Efficiency is the name of the game in DIY moves — every step must be well planned and organized for a successful move. With this in mind, most people forget about the last step of the moving process, unloading. Unload in the wrong manner and you can add hours onto your moving time. Unload the right way and you’ll be done before you know it and happily on your way! Here are Moving Insider’s tips on how to unload a cargo van.
The Load May Have Shifted, So Be Gentle
Although you packed things a certain way, that bump, pothole, and wide turn may have shifted your load around. Because of this, loose items may have become lodged or tangled within other items, so it’s important to remember to be gentle while unpacking. If something isn’t coming out smoothly or right away, stop and observe the situation. Look from another angle to see if something is caught or stuck on another item. Although this may take a few extra seconds when unpacking, it will save you time in the long run fixing a possible broken item because you just ripped it out.
Unload By Tier
Ever played the game Jenga? Unpacking a cargo van is a little bit like the childhood game that everyone loves in the sense that if you pull a box from the bottom, more than likely the stack is going to topple. To avoid this situation, start from the top and work your way down and then back, going layer by layer. You packed in tiers so you want to unpack in the reverse order. Although it may look tempting to pull out something on the bottom, don’t! Rather be safe than sorry, right?
Clear Space and Make Groups
Whether you’re working alone or in a two man team, creating a staging area right outside the van is a great way to stay organized and help shave total time off the duration of your move. Create a separate pile for the different types of cargo — bedroom, kitchen and kid’s play area for example. Or in the case of an inner-city business move, office supplies, personal items and then meeting room equipment. This will help keep everything organized and make sure items go to their new homes the first time, every time.
On the flip side of that it’s also important to prep the areas that you will be moving into. Make sure they are move in ready — the room is clean, there is no extra clutter, and you can unpack in place. If you have to continually move the items time and time again that’s just going to add time and effort to your move. And who wants that?
Are you a cargo van expert? Is there an unloading tip that we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
