Moving Mistakes You Should Avoid
Moving typically marks an exciting change in your life, however, sometimes lack of preparation can cause you to make some pretty scary moving mistakes, creating stress and despair. Relocating from one residence to another takes a lot of careful planning, including time, effort, and money. We want your move to go as smoothly as possible while avoiding unnecessary problems.
In the spirit of all things Fall and October, we’ve compiled a list of some of the scariest moving mistakes you can make. Read on, if you dare…
1. Not getting rid of anything
Moving is a terrific opportunity for a fresh start! When you’re going through all your belongings, make piles you’d like to donate or sell. Finding t-shirts you no longer wear? Donate them to your local shelter. You’ll be helping someone in need while minimizing the items you’ll have to move to your new residence. (A great rule of thumb – get rid of anything you haven’t used in the last year.)
Thinking about holding a moving sale? Prepare yourself.
2. Thinking you have more time
Overestimating is better than underestimating in this case. It often takes way longer to organize and pack than we envision it will take. When you are lucky enough to have time to plan, avoiding last-minute chaos is key. First, determine your move-out date based on when your rent over, your home sells, or end of school term. Once you’ve determined when your move out date will be, count back 8 to 10 weeks on a calendar. This will give you an ample amount of time to sort your items and plan a solid budget for your move. Don’t procrastinate! You’ll regret it.
5 Things You Forget to Do Before a Move
3. Skimping to save a buck
Who doesn’t love saving a buck? We get it, but most moves are so extensive that hiring the services of a professional moving company is money well spent. Rather than convincing your friends to spend all their valuable free time helping you, let them relax on their weekend! (They’ll be happier, trust us). Consider all aspects of moving that a company can provide for you versus you doing it alone. Whether that be renting a truck, having your valuables covered undervaluation protection, liability coverage or another form of insurance, ease of packing large furniture items, and gas/parking costs. Not to mention aches, muscle pains, and any injuries you could sustain from lifting the incorrect way. Hospital bills…now that’s SCARY! Play it safe and hire the professionals.
4. Not properly packaging your delicate items
It’s better to go overboard on bubble wrap than to not have enough. Anything that is delicate or even sentimental, like your fine china, glass dining ware, and collectible ornaments need protection. Don’t be lazy and skip this step, as tempting as it is. Shattered glass is the last thing you want to find in your boxes as you unpack in your new home.
5. Forgetting to label your inventory
So, you’ve packed all of your items and bubble wrapped carefully, now you need to remember where all of your items are! This is a common moving mistake people make – packing without thinking about strategy. Write detailed descriptions on each box you pack. Or you can create a color labeling system if you’d like (example: Kitchen – green, Bedroom 1 – red, Basement – blue). Any system you follow is fine, as long as YOU remember which goes where and what’s in which box.
6. Not packing a first-night survival bag
Pack a separate bag of anything and everything you’ll need for you first few nights in your new home before you unpack. This can include anything you think you’ll need, such as food, a couple changes of clothes, toiletries, flashlight, toilet paper, soap/hand sanitizer, etc. It’s better to have this in an place that’s immediately ready and easy-to-find than unpacking several boxes just to find your toothbrush.
7. Not sufficiently preparing pets and children
A big move is very stressful for your children – both human and the furry kind. For kids, it’s best practice to prepare them ahead of time for the move and take the time to listen to their feelings and concerns. Taking the mystery out of the move can eliminate some of the fear associated with it. For pets, make sure to remember their bedding, food, toys and have them readily accessible when you first arrive. Having familiar items ready for them to settle into the new home is key. Keep their routine as normal as possible to help them transition to avoid the moving mistake of insufficient preparation for those involved in the move.
8. Not hiring movers to help you on the big day
Never underestimate the power of hiring a moving company. Movers can help you pack, load, and move all your precious belongings in the most efficient way. Do your research when hiring a mover, look up their reviews, licenses, and insurance to ensure they’re legitimate. Also, thoroughly understand any contracts, paperwork, estimates, and other extra fees.
Don’t let moving become a scary experience by committing these moving mistakes. At Capital Movers, we can ensure your move is frightfully easy. Contact us today to learn about our moving services and request a FREE quote!