No matter how neat and tidy you consider yourself, there’s one event that can cause even the best of us to unravel: moving. One survey even found that 45% of Americans consider their move to be the most stressful event in their entire lives!
Given how much you’ll have to juggle, packing for moves isn’t a task for the faint of heart. With so many moving parts, there’s a lot that could go wrong—and some moving mistakes can really ruin the whole experience.
Want to make sure that your big day goes smoothly? Take a look at some of the most common moving mistakes we see homeowners make during their moves.
1. Messing Up Your Moving Timeline
There’s nothing worse than realizing you haven’t left yourself enough time to get all of your belongings packed before the big day—except maybe starting too early and having to live in boxes!
It can be hard to figure out how much time packing your belongings will take, but we often advise packing according to the size of your household. A one-bedroom home or apartment will take around three days to pack, two bedrooms will take about four, and three bedrooms can take five days or more. If you have heavy or fragile items, or if you have large collections, add some extra time.
2. Forgetting to Label and Organize Your Boxes
It’s easy to forget, during the initial chaos of moving, that you’ll have to unpack everything when you’re done. Do yourself a favor and streamline the unpacking process by organizing your boxes on the front end.
Don’t just label your moving boxes and bags according to the room they’re going in! Depending on your preferences, there are plenty of smart ways to organize. You may want to add stickers or tape to color-code boxes by room, for example, or write down the order in which you want to unpack your things.
If you can, grouping similar boxes together can make unloading a little easier as well.
As an extra bonus tip, consider setting aside some time to create a household inventory. This can help you make sure everything has arrived at your new house. It can even be a great resource even once you’re done moving, especially in the case of home theft or a natural disaster.
3. Doing the Move Yourself
Unless your belongings can fit into a few boxes, it’s always a good idea to get help when you move.
For smaller moves, you may be able to get by with help from a few friends.
On the other hand, opting for professional help may stretch your home move budget, but it ensures that your items get careful and professional treatment during the loading, moving, and unloading process. If you have delicate, heavy, or valuable items, doing the move alone or with friends might be a recipe for disaster! Professional movers can also save you valuable time, which can be crucial if your moving timeline is short.
Be honest with yourself about how much time, effort, and care your move will take, and decide whether or not you need expert help.
4. Not Researching Your Moving Company
Not all movers are created equal. Hiring a moving service might feel like a tiny aspect of your huge move, but finding the right team can help smooth your way forward—and help you avoid costly issues down the line.
Make sure you’re working with an experienced, reputable, licensed, and insured moving company with great online reviews. You should also check to be sure that their estimate—which should always be free, with no obligation—meets your budget. Don’t forget to partner with someone who has experience in the specific services you need, like long-distance moves or antique moving.
5. Failing to Measure for Clearance
If your move is like most, you’ll be toting around some bulky furniture and other items. To that end, make sure to measure the doorways and hallways of your new home! This can keep you from trying to squeeze your furniture through areas that are too small, which can result in damage and scuff marks.
If you don’t have access to your new home, or if it’s in another part of the state, you may be able to ask your real estate agent to get their measurements to you.
6. Forgetting to Single Out the Essentials
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your new home, only to find that you have to hunt through boxes upon boxes to find the pillow you can’t sleep without.
Creating a “first-night box” for each member of your household is a great way to make sure the transition from home to home is seamless. Make sure to pack toiletries, chargers, power banks, and other necessities.
You’ll also want to create an “essentials” box for the kitchen and bathroom. Include things like cutlery, plates, mugs, and coffee for the kitchen, as well as soap, towels, and shampoo for the bathroom.
7. Not Paying Attention to Kids and Pets
Moving is hard on both young children and any pets in your household. New schedules and a new environment can be a lot to take in all at once.
That’s why we recommend prioritizing your children’s and pet’s spaces as soon as you arrive in your new home to help them feel more comfortable in their new space.
For kids, make sure to set up their mattress, favorite blankets, and any toys they like for the first night. With pets, focus on setting up any pet bedding and litter boxes they’ll need for the first night, and be prepared with plenty of treats!
Avoid These Common Moving Mistakes
Whether you’re moving across the city or across the state, avoiding the common moving mistakes above can help make your big day a success.
As you juggle all of the tasks you need to keep track of, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for help! Our veteran movers have a wealth of experience helping homeowners throughout North Texas tackle their big day, and we’re happy to offer our high-quality moving services to you. To learn more, contact us today or reach out for a free estimate.
