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Moving is a part of life. In fact, the average American will complete nearly 12 moves in their lifetime. However, despite relocation being a common occurrence, most people end up committing various moving mistakes throughout the process, no matter how many times they’ve moved. Why? Moving is understandably an arduous task, and through its countless stressors, it’s easy to experience some blunders without the proper expertise.
Luckily, if you know what to avoid along the way, you can relocate like a pro. Interested in finding out which relocation mistakes you should steer clear of ahead of your move? Keep reading to discover our top ten!
Mistakes to Avoid While Moving
No move is perfect, but knowing what to expect and how to avoid certain pitfalls can make your move that much easier and stress-free. From putting in the right planning and scheduling to hiring the right moving company, there are lots you can do to ensure your move goes right.
- Waiting Until the Last Minute
One extremely common mistake (that most of us have probably been guilty of at least once or twice) is waiting until the last minute to prepare for a move. Because a very effective way to manage a move is to start as soon as possible, this error is counterintuitive, typically resulting in stress and disorganization.
This can be detrimental to the process as a whole, which is why it is advisable to begin prepping for your relocation once you have officially determined that you will be moving. Being ahead of the game and handling the move in manageable steps allows you to decrease any anxiety and make the task infinitely easier. During such a busy time in your life, these are undoubtedly desired outcomes.
- Hiring an Untrustworthy Moving Company
If you’re opting to invest in the assistance of a professional moving company, be sure to complete thorough research before signing any contracts. Many people make the mistake of hiring movers who are untrustworthy, unreliable, or even scammers.
The best way to combat this issue is to seek as much information as you can prior to working with any moving companies. Check their licenses, confirm that they are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, and read plenty of reviews to gauge the general opinion of a company’s services. You should also expect to receive a thorough in-home estimate and timely communication from any dependable professional movers.
- Choosing to DIY Despite Difficulties
It’s totally possible to complete a move without professional help, and doing it yourself isn’t inherently a bad thing. However, some moves really require the assistance of the experts, and opting out of this service can result in a stressful relocation.
If you have a lot of big, heavy furniture, specialty items, valuables, or fragile belongings, enlisting the help of professional movers can go a long way in making your move more manageable and easier to tackle. Be honest with yourself about the difficulties of your relocation before choosing to DIY.
- Packing Without Decluttering First
Packing can be extremely time-consuming and overwhelming, which is why it’s crucial to declutter before you pack. Why? Decluttering not only results in a neater, tidier home, but it also greatly reduces the amount of items you need to pack and unpack.
You might think you can skip this step without any negative consequences, but you will most likely end up bringing belongings that you don’t even want or need anymore. This results in poor use of time and space, both of which are very valuable during a move.
- Not Using the Proper Protection for Your Items
As you pack your belongings, it’s always important to err on the side of caution and opt to give your items the utmost protection in order to avoid damage.
This means packing your boxes strategically to prevent movement, using padding in the form of bubble wrap, packing paper, or other items such as blankets, and generally handling your boxes with care. If you need some extra assistance, many moving companies provide packing services, which can be especially helpful for more specialized items that require the most attention.
- Neglecting to Label Your Boxes
Organization is key, no matter if you’re moving locally or long distance. To stay organized during a move, you will need to label your boxes thoroughly.
This allows you to easily access the contents when you need them, resulting in a much easier and more efficient packing process. Although it may seem like a simple label of “kitchen” or “living room” will suffice, it’s advisable to provide as much detail as possible when you label. As you unpack in your new home, you’ll certainly be thankful that you added extra convenience in the form of detailed labels!
- Failing to Measure Doorways and Furniture
One of the most frustrating aspects of moving furniture is discovering that your items don’t fit through the doorway. Many people fail to consider this ahead of time and end up dealing with the annoying difficulties of furniture that doesn’t quite fit.
Prior to moving day, take measurements of all the necessary doorways your furniture will go through, and measure your furniture as well. It’s also important to measure the clearance length, especially in tight spaces. This task can save you a lot of headaches on moving day.
- Underestimating the Time Needed for Your Relocation
As you get ready for your move, be realistic about how much time you will need to properly prepare for the relocation. It’s a very common mistake for people to think they require much less time to pack their home, and this results in a lot of stress.
Try to realistically estimate how much time you will spend on packing and other tasks, and create a timeline that allows you to handle the job without rushing or spending long hours at a time packing boxes. You will complete your move most effectively when you can work on these various tasks in small does.
- Moving Without a Budget
Finances are a huge part of any relocation, and moving certainly is not cheap. One of the best things you can do to prepare for your move is to create a budget right away.
This allows you to gain a better understanding of what to expect for the prices of various aspects of your move, as well as gauging how much money you can afford to spend in each category. A budget encourages you to spend more responsibly, and it can also help you to allot yourself an emergency fund for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
- Forgetting an Essentials Bag
Last but certainly not least, remember to pack an essentials bag for moving day. This bag will contain the items you’ll need right away in your new home to prevent you from routing through boxes when you arrive.
Your essentials bag should contain items such as a change of clothes, any necessary medications, toiletries, and anything else you will need at your disposal right away. Having these necessities will be extremely helpful as you complete your move.
Move Like An Expert!
With these pointers, you can transform your move into a stress-free, straightforward experience. Ready to complete your easiest relocation yet? Just follow along with our top ten moving mistakes to avoid, and enlist the help of AAA Flat Rate Moving & Storage!
For over 40 years, we have been moving Sarasota and beyond, providing our Florida Gulf Coast customers with the very best in moving, packing, and storage services. AAA Flat Rate is Sarasota’s #1 moving company, and we don’t take this title lightly.
Our team is constantly working hard to give our customers the most convenient moving solutions. Interested in working with us? Request a quote online today, and discover our affordable services!
