A move requires careful planning and precise timing; without experience, organisational errors and stress can easily occur, which is why hiring a professional removal company often makes sense.
The biggest mistakes in DIY removals
The new flat has been found or the home is ready to move into, now all the furniture and boxes have to be transported from A to B. Many people underestimate the effort involved. Many people underestimate the effort involved, because moving involves more than "just" lugging boxes and (dis)assembling furniture. Above all, the organisational issues surrounding day X require a lot of experience and know-how. Careful planning combined with precise timing is the be-all and end-all. For this reason, major mistakes are often made when moving house on your own, which prevent the move from running smoothly and cause considerable problems for those involved. It therefore almost always makes sense to commission a professional removal company with the change of domicile. This avoids unnecessary stress and allows you to keep an overview, even when things get a little more turbulent. But what exactly often goes wrong when you move yourself? Where are the worst pitfalls lurking?
Without precise planning, time pressure and forgetfulness arise; an early schedule with buffer times and marked deadlines prevents this.
Lack of planning and preparation
The worst mistakes are often made many weeks before the move. Many people fail to draw up a detailed schedule. Without one, you will very quickly find yourself under time pressure. There is also a risk that some important things simply get lost in the hustle and bustle and are forgotten. You therefore absolutely need a precise checklist that includes all tasks: from observing the notice period and dealing with the authorities to the day of the move itself. This to-do list should also always include certain buffer times and "emergency plans": for example, in case you or your removal helpers fall ill or the planned removal vehicle suddenly breaks down.
Otherwise, in the worst case scenario, you could be in for a rude awakening on day X, which could jeopardise the entire project. For a better overview, mark important deadlines on your checklist in colour with a highlighter. You can also send your change of address to banks, insurance companies and authorities weeks before the move. Only when you have worked out a precise timetable and taken care of a few things before the big day can you tackle your move calmly and confidently. By the way: Did you know that we can help you organise your move in word and deed and take the pressure off you?
Specialised removal companies organise fast, individual, barrier-free removals when needed, so that those affected receive professional help quickly without long waiting times.
Too little material
When people are dependent on a barrier-free environment at short notice due to a new disability, rapid support is extremely important. Specialised removal companies offer very prompt organisation of the move for these special cases. In consultations, such removal service providers look for suitable solutions that can fulfil the urgency of the individual situation of those affected. This means that long waiting times can usually be avoided, while customers are reliant on swift professional help.
Packing and unpacking as well as loading and unloading usually take considerably longer than planned; allow around twelve hours, generous breaks and one person to organise the catering.
When time management is underestimated
Packing, loading, unloading and unpacking often takes more time than expected. Calculating eight hours for the day of the move can therefore lead to a nasty surprise. Experience has shown that even for a smaller move that you do yourself, twelve hours is more realistic. If you are working alone or with just a few helpers, you will often need even longer. It is therefore better to calculate the time factor more generously and, above all, plan fixed blocks for (coffee or smoking) breaks and catering. After all, anyone moving or helping with the move needs to keep their strength up and have the opportunity to rest briefly in between. Think about who will take care of the food and drink beforehand. This could, for example, be someone who is not directly involved in the move. You also benefit indirectly from sufficient breaks as well as snacks and drinks, as unhappy helpers slow down the pace and cause stress.
Divide helpers into teams with fixed tasks and, if necessary, team leaders, so that responsibilities are clear and there is no chaos on moving day.
Lack of coordination
To ensure that day X is not chaotic, you should divide all helpers into teams. For example, one team (the physically strongest helpers) only takes care of the furniture, while another takes care of the boxes. In this way, you avoid a wild mix-up, overlaps or unnecessary idle time. It is best to allocate roles and responsibilities before packing the first box. If you have a large number of helpers available, appoint a "team leader" for each team who can make decisions and keep an overview in the event of any difficulties or problems. If questions arise, only the "team leader" should contact you.
ChatGPT: The transport vehicle is the centrepiece of the move: determine the load volume and choose a sufficiently large vehicle.
The wrong transport vehicle
The centrepiece and central focus of every move is the transport vehicle. It goes without saying that a small car is inadequate even for moving a single household, and even an SUV is hardly suitable for furniture. Most people therefore hire a removal vehicle: either from a DIY store or from a car hire company. However, there are often big differences between the vehicles, as everything from classic vans to lorries is available. It is therefore essential to determine the approximate volume of the load before the move. A vehicle that is too small will result in additional lugging back and forth and unnecessary extra journeys, which not only costs time but also money. To make loading and unloading easier, the vehicle should have a low loading sill.
Incorrectly lashed objects often slip when braking and cause major damage. Therefore, use lashing straps and anti-slip mats to secure the load. To avoid unpleasant surprises on the road, check the tank level and tyre pressure before the first journey. Incidentally, our company has modern and safe removal vehicles that are always in perfect technical condition!
Stack heavy items at the bottom, light items at the top; do not stack too high, cushion furniture and sensitive items well, pad boxes with crockery and fill all gaps in the vehicle
Inadequate stacking and loading
When it comes to loading, it's actually quite clear: heavy things belong at the bottom, light things at the top. Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. There are also a few rules to follow, and if these are not observed, the subsequent annoyance is sometimes considerable. For example, many people make the mistake of stacking boxes far too high. However, the "tower" can easily tip over, especially when loading and unloading. Sometimes furniture is placed in the vehicle in such a way that its corners, handles and edges become wedged together. If they are then released somewhat roughly, scratches and dents are almost inevitable.
You should always wrap disassembled furniture, slatted frames and large, delicate objects such as mirrors in protective blankets and transport them as flat as possible. This will minimise the risk of breakage. Boxes containing glasses and porcelain must be padded with plenty of filling material, otherwise even a fall from a small height will leave a sea of shards. As a general rule, you should fill every gap in the vehicle if possible. Our experienced team knows how this "puzzle" works and is happy to lend a hand!
No insurance cover for damage
If the valuable antique chest of drawers is scratched after the move or the precious painting has an ugly dent, this is more than just annoying. But it is precisely situations like these that pose the greatest risk when moving home without professional insurance. Are you and your helpers covered if the worst comes to the worst? Your own household contents and liability insurance is usually not covered. Your helpers' insurance will not always cover the costs either: it depends on the exact insurance conditions. Tip: We cover damage up to 620 euros per cubic metre!
