It’s common for some things to get broken during a house move. Removalists will tell you it’s usually the same items, the same reasons, every time. It’s usually because of bad preparation and packaging. Here are the 9 most common things that get damaged during a move and some moving tips you can follow to prevent it.
Flat Pack Furniture
Flat pack furniture break easily during a move. These are usually cheap shelves and desks from IKEA you built ages ago. Whenever you try to lift them, you’ve probably noticed the back board popping off or the whole thing twisting. Disassemble flat pack furniture before the move rather than trying to shift it whole.
Electronics and Screens
People may be careful when they pick up their TVs and computers, but they might not always properly protect them from dust particles or pressure. If you pack a TV face down on a blanket without cleaning the screen first, tiny grit particles will scratch the screen. Laptops get damaged more than desktops because people assume they’re built to travel. They are if they’re kept in a padded case, not left in the car seat or on top of moving boxes. Wipe screens before packing, wrap them properly, and keep laptops in a padded bag.
Lamps and Light Fixtures
A tall skinny table lamp is top-heavy, which means it wants to tip. If you put that in a box with some books, it’s going to shift and the shade gets crushed or the neck cracks. By the time a Sydney removalist company unpacks it, it’s all in parts. Pack lamps upright in their own box with padding around the base, and wrap the shade separately.
Artwork and Framed Photos
Artwork and framed photos get damaged in small ways. The wire on the back snags something. The corner of the frame hits a doorway. The glass can break from flexing when the frames are stalked flat with a weight on top. You usually don’t notice until you hang it and see the hairline crack. Store frames vertically, never flat, and put cardboard between each one.
Dishes and Glassware
Dishes break for obvious reasons, but also because people underestimate how much padding you need. One sheet between plates is not enough if the edges still touch. If someone puts the box down harder than planned, the plates will crack. A few extra minutes of wrapping each plate individually would have saved it.
Mattresses
Mattresses don’t break, exactly, but they get filthy. They get dragged through properties and the fabric catches every bit of dirt. Plus, if you lean it against a truck wall, now you’ve got mystery stains. Use some sort of mattress protector or make sure your removalist plastic wraps any mattresses and upholstery.
Garden Pots
Garden pots are easy to crack in transit, especially terracotta. Movement and pressure during the trip can be enough to split one that’s still holding moisture from its last watering. Let pots dry out, then wrap them individually in bubble wrap or moving blankets.
Mirrors and Glass
Mirrors and glass are one of the most fragile items in any move. It happens when you stack something heavy on top of it or you don’t protect it from things that can move in the truck. Wrap mirrors in bubble wrap and always keep them upright rather than flat.
The Heavy Stuff
The worst damage happens to things people assume are indestructible, so they don’t bother protecting them. Steel filing cabinets get dented, solid wood tables to get gouged, or stone benchtops chip at the corners. When heavy items like this shift even slightly, it hits with force. Use furniture blankets on anything solid and make sure heavy items are secured so they can’t move around in the truck.
Why Professional Movers Protect From Damage
One of the good things about using professional removalists in Sydney is that they’ve packed the same thing hundreds of times. They also use proper boxes and packing materials instead of whatever was in the garage. And they wrap and protect items the same way every time because the method works. A removalist who’s packed 100 mirrors knows exactly how much bubble wrap it takes to prevent a crack. If you’re moving anything valuable, professionals can help reduce the risk.
Preventing Damage During a Move
Most of this damage on moving day is avoidable. With an extra five minutes of proper packing, your items can arrive intact. Use the right box size, enough wrapping material, and a bit of thought about how something will sit in a truck for an hour.
