Avoid These 8 Common Moving Mistakes

Published: July 01, 2024

Moving to a new home is an exciting milestone, but it can also be incredibly stressful without careful planning and foresight. Whether you’re relocating across town or to a different state, avoiding common moving mistakes can significantly ease the process and make your transition smoother. Here’s a detailed look at eight pitfalls to watch out for as you plan your move:

1. Underestimating the Time and Effort of Moving

One of the most frequent errors people make when moving is underestimating the sheer time and effort involved in packing and organizing your belongings. It’s crucial to start planning and packing well in advance to avoid a frantic rush at the last minute. Create a timeline and checklist that outlines tasks such as packing different rooms, scheduling moving services, and changing your address. This proactive approach reduces stress and ensures that nothing important gets overlooked in the chaos of moving day.

2. Not Decluttering Before Packing

Moving presents an excellent opportunity to declutter and streamline your belongings. Many people make the mistake of packing up everything they own, only to realize later that they have too much stuff or items they no longer need. Take the time to sort through each room methodically before you start packing. Donate, sell, or discard items that no longer serve a purpose in your new home. Not only does this lighten your load, but it also saves you money on moving costs.

3. Failing to Gather Necessary Supplies

Another common mistake is not having enough packing supplies. Running out of boxes, tape, or packing materials in the middle of packing can cause unnecessary delays and frustration. Gather all necessary supplies before you start packing. This includes sturdy boxes of various sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and markers for labeling. Having everything on hand ensures a more efficient packing process and helps protect your items during the move.

4. Ignoring Insurance and Valuables

Protecting your belongings during a move should be a top priority. Many people overlook the importance of insurance coverage for their possessions. Before moving day, check with your chosen moving services about their insurance options or consider purchasing additional coverage if necessary. Additionally, pack valuable items such as jewelry, important documents, and sentimental items separately and keep them with you during the move to minimize the risk of loss or damage.

5. Packing Improperly

Improper packing techniques can result in damaged or broken items upon arrival at your new home. Invest in sturdy moving boxes and quality packing materials such as bubble wrap, packing paper, and packing peanuts to protect fragile items. Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to, which will make unpacking much more efficient. Distribute weight evenly among boxes to prevent overloading and potential injuries during lifting.

6. Overlooking Utility Transfers and Setups

Many people forget to arrange the transfer or setup of utilities in their new home. This can lead to arriving at your new place only to find you have no electricity, water, or internet. Contact your utility providers in advance to schedule disconnections at your old place and connections at your new home. This includes electricity, gas, water, internet, cable, and any other essential services. Proper planning ensures you have all necessary services running when you move in.

7. Forgetting to Change Your Address

It’s easy to overlook the simple task of updating your address, but failing to do so can lead to missed mail and important documents. Notify the post office, banks, credit card companies, utilities, subscriptions, and any other relevant parties of your change of address well in advance of your move. This ensures that your mail is forwarded promptly to your new address and that essential services are not interrupted.

8. Not Having a Backup Plan

Despite careful planning, unexpected challenges can arise during a move. It’s essential to have a contingency plan in place to address potential delays, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. Keep important contact numbers, essential documents (such as lease agreements or moving contracts), and a basic toolkit readily accessible. This proactive approach will help you handle any last-minute issues that may arise without adding unnecessary stress to an already hectic day.

By avoiding these common moving mistakes, you can streamline the moving process and reduce stress. Start planning early, declutter before packing, ensure you have all necessary supplies, and protect your belongings with proper packing and insurance. Arrange for utility transfers and setups, update your address promptly, and prepare for unexpected challenges with a backup plan. With careful preparation and organization, your move can be a positive and successful experience.

For help with your move, visit UNITS® Moving and Portable Storage of New Orleans & The Gulf Coast or call (985) 401-8648.