Most people in the United States move at least 11 times in their lives. That’s 11 times they have to pack everything they own and relocate it to a new property. Knowing how stressful the moving process can be, that’s far more often than most people would prefer to move. However, there are many ways to make relocating a more straightforward process, and it involves avoiding these common moving mistakes:
Calling in the Professionals
Your family and friends are likely more than happy to step in and help you move to your new home. However, it can make more sense to call in the professionals. Professional moving companies provide access to a portable container, a moving truck, and trained employees. They ensure the moving process is faster and more organized for peace of mind. Relying on friends and family costs less money but can be fraught with challenges and frustrations. They can be at risk of injury from lifting heavy items, and you may need to make multiple trips with smaller vehicles and trailers, which takes more time.
Labeling the Boxes
One small mistake while packing can add hours to the unpacking process at the other end: not labeling the boxes. While you might think you’ll remember which boxes go in which room based on their size, color, or other attributes, that’s unlikely to be the case. While packing, use a permanent marker to label the top of the box and one or two sides. If you will be reusing the boxes in the future, write over the packaging tape so it can be removed after each move.
Forwarding their Mail
In the chaos of packing up all your possessions and ensuring everyone in your family is ready for the move, it’s easy to let important tasks like not forwarding your mail fall by the wayside. Unfortunately, such a mistake is both common and often costly. If you don’t receive your utility bills or other important documents, you may not take the necessary actions and be penalized. As moving day edges nearer, set a reminder to forward your mail to your new address and change your address on any crucial documents.
Decluttering Before the Move
The more possessions you have, the more you need to pack, and the larger the moving truck or storage container you need once moving day arrives. Many people mistakenly avoid decluttering when they move because they plan to do it once they arrive at their new home. However, the stress of the move and the desire to unpack often mean this task isn’t completed once they’re all settled in, either. In the days or weeks before the move, set time aside to declutter each room in the house. This process is even more critical if you’ll be downsizing to a smaller home. Create four piles: keep, donate, throw away, and sell. You may be surprised by how less stressful packing can be when you don’t have as many possessions.
Researching Moving Companies
If you always intended to use a moving company, you might have simply typed ‘moving company’ and your location into a search engine and picked the first one that popped up. However, not researching the company you book may have negative consequences. Some companies are known for canceling at the last minute, not carrying insurance, and neglecting maintenance, which results in property damage. Always read reviews and ask loved ones for recommendations before making your decision.
Packing an Essentials Box
After a long day of moving house, the last thing you feel like doing is rifling through every single box, looking for your toothbrush, bed sheets, and coffee machine. That’s what can happen if you don’t pack an essentials box; you can’t find the basics needed for a comfortable start in your new home. As you near the end of your packing process, pack a bag or box that you’ll carry with you in your vehicle, not the moving truck. At a minimum, ensure it has these essentials:
- Medication
- Pet food and accessories
- Bedding for each bed
- Toiletries and hygiene products
- Important documents
- A change of clothes
- Wallets and money
- Electronic devices
- Charging cables
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Snacks
- Basic tools
Moving house causes a great deal of stress for many people, but it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you think. Avoid these common mistakes for a more streamlined relocation process.
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