Moving requires careful planning, and with that comes the risk of mistakes. The best way to avoid them is by knowing what to watch out for. Here are the top five moving mistakes we see people make and how to avoid them.
Table of Contents
1. Improper Time Management
The first major mistake you can make when moving is poor time management. Moving is a complex process that requires a well-organized schedule to ensure everything is completed on time. Failing to follow a timeline can quickly lead to chaos, causing delays in moving out, needing to reschedule movers, extending truck rentals, and other costly inconveniences.
Let’s talk about ways to help you avoid this moving mistake and keep your move on track.
Importance of a Moving Plan
Creating and sticking to a detailed moving plan is the easiest way to manage your time effectively. Your plan should cover all stages of the move: before, during, and after. By assigning dates to each task, you can ensure everything fits within your moving timeline.
Here’s an example of key tasks to include in your plan:
- Before your move
- Create a moving budget
- Buy packing and moving supplies
- Pack your Items
- Clean your old home
- Hire movers and rent a moving truck
- During your move
- Clean your new home
- Unpack essential items
- After your move
- Change the locks
- Get to know your new neighborhood
Accounting for Potential Delays
Another key to effective time management during your move is accounting for potential delays. When creating your moving plan, build in extra time to handle unexpected setbacks. There will always be factors beyond your control, such as moving truck delays due to weather or packing supplies arriving late. By giving yourself some buffer time, you can stay on schedule even when things don’t go as planned. This extra flexibility will help you avoid the stress and complications of falling behind.
2. Poor Packing Skills
The second major mistake people often make is poor packing. This can result in buying more boxes than necessary, damaging items due to improper packing, and wasting valuable space in your moving truck.
Here’s how to avoid this moving mistake and pack your boxes and moving truck efficiently.
Packing Moving Boxes
The key to packing boxes efficiently is to maximize the use of space—don’t waste money by leaving boxes half-empty!
When purchasing moving boxes, get a variety of box sizes to suit different items. Here’s a guide:
- Small boxes: Ideal for heavy items like books, canned goods, and tools. These keep the weight manageable.
- Medium boxes: Great for a mix of light and heavy items, but be cautious not to overfill them with heavy things.
- Large boxes: Best for lightweight, bulky items like pillows, linens, and clothing that take up more space but aren’t too heavy.
By using the right boxes for each type of item, you’ll make packing more efficient and avoid overpacking or wasting space.
Packing a Moving Truck
Properly packing your moving truck is crucial to a smooth move. Start by loading the heaviest boxes near the back of the truck, stacking lighter boxes on top as you go higher. Once your boxes are loaded, stack your mattress upright against them to create a wall that will help hold everything in place. Afterward, load your non-boxed bulky items, making sure to pack them securely toward the truck’s door.
The mom’s attic—the small upper section in some moving trucks—can also be used for packing, but only if you’re sure you’ll fill the truck from top to bottom. This area is perfect for fragile items overflowing from boxes or delicate items not boxed, keeping them safe during the move.
By following these steps, you’ll make the most of your truck’s space and ensure a safe, organized move.
Looking to move soon?
Check out UniMovers and save 30-50% on your move as compared with traditional moving!
3. Overpaying for Supplies and Services
The third common moving mistake is overpaying for supplies and services. While creating a moving budget is crucial, sticking to it is even more important. Moving can be costly but overspending on supplies and services wastes money unnecessarily.
Here are some tips to help you avoid overpaying for moving supplies and services:
Free Moving Supplies
A simple way to avoid overpaying for moving supplies is by getting them for free. Check with local businesses to see if they have any cardboard boxes available and ask friends or family if they have boxes or totes you can borrow for your move.
Another cost-saving tip is to use items you already have at home. For example, you don’t need to empty your dressers or China cabinets before moving them. Use these spaces as packing containers by filling them with lightweight items so they remain easy to move. This helps reduce the number of boxes you need, saving you money and space.
Price Checking Companies
Avoiding the mistake of overpaying can also be done by price-checking moving companies. If you’re unsure which company to choose because they offer similar services, price can be a key deciding factor. Websites like MovingHelp allow you to compare estimated quotes from different moving companies. By entering your moving dates, location, and the services you need, you can easily compare rates.
Price-checking gives you options to save money and ensures you get the best deal for the services you need, helping you stay within your moving budget.
4. Falling Victim to Moving Scams
The fourth common moving mistake is falling victim to moving scams. These scams can lead to financial losses or delays during your move. While many types of moving scams exist, most can be avoided with awareness and caution.
Common Moving Scams
Many different moving scams exist, but knowing about them can help you avoid falling victim. Here are some of the most common moving scams to watch out for:
- Paying for your move in full before moving day.
- Hiring a moving company that has a bad website, poor communication, and no insurance.
- Hiring from an unreliable third-party site.
- Companies that only accept cash payments.
5. Not Having Contingency Plans
The fifth common moving mistake is not having a contingency plan. Failing to prepare for the unexpected can lead to significant issues.
Let’s look into how to avoid this moving mistake by setting up a relocation contingency plan.
Home Buying Contingency Plan
Relocation contingency plans serve as a safety net for home buyers, allowing them to back out of a home purchase for various reasons. When drafting a contingency plan, it’s essential to include specific “walk-away” clauses. For example, you might specify that you can withdraw from the deal if your current home doesn’t sell within a designated timeframe or if you experience an unexpected financial setback that affects your ability to afford the new home.
It’s important to note, contingency plans are complex and should be included in your purchase contract. Having a well-thought-out contingency plan can provide peace of mind and protect you from potential financial pitfalls during your move.
Moving Contingency Plan
On the day of your move, you may also run into individual issues. Having back up plans in place can help prevent major issues and overspending. Some things you may want a contingency plan for include:
- Movers: Sometimes movers have to cancel for valid reasons. Other times, you may fall victim to a moving scam. In either scenario, you’ll want to have a back up plan, especially if you can’t move your items yourself. You can search ahead of time for same day moving companies or have some friends on speed dail. You should also explore hybrid DIY options like hiring labor only movers and renting mobile storage or a moving truck.
- Timeline: This is the real kicker to watch out for. It’s probably safest to assume that your original moving timeline will get derailed quickly. If it’s not a lack of rental vehicles during your booked and confirmed reservation window then it’s movers running late or a traffic jam between locations. All that to say, your best bet is to double the amount of time you’ll think you need to complete your move. Also, stagger things like picking up your rental moving truck with when your movers are supposed to arrive to account for delays.
Conclusion
Moving is a complex process that can often lead to various mistakes. The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to be aware of them.
First, understand the importance of time management and how to create an effective moving plan. Next, familiarize yourself with proper packing techniques for both boxes and your moving truck. Additionally, be mindful of how to avoid overpaying for supplies and services. Which also ties into recognizing common moving scams that could lead to unexpected expenses. Finally, establish a relocation contingency plan to ensure you have a safety net in case selling and buying your homes doesn’t go as planned or your moving day has hiccups.
While moving can be complicated, being aware of these common mistakes and how to avoid them can help ease the burden and make your transition smoother.
FAQ
All the moving mistakes mentioned above can lead to negative consequences, but the common thread is they often result in spending more money on your move. For this reason, it’s crucial to avoid all these mistakes to ensure you don’t incur unnecessary costs.
Yes, including a relocation contingency plan in your purchase contract is always beneficial. It provides a safety net in case your home doesn’t sell on time or if you encounter unexpected financial challenges. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Poor packing can lead to overspending in several ways. It may result in broken items that need replacing, causing you to purchase more boxes than necessary, or require a larger moving truck than you need. Additionally, wasted space from inefficient packing can significantly increase your moving costs.
Jessica is a students at the University of Northern Iowa. She is majoring in English Education with a creative writing minor. In her free time she loves to read books of every genre, write short stories, and spend time with friends. In the future she hopes to share her love for reading and writing with her future students.
