Moving and the Mistakes You Will Want to Avoid
There’s more to moving than throwing your stuff into boxes and renting a truck. Relocating can be like running a small company — it requires careful planning, budgeting and strategizing. If you overlook these factors, you may be setting yourself up for a stressful moving day. Here are five common moving mistakes people make and how you can try to avoid them.
Not Planning Ahead
Whether you are moving down the street or relocating to another state it can be a huge job, and procrastination may be your worst enemy. Even small moves, like packing up an apartment to move just across town, can be nerve-racking and costly if they’re not well planned. If possible, you should consider planning your move months — yes, months — in advance Look into moving companies, start packing and notify your utility companies as soon as you can. You may want to keep a notebook or binder with all your moving-related information. Make sure all of your records are in it. There’s a lot to do, but here’s a good start. Choosing the Right Moving Company
Researching moving companies can be critical. Choosing the wrong moving company may result in a move that is more expensive than originally quoted, being overcharged for packing materials and, worse yet, damaged or lost property. And once all of your belongings are in their truck, it’s usually too late. Don’t always believe what you see on line you may find some great deals, but consider asking for a personal referral from family or friends. You could also check with your real estate agent or the Better Business Bureau to help find moving companies with a solid reputation and years of experience. Find out the exact dimensions of the truck’s cargo space and maybe even stop by the rental company to get an idea of the space you’ll need and whether your desired truck may be enough.
Last-Minute Scheduling
Timing is key. Favorable weather means that certain months are often the most hectic time of year for moving companies. And, remember that moving companies may not be available if you’re moving close to a holiday. Even the day of the week you pick can affect your move. Higher demand means moving companies may charge top dollar for weekend truck rentals and moves. You might also want to consider the time of day you’re moving, too. Depending on the time, you might run into traffic, which could mean more minutes that your belongings will be in transit and potentially a higher rental bill (if you’re paying by the hour).
Moving with Unnecessary Items
Randomly stuffing everything you own into boxes might seem like the simplest way of packing, but it may cause needless stress and expense. For one thing, if you decide to not go through and declutter your belongings you may end up with more boxes and extra weight, so you could end up paying good money to move things you don’t want. Moving gives you a perfect opportunity to declutter. Use your move to help get rid of clothes you don’t wear anymore, books you’ve already read, outdated technology and more.
Insufficient Insurance for Valuables
Before moving, you may want to look at your homeowner’s policy or talk to your insurance agent to make sure you know in what situations your belongings are covered during your move. By making sure you know your coverage, when things are at their most stressful on moving day, you can feel assured that if something does happen, you will be protected. Also, consider calling the moving company to find out the details of their liability policy. Their coverage may either be based on the total weight of your items, the assessed value of your items or the full cost of replacement of your items. With just a little planning, you may be able to make your move just a little less stressful on you and your family.