8 Costly Moving Mistakes to Avoid for a Stress-Free Move

When juggling many things at once during a move, people are prone to making a few missteps. While erring is human, moving already tends to be stressful enough. Making minor moving mistakes can contribute to a more pleasant and cost-effective process.

Many things in life are better learned the hard way, such as cooking, calculus, and driving a car. However, learning how to move is not one of those things. The more you know what you should and shouldn’t do before your next move, the better your move will go.

Not doing enough research on a moving company

• Plenty of moving companies exist, but they must be more equal in quality and service. Making the mistake of not thoroughly researching moving companies can lead to various moving mistakes. To find the right professional movers, you must obtain referrals, read reviews, and actively contact several companies to gather information and receive estimates. Opting for the first name on a search engine results page poses significant risks to your belongings and peace of mind. It also doesn’t benefit your wallet, as the only way to ensure a good deal is by conducting price comparisons. Afterward, you can select the company that best suits your situation and budget, avoiding potential moving mistakes.

Moving mistakes of not getting the right insurance

• Federal regulations mandate that interstate movers offer their clients both released and full-value protection. The former establishes a value of 60 cents per pound for your belongings. Still, since many consumers recognize that their items are worth more, the latter allows coverage based on your valuation of the moved goods. However, full-value protection does not mean the moving company will issue you a check for that amount in case of damage. Instead, you will receive a replacement item of equal value, or the company will cover the repair cost. Alternatively, you can review your homeowner’s insurance policy, if you have one, to check if it covers items in transit. Failing to make that decision may leave you with little to no recourse if an unfortunate event occurs.

Moving mistakes of DIYing your move when you need more help

• Professional movers may be costly, but it is almost always worth the investment. Opting for a DIY move, even with the help of friends, will likely be more time-consuming and labor-intensive than hiring experienced movers. Moreover, if you possess items of significant value, doing the move yourself becomes riskier. Instead, be honest with yourself about the scope of your move and how much effort you are willing and capable of putting into it. A DIY approach might be feasible if you have only a few items to move. However, you have a substantial amount of heavy belongings that require transportation. 

Moving mistake of not giving yourself enough time to pack

• Even if you plan to pack your belongings haphazardly into moving boxes, it’s essential to acknowledge that packing takes time. Areas you initially thought would take only ten minutes to pack require closer to an hour. Moreover, certain areas, like the kitchen, are known from the beginning to be more time-consuming. Giving yourself insufficient time to pack will inevitably lead to stress, which could have been avoided with better planning. Instead, be realistic when allocating time for packing. 

Giving yourself too much time

• Starting too early can be equally damaging when it comes to moving. Not only does giving yourself excessive time unnecessarily prolong the moving process, but it also increases the likelihood of packing something you’ll need and having to search through already-packed boxes to find it. Instead, follow the timeline described in the previous tip to prevent these moving mistakes.

Get rid of things

• The holy grail of moving tips emphasizes that there is no better time than during a move to edit down your personal belongings. Having fewer items to move results in a smoother process, and there’s no point in wasting time packing and unpacking things that are no longer wanted or needed. However, people often get caught up in the desire to simplify tasks and throw everything into a box without organizing or decluttering. Unfortunately, this can waste time and increase moving costs due to extra labor and fuel to transport unnecessary items.

Forget to pack a moving essentials bag

• It’s always frustrating that the most crucial items are the hardest to find after a move. To avoid this situation, create a moving essentials bag—a small duffel bag or suitcase where you can store the items you absolutely cannot afford to lose and the ones you know you’ll need on moving day and during the first few days of your new place. Instead, choose a designated bag and fill it with the essentials, including your wallet, keys, important documents, basic toiletries, chargers, items for your pets (ensure kids each have their own essentials bags), medications, and a change of clothes. You’ll undoubtedly be grateful that you took this step when you need these essential items readily available during and after the move.

Moving mistakes of not budgeting correctly

• Remember to include additional costs such as packing supplies and potential days off from work. Your move doesn’t have to be a hassle. Prepare in advance by avoiding common moving mistakes, and you’ll set yourself up for a significantly smoother process. While surprises can still arise, at least you’ll have your basics covered.

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