Moving house can be a complicated process. We know that with all the efforts that go into finding a new place to live, selling your current home or prepping to return your rental so you get back your full security deposit it’s easy to overlook some important factors that will aid you in planning a stress free move. Worry none, to keep you on the right course, we’ve put together a list of the most common moving mistakes, along with a little advice on how to avoid making them.
Mistake No. 1: Not giving yourself enough time
Time is an incredibly valuable resource during a move. That’s true not only because you need plenty of it to coordinate everything properly, but also because it can be difficult to add more time to the clock once it starts ticking. You don’t want to try to find movers and packers just days before you need to be out of your old home, just like you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to finalize paperwork.
What’s the solution? Plan ahead, budget your time and make a schedule. To start your move, create or use a relocation checklist or moving guide. To make sure you cover all your bases, use our handy, tips and tricks checklist as a reference point. The checklist will help you plan your move such as booking your moving company earlier, packing and organizing your items on time, and ensuring that you don’t leave anything behind.
Mistake No. 2: Not setting a budget
Moving yourself or hiring movers? Either way it costs money. The overall price tag can quickly go up if you don’t put in enough work ahead of time. Whether it’s comparing the costs of different moving companies or finding the most effective mortgage rate. A lack of budget also means you’ll have a harder time planning your finances in the coming months and increases the chances of encountering unpleasant surprises.
What’s the solution? Make sure that you take into account things like vehicles, supplies, gasoline and meals on the road if you’re moving move than a few miles. After you’ve done this, it’s only a matter of doing your research. After you have your budget set, go ahead, and pad that number by a couple of hundred dollars at the very least. This will give you a buffer just in case something happens that you weren’t planning on.
Mistake No. 3: Not knowing how to move efficiently
With all the other work you’ll do in the weeks and months before your move, you may not realize the importance of cleaning up and getting rid of clutter. When you avoid selling, donating and otherwise disposing of items you no longer need/use, you increase your moving costs and miss opportunities to potentially earn some extra cash and possibly a few write-offs for your taxes.
What’s the solution? Keep this in mind: “the more you have to move, the more it will cost to move it”. It is recommended that you prepare early by going through things like books, clothes, kitchen tools, worn out furniture, that junk drawer etc. Make piles for what you can potentially sell, donate/give away or toss, then follow through with getting rid of each pile. Don’t spend cash moving items you know you don’t use. Decluttering before a move is one of the most efficient ways to save money on moving expenses.
Mistake No. 4: Not finding the right movers and packers
Searching for a moving company is one of the most challenging and crucial tasks of your moving journey. The company you hire can make all the difference from providing you with a pleasant moving experience to a making it a complete nightmare. Waiting to find movers last minute will leave you with slim pickings. Hiring the cheapest movers may end up costing more in the long run.
What’s the solution? Search online and ask for references to get the best moving company. Compile a list of movers that meet your specific requirements. Read reviews and do sufficient research to learn more about the movers that you had short-listed. Make sure that they are licensed and insured. Seek guidance from your friends and family members who have recently relocated to learn about their experience with their moving company. Always get multiple quotes to compare before making a decision.
Start today with a free moving quote from Pack & Go Movers!
