Moving house can be a stressful affair, whether you hire a moving company, use your own vehicle or rent a bakkie for the job. Aside from the worries of key exchanges, making sure you’re out of the old property on time and the risk of things get misplaced in transit, there is always the risk that your treasured personal items can be damaged. This can be prevented by taking the proper precautions when packing and moving your things. Highway Bakkie Hire offers 7 tips to protect your belongings when moving.

7 Simple But Effective Moving House Tips

It can be difficult to organise a packing job because there is just so much to consider. If you are moving in a hurry, it is particularly difficult. Before you get started, take note of these simple tips to make your packing and moving simpler and free of loss.

For everything you need to know about car and bakkie rentals, read our blog.

Way to Protect Belongings When Moving #1: Make a Complete List

As you pack, list every item and add a description of its condition. You can also take photographs if necessary. Make sure each piece of your household contents is listed. Then, when you get to the new location, tick everything off as you unpack. This is particularly useful if you are using a moving company, but even if you are doing the move yourself, this will help you to keep track of your belongings. If something is unaccounted for, you can retrace your journey and conduct a thorough search.

Way to Protect Belongings When Moving #2: Wrap Your Items Carefully

The most important thing to do is to make sure that all your belongings are carefully wrapped and protected to prevent breakage. The key to protecting fragile items is to make sure that they are protected against impact and that they won’t move too much during the trip. Make use of paper or bubble wrap and create protective layers between items in boxes.

Read Next: Understanding lockdown travel regulations

Way to Protect Belongings When Moving #3: Store Small Items and Parts Carefully

One of the most common problems people experience when moving is losing screws, Alan keys, and other small connecting parts from dismantled pieces of furniture. Be sure to set these things aside in separate bags or small boxes, or tape them to the appropriate pieces of furniture.

Way to Protect Belongings When Moving #4: Choose the Right Boxes

You can make the move much easier by being more strategic when packing. Lighter items can be packed in cardboard boxes, but heavier ones can be more easily moved in plastic crates or bins. In addition, with particularly heavy items like books, it is better to use smaller boxes to make them easier to handle.

Way to Protect Belongings When Moving #5: Don’t Broadcast Your Moving Plans

You can never discount the possibility that criminals may take advantage of the open gates and doors, and a general sense of disorder during a move. It’s best not to talk too openly about your moving plans, especially on social media. You can always share pictures and talk about the experience afterwards. Beforehand, however, it’s best to keep it to yourself.

Way to Protect Belongings When Moving #6: Check your Insurance Cover

Anything can happen during a move, no matter how well you’ve planned and packed. The only way to guard against this is to make sure you have enough insurance coverage to replace your belongings should there be any theft or an accident of some kind. Your household insurance might cover you during a move – call your insurance company to find out. You may need to get some extra cover for the move.

Way to Protect Belongings When Moving #7: Secure Items on The Truck Carefully

When loading your truck, don’t just pack furniture and boxes in whatever order they come. Be strategic with your packing. Pack logically so that everything fits together snugly and securely, ensure minimal movement during the trip. Pack heavier items at the bottom and the lighter ones on top. Finally, if necessary – particularly if you’re using a truck with an open back – secure the load with rope and test it to make sure it is stable and firmly placed before you hit the road.

Trust a Respected Bakkie Hire Company

If you want to rent a bakkie or truck for your move – a Toyota Hilux or Dyna, for example – Highway Bakkie Hire can provide vehicles in excellent condition, at great rates. Contact us for all the details.

Now Read: Car Hire: Expectation vs Reality