, when it comes time to relocate these possessions, it only makes sense to do everything possible in order to protect them from damage. In many instances, packing securely comes down to common sense. However, it still remains to be seen that the most common cause of damage to goods in-transit is down to improper packing. This is second only to the efforts of inexperienced removers who may drop items or stack them incorrectly inside the truck. Rather than become another victim of this phenomenon, it makes sense to follow packing guidelines closely and enlist the help of professionals for your move. A summary of these guidelines is provided for you below, compliments of Lift & Load Removals.

Top Tips to help avoid Damages during Moving:

1. Make sure you are using the proper packing materials for your goods. You can use a variety of materials to pad items such as bubble wrap, tissue paper, newspaper, old sheets, towels, blankets and cardboard. As a general rule, the more delicate the item, the finer the padding should be – for example wine glasses would require tissue paper or bubble wrap, whereas a large mirror could be wrapped in a blanket. Ensure gaps in boxes with breakables are filled with padding and only use high-quality packing tapes and sturdy boxes.

2. Heavier items should be packed at the bottom of a box, with lighter items on top – this will prevent items being crushed as well as ensuring that your boxes do not become overloaded. It is also wise to apply extra packing tape across the base of each box you use.

3.  Use a variety of box sizes and shapes to ensure packing efficiency. Only pack lighter items into very large boxes (e.g. kitchen plastics) so that you don’t end up packing a box no one can lift safely.

4. Ensure you label boxes containing fragile items accordingly, as well as noting when a box should not be upturned. Note the destination room for each box clearly on top so that your removalists can place boxes into the correct location for you, this will save a lot of time unloading and help prevent damage. Consider that every time a box must be moved it increases the risk of damaged items inside.

5. Make sure items with removable parts are secured, and emptied. For instance, drawers left unsecured can slide out and be damaged during lifting. Either remove them completely and pack items inside them and then wrap in sheets, or fix them in place in a manner which won’t damage the surface.

6. Pack similar items together. It makes sense to match like with like to both reduce damage and make unpacking easier.

7. Start packing as early as possible. This means well in advance of the day of your move! Packing at the last minute can lead to hasty mistakes being made and increases the risks of damage threefold.

8. Hire a professional removalist team to ensure all your hard work packing isn’t undermined by careless lifting and truck loading.

These are just some measures that should be taken by you while moving interstate in order to avoid any kind of damage to your most precious possessions. Whilst it is simply not possible to guarantee no damage will occur even after taking all of the above precautions, following this advice will set you up for the best possible outcome so you can relax and enjoy the move and the thought of all the exciting times ahead in your new home.