For anyone who has ever attempted a do-it-yourself move, you know that there is a lot of room for error. Self-moving is often more trouble than it’s worth. To save you the headache, we’ve compiled a list of the nine biggest mistakes people make when moving — and how to avoid them!
1. Hiring an inexperienced mover
When moving homes, hiring an inexperienced mover can be a risky endeavor. Although it might seem financially beneficial to use the cheaper option, using someone unfamiliar with moving furniture and other items can cost you missed deadlines, damaged items, and problems along the way.
If you’re considering hiring a mover for your next move, ask plenty of questions and keep accurate records so that if something goes wrong during the process, appropriate options can be explored to help rectify any issues.
Additionally, plan and ensure all parties involved have contingency plans in case unexpected hurdles arise. A small investment of time now can save plenty of headaches later.
2. Not getting an in-person estimate
Don’t make the mistake of hiring movers without getting an in-person estimate first. A moving company, especially an inexperienced one, will often provide you with tentative estimates based on competitor rates and a rough idea of the complexities of the move.
However, their rates may greatly vary once the actual relocation or move is complete, and you may run the risk of overpaying for services which you could’ve easily taken care of yourself.
To avoid this, it’s essential to get an in-person estimate from the moving company to find out their actual rates and take care of any unforeseen situations beforehand.
3. Underestimating the cost of your move
Moving can be a stressful process, and one thing that people often underestimate is the cost. Whether misjudging the number of boxes needed or forgetting to factor in packing supplies, moving costs always seem to add up quickly.
The trick is to plan and estimate how much you’ll need for your move ahead of time. Taking the time to research average costs in the area where you’re moving and calculate any additional expenses can help you avoid surprises and save money in the long run.
4. Packing the wrong way
A move is stressful in itself, you don’t need the added hassle of improper packing to add to your woes.
Packing stuff inadequately or using the wrong packing material can cause your lots of trouble down the line, and may even lead to damage to your belongings.
To avoid this, it’s essential to ensure you’re packing stuff the right way; delicate items with care and extra protective paraphernalia, artwork the way they’re supposed to, wine collections in proper wine storage boxes, important documents first and in waterproof shielding, and so on.
Alternatively, you can hire moving experts in your area to help you pack your belongings efficiently and ensure no damage is done during the move.
5. Forgetting to change your address
Changing addresses can be a hassle, but forgetting to update your new address with the postal service after your move could spell disaster.
The delivery of important mail—from credit card statements to tax documents—could be delayed and lost in the shuffle.
Because many businesses require a valid physical mailing address for registration and communication purposes, forgetting to update your address may result in failed payments and late fees.
To avoid this, ensure you update your current address in all of your important correspondence, as well as the postal services office. Intimate the DMV, your employer, and any other commercial establishment you deal with of the change in your address.
6. Not labeling your boxes properly
Poorly labeled boxes can lead to considerable, time-consuming problems regarding relocation or storage. Considering all the hours spent packing and unpacking, taking a few extra minutes to label each box accurately is well worth the effort.
Even simple tags like “kitchen items” can greatly reduce the difficulty of setting up your new home or office. The more descriptive you make your labels, the easier it’ll be to prevent search gridlock when you’re looking for a specific set of items in storage.
Identifying fragile items is especially important as they require special handling and will help ensure they aren’t subjected to unexpected stresses in transit. Simply put, ensuring that all your items are properly labeled before being placed into containers can save you a serious headache later.
Moving is a big endeavor; many things can go wrong if you don’t plan. To avoid potential problems, it’s important to research your options and choose a reputable mover. Be sure to get an in-home estimate, so you know what to expect in terms of cost. And don’t forget the small details like changing your address and labeling your boxes to help make your move easier and stress-free!
About Interest Moving & Storage
InterWest Moving and Storage in Idaho, Montana, Utah & Wyoming can assist you with relocation services, from packing to unloading. An agent of Atlas Van Lines, we have been delivering high-quality transportation services to customers since 1956. Apart from residential packing and moving, we are corporate moving specialists and provide domestic and international corporate relocation services. You can call our toll-free (800) 877-1091 to book our assistance and get a free quote.
