“Life is a journey, not a destination. Moving to a new place is just another step along the way”

Introduction:

Moving to a new home is an exciting chapter, but it can also be overwhelming if you’re not well-prepared. Many people make simple mistakes during the moving process that can lead to stress, unexpected costs, and even damage to their belongings. To help ensure your next move goes smoothly, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 common moving mistakes—and how to avoid them:

1. Procrastinating on Packing

The Mistake: Waiting until the last minute to pack is a recipe for chaos. When you rush, it’s easy to throw items into boxes without sorting or organizing them, which makes unpacking a nightmare. You also risk breaking fragile items due to careless packing.

How to Avoid It: Start packing as early as possible. Begin with the non-essentials (like seasonal items or decor) and gradually work your way toward everyday essentials. Aim to have everything packed a couple of days before your moving date. Create a packing schedule that breaks down the process into manageable tasks over several weeks to avoid last-minute panic.

2. Not Hiring Movers Early Enough

The Mistake: Waiting too long to book your moving company can leave you scrambling to find help, especially during peak moving seasons like summer or the end of the month. This can result in higher prices or, worse, not finding a reliable mover at all.

How to Avoid It: As soon as you know your moving date, start researching and contacting moving companies. Get quotes and confirm your booking early to ensure you have professional movers lined up and avoid higher fees associated with last-minute bookings.

3. Forgetting to Measure Furniture and Doorways

The Mistake: One of the most frustrating moving day experiences is realizing your furniture won’t fit through the door, hallway, or stairwell of your new home. This can result in costly delays and potential damage to both your furniture and the walls.

How to Avoid It: Measure your largest furniture pieces—like sofas, beds, and dining tables—and compare those dimensions to your new home’s doorways, hallways, and elevators. If needed, consider disassembling furniture ahead of time to ensure it fits through tight spaces or hire movers experienced in handling large or awkward items.

4. Overpacking Boxes

The Mistake: Stuffing boxes full to the brim with heavy items can make them difficult to move and increase the risk of items breaking. Overloaded boxes can also strain movers’ backs or cause the boxes to break open during transport.

How to Avoid It: Distribute weight evenly across your boxes. For heavy items like books, use smaller boxes to prevent overloading. Reserve larger boxes for lighter items like bedding, pillows, or clothing. A good rule of thumb is to keep boxes under 50 pounds to make them easier to carry and less prone to damage.

5. Not Labeling Boxes Clearly

The Mistake: Failing to label boxes properly can turn unpacking into a guessing game, making it harder to find essential items after the move. It can also slow down the unloading process, as movers won’t know where each box belongs.

How to Avoid It: Label each box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs in (e.g., "Kitchen – Dishes" or "Living Room – Books"). Color-coded labels or stickers for each room can also speed up the unpacking process and help movers know exactly where to place boxes.

6. Forgetting to Notify Important Parties of Your Move

The Mistake: Forgetting to notify your utility providers, post office, and other key contacts about your move can lead to issues such as missed bills, interrupted services, or not receiving important mail at your new address.

How to Avoid It: Create a checklist of everyone you need to inform about your move, including utility companies (electricity, water, internet), your bank, your employer, and any subscriptions or memberships you have. Set up mail forwarding with the post office at least two weeks before your move to ensure you don’t miss any important correspondence.

7. Not Getting Insurance for Your Valuables

The Mistake: Skipping on moving insurance can lead to significant losses if something valuable gets damaged or lost during the move. Even with the most careful movers, accidents can happen, and without insurance, you’ll be left covering the cost.

How to Avoid It: Check with your moving company to see what kind of insurance coverage they offer. For high-value items like electronics, artwork, or antiques, consider purchasing additional moving insurance. If the moving company doesn't offer that coverage, no problem. Contact your insurance company to see if you can purchase it through them. It’s worth the peace of mind to know that your items are protected.

8. Underestimating Moving Costs

The Mistake: Many people overlook certain expenses when planning a move, such as packing materials, gas for the truck, tolls, and lodging for long-distance moves. This can blow your budget out of the water.

How to Avoid It: Get a detailed quote from your moving company that outlines all potential costs, including labor, transportation, fuel, and any additional services. Create a moving budget and include a buffer for unexpected expenses like last-minute supplies or extra help on moving day.

9. Not Packing an Essentials Box

The Mistake: Packing everything away, only to realize you don’t have access to basic necessities like toiletries, important documents, or a change of clothes, can add unnecessary stress on moving day.

How to Avoid It: Pack an essentials box with everything you’ll need for the first couple of days in your new home. Include toiletries, medications, snacks, important documents, basic kitchen supplies (like a coffee maker and utensils), and a few changes of clothes. This way, you won’t have to dig through boxes to find what you need after a long day of moving.

10. Forgetting to Take Inventory

The Mistake: Failing to keep track of your belongings during a move can result in lost or misplaced items. This can be especially stressful when dealing with valuable or sentimental items.

How to Avoid It: Create an inventory list before packing, noting the contents of each box and any valuable items. Take photos of important belongings for insurance purposes. This will not only help you keep track of everything but also ensure you can quickly spot if something goes missing.

Moving can be a complex process, but avoiding these common mistakes will save you from unnecessary stress and ensure a smoother experience. With careful planning, the right help, and a little organization, your move can go off without a hitch. Need professional assistance to ensure everything goes as planned? Contact Smooth Move today for a free quote, and let our expert team take the stress out of your move!