Apartment Moving Guide: How To Move Out Without Damages

Moving out of an apartment can be a lot of work. From coordinating with utility providers to loading and unloading boxes of belongings, there are several tasks that can be hard to do, much less keep track of.

In the middle of all this, it’s very likely for you to encounter some hiccups along the way. For instance, as you move your belongings, you could dent your walls or countertops in your old apartment. 

If you were renting out the unit, then you may have to shell out money from your bond to cover the repairs. Even small scratches, stains, or broken fixtures can require you to pay, potentially even delaying the move.

That’s not the only risk. As you move your stuff out, your belongings could be damaged too. Furniture might get scratched, fragile items could break, and electronics may short-circuit. 

Without proper packing, your items are at risk, including those of sentimental value that you may not be able to replace with ease. As such, it’s important to practice the highest form of caution when handling your belongings.

In this moving guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to move out of your old apartment with as minimal damage done to your belongings as possible. Let’s jump straight into it.

Set a Moving Timeline

One way to avoid making critical mistakes when moving is by organising the move and designing a moving timeline for it. 

Typically, when planning out a move, you’ll have to be on top of several tasks, such as coordinating with utility providers, packing and unpacking belongings, and updating your address across multiple firms and government agencies. It’s not unlikely for some of these chores to slip under the radar. 

A moving timeline helps introduce a semblance of structure throughout the whole moving process. This makes following along with various key tasks a much simpler ordeal, reducing the likelihood of you forgetting logistical necessities and details that you may otherwise overlook.

That said, the effectiveness of the moving timeline hinges on what you include in it. 

To make an effective moving timeline, you should break down all the tasks that need to be accomplished in an orderly manner. The earlier you formalise the moving timeline, the better. Planning the move at least six weeks to two months beforehand is usually plenty of time to organise everything without rushing.

The moving timeline should include the main contact person, weekly/task deadlines, and associated costs with key activities. For instance, if you’re hiring a removalist to lend you a helping hand, you’ll have to know their contact details, availability, and service offering. Looking for one of the better removalist or truck options? The best truck rental for moving is Redspot.

This moving timeline, in essence, covers all tasks necessary to accomplish the move from beginning to end. The micro deadlines help ensure that you can visually track each specific deadline for certain tasks and avoid scrambling at the last minute.

In any case, preparing a moving checklist at the start of the moving process can help you keep track of everything that needs to be done. When preparing your moving checklist, be sure to set aside ample time in case you fall behind on certain tasks—having this contingency in place ensures that slight deviations in your plan won’t completely sidetrack your entire schedule.

Use Sturdy Packing Materials

Another essential factor people moving apartments need to keep in mind is the sturdiness and durability of their main packaging shells. 

A lot of people make the mistake of using old and worn-out cardboard boxes that have been sitting in their basements or attics as their primary packing materials. While they can work in a pinch, they may have lost some of their structural strength, increasing the likelihood of them collapsing under the weight of your items.

To prevent putting your items at risk, especially fragile ones like electronics and dishware, it’s crucial that you pack them in sturdy materials. Buying or recycling plastic crates or reinforced moving boxes is a good idea, as they can withstand stacking and high loads during transit. 

Furthermore, it’s also important to use high-quality duct tape and bubble wrap to ensure that items won’t get dislodged or damaged during transit. Items in transit tend to move a lot, even inside boxes, so having styrofoam inside these boxes ensures that damage from bumps is minimal.

By investing in sturdy materials, you’ll limit the risk of your belongings sustaining damage. In turn, this can make move-in day in your new apartment feel much smoother and less stressful.

Protect Walls, Floors, and Doorways 

It’s essential to keep the structure inside your old apartment intact and scratch-free. 

Any visible damage, from dents to chipped paint, can be quite unsightly for the landlord and future tenants. 

Not to mention, it also adds an extra cost burden for the landlord to repair and fix. To compensate for this, the landlord may pass the cost to their tenants. This is common practice, as tenants are typically contractually obligated to pay to cover the repairs of damages, even if they’re moving out.

And during this move-out stage, you’re more at risk of bumping bulky furniture and sharp objects against your walls and doorways. 

If you want to prevent damage in these vital areas of your apartment, then you should highly consider adding protective measures. For instance, you can wrap your doorways with tape cushions or foam padding to reduce impact. You can also consider wrapping your furniture instead with protective pads to shield both the furniture and the walls of the house.

By doing this, you’ll be less likely to cause damage to the apartment you’re moving out of (and relocating to). In turn, this can lead to fewer delays caused by extra tasks to fulfil and a smoother moving time overall.

Clean As You Go

It’s expected for people moving out of their homes to produce random bits of waste as they navigate the move-out process. Over time, if left uncleaned, this waste can build up and make it difficult to get things done in your area, whether it’s packing or moving boxes of stuff to a designated spot in your home.

To make it easier for yourself, follow the practice of cleaning as you go. Collect rubbish, sweep floors, and clean windows and walls the moment a room is cleared. This prevents dirt from spreading and saves you from having to deep-clean the entire apartment all at once. It also makes it easier for you to spot things that may need fixing before the final inspection.

By spacing out the cleaning process, you stay ahead of the mess and ensure nothing gets overlooked. Plus, it makes your final move-out day far less overwhelming.

Disassemble Large Furniture

Bulky, multi-piece furniture can be difficult to carry and relocate, especially if you’re moving it from one cramped place to another. 

The good news is that many of these pieces of furniture—such as coffee tables, dressers, and even beds—can be disassembled into smaller pieces.

If you want to reduce the risk of your items getting damaged during transit, then take them apart and store them wrapped up. Store screws, bolts, and small hardware that come with specific furniture pieces in a labelled ziplock bag. 

By disassembling these furniture pieces, you can move furniture more easily across tight hallways and narrow apartment buildings. This, in turn, makes it even smoother once you finally move into your new apartment.

Handle Electronics Safely

Some of the most fragile and high-risk items you’ll handle during a move are your electronics. From your TV set to your CPU, these appliances and electronics are quite delicate and can quickly be rendered inoperable if they land on the wrong side.

As this is the case, it’s important to move these items with utmost care to not only protect the asset, but also keep you and your removalist crew safe from harm’s way. There are multiple ways to go about this.

For one, consider putting the electronic in its original packaging if you still have it. This makes the item fit its box snugly and prevents unintended movements. You should also back up data from PCs and hard drives as an extra measure.

You can also make things more convenient by labelling cords and cables with their respective appliance connection. You should also wrap each device with anti-static bubble wrap to prevent damage. Lastly, be sure to keep your electronics away from extreme heat or cold and moisture. 

With proper preparation, your electronics can arrive safely and work just as they did before. We hope these tips will serve you well as you navigate moving to your new space!