Moving house is a significant milestone, often filled with excitement, anticipation, and a fair amount of stress. Whether you’re relocating across town or to a new city, the process can be overwhelming without proper planning. Unfortunately, many people make common mistakes that add unnecessary challenges to their move. To help you avoid these pitfalls, here are the top mistakes to avoid when moving house and how to tackle them effectively.
- Procrastinating Packing
Why It’s a Problem:
Leaving packing until the last minute is one of the biggest mistakes people make when moving. Procrastination leads to rushed decisions, disorganized packing, and increased stress as moving day approaches.
How to Avoid It:
Start packing as early as possible. Begin with non-essential items like seasonal clothing, books, and decorations. Create a schedule that breaks the process into manageable tasks to ensure steady progress. Early packing gives you time to sort through your belongings and properly organize everything.
- Failing to Declutter
Why It’s a Problem:
Taking unnecessary items to your new home increases the cost of moving and creates clutter in your new space. Many people pack items they no longer need or use, only to regret it later.
How to Avoid It:
Declutter before you pack. Go room by room and sort your items into categories: keep, donate, sell, or discard. Be honest about what you need and let go of things that no longer serve you. Decluttering lightens your load and helps you start fresh in your new home.
- Not Creating a Packing Plan
Why It’s a Problem:
Without a plan, packing can quickly become chaotic. You may end up mixing items from different rooms, misplacing essentials, or struggling to find things after the move.
How to Avoid It:
Develop a packing strategy. Pack one room at a time, labelling each box with its contents and destination room. Use a color-coding system or detailed inventory to stay organized. Having a clear plan ensures that unpacking is just as smooth as packing.
- Underestimating Time and Effort
Why It’s a Problem:
Many people underestimate how long it takes to pack, clean, and coordinate logistics for a move. This oversight can lead to last-minute panic and potential delays.
How to Avoid It:
Allocate more time than you think you’ll need. Start early and pace yourself. Factor in additional time for unexpected challenges, such as finding lost items or dealing with packing fragile belongings. Planning for extra time reduces stress and helps you stay on schedule.
- Overpacking Boxes
Why It’s a Problem:
Filling boxes to their maximum capacity can make them too heavy to lift safely, increasing the risk of injuries or damaged items.
How to Avoid It:
Keep boxes at a manageable weight, ideally under 50 pounds. Distribute weight evenly by placing heavy items at the bottom and lighter items on top. Use smaller boxes for heavy items like books and larger boxes for lighter items like linens.
- Forgetting to Label Boxes
Why It’s a Problem:
Unlabelled boxes create confusion during unpacking. You’ll waste time searching for specific items and may inadvertently damage fragile belongings.
How to Avoid It:
Label each box clearly with its contents and destination room. Use bold markers and include special instructions like “Fragile” or “This Side Up” when necessary. A detailed labelling system simplifies unpacking and minimizes mistakes.
- Ignoring Utility Transfers and Address Changes
Why It’s a Problem:
Failing to transfer utilities or update your address can lead to service interruptions, missed mail, and unnecessary inconvenience.
How to Avoid It:
Arrange for utility transfers well in advance. Schedule shut-off and activation dates for electricity, water, internet, and gas to coincide with your move. Notify important contacts and services of your address change, including:
- Banks and credit card companies.
- Insurance providers.
- Post office (submit a mail forwarding request).
- Subscription services.
- Moving During Peak Times Without Preparation
Why It’s a Problem:
Moving during busy seasons or weekends can mean higher costs, limited availability of movers, and increased traffic delays.
How to Avoid It:
If possible, schedule your move during off-peak times, such as weekdays or mid-month. Book movers or rental trucks well in advance to secure your preferred date. Planning ahead can save you money and reduce stress.
- Overlooking Insurance for Your Belongings
Why It’s a Problem:
Accidents can happen during a move. Without proper insurance, you could end up paying for damaged or lost items out of pocket.
How to Avoid It:
Check your existing homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to see if it covers your belongings during a move. If not, consider purchasing additional coverage through your moving company or a third-party insurer. Document valuable items with photos for added security.
- Not Researching Moving Companies
Why It’s a Problem:
Choosing an unreliable moving company can lead to delays, damaged items, or unexpected costs.
How to Avoid It:
Research moving companies thoroughly. Read reviews, ask for recommendations, and get quotes from multiple providers. Ensure the company is licensed and insured. Avoid companies with unusually low prices, as they may compromise on quality.
- Forgetting to Pack an Essentials Box
Why It’s a Problem:
Arriving at your new home without immediate access to essentials can be frustrating. You may waste time unpacking multiple boxes to find basic items.
How to Avoid It:
Pack a box with essentials you’ll need for the first few days, such as:
- Toiletries and medications.
- Basic kitchen supplies (plates, utensils, snacks).
- A change of clothes and bedding.
- Important documents and chargers.
Keep this box with you during the move to ensure easy access.
- Skipping a Final Walkthrough
Why It’s a Problem:
Failing to do a final walkthrough of your old home can result in forgotten items or overlooked tasks like turning off utilities.
How to Avoid It:
Before leaving, inspect every room, closet, and storage area to ensure nothing is left behind. Double-check that windows are closed, lights are off, and keys are returned if necessary. A thorough walkthrough ensures a smooth departure.
