Moving is a daunting task and for the majority of us, it’s not something we have to do often. However, inexperience brings opportunities for mistakes, and when you’re uprooting your life, that’s the last thing you want.
Fortunately, at FlatRate, we tend to think of ourselves as moving experts. And it’s with this expertise that we’ve created this list of major moving missteps (and how to avoid them!).
Major Moving Misstep #1: Waiting Until the Last Minute
We get it, moving is stressful and procrastination is easy but trust us, resist the temptation! Your move will go so much smoother if you begin the process early on. Start by packing rooms and items you don’t use as much: fancy silverware, decorations, etc.
If you need to hire professional movers or book a moving truck, make sure to do so well in advance to ensure you can move on your timeline, not theirs.
Major Moving Misstep #2: You Don’t Declutter Before You Move
Moving is an arduous process and you don’t want to move more than you need to. So before, during, and after you pack, make sure to declutter and get rid of any items you don’t want or need cluttering up your new place. For more tips on how to declutter before you move, check out this post from the FlatRate Blog!
Major Moving Misstep #3: You Try to Package Fragile Items Yourself (or You’re Stingy with the Packing Materials)
Packing breakables is one of the most difficult tasks when moving. Wine glasses, precious vases, mugs, and more and all prone to breaking during transport. The most foolproof way to avoid this is to call in the pros. They’ll have everything you need and the expertise to make sure your fragile items come out unscathed. However, if you insist on going it alone: don’t skimp on the bubble wrap. Make sure your breakables are thoroughly wrapped and cushioned before placing them in the box. You really can’t go overboard on it and trust us, you’re better safe than sorry.
Major Moving Misstep #4: You’ve Forgotten to Update Your Address
No one wants to be in a situation where they realize they’ve been paying their utility bills for a place they no longer live in (or even worse, not paying their bills at all). To avoid the inevitable panic, make sure you take the time to at least update your address with the local post office (their online tool makes forwarding your mail a breeze!).
For a more comprehensive list of all the places, you’ll need to change your address when you move, check out our blog.
Major Moving Misstep #5: You Can’t Find the Things You Need
You’ve gotten to your new place and suddenly, you realize you can’t find your toothbrush, medication, or even your trusty box opener. Prevent the panic by packing a bag of items you’ll need for the first few nights: toiletries, a few changes of clothes, linens, and so forth. You’ll be glad you did.
Major Moving Misstep #6: You Have No Idea What’s in Your Boxes
You’ve packed up your things, unloaded your boxes, and now it’s time to unpack. But how do you know which box goes where? And where is that box with the towels?
Save yourself from searching through your boxes (or wracking your memory) by labeling each box on each side. For extra clarity, snap a photo of the contents of each box before taping it shut – you can use it as a reference later on.
Major Moving Misstep #7: Trying to Save Money by Skimping on the Services
It might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes it saves spending. When you try to save a few dollars by passing up on the professionals, you can end up with a much larger (and more expensive) problem.
Professional movers know how to pack and move your items safely and without damage. Especially when it comes to heavy furniture or electronics, any misstep can turn into a costly, dangerous mistake.
Furthermore, most professional moving companies are insured so you can rest easy.
Finally, don’t just go with the cheapest option. Make sure you do your research before committing to your movers. Moving companies (like FlatRate) are licensed and have plenty of available references and reviews.
In the long run, making sure your possessions are in good hands is well worth the cost.