Moving home can be among the most stressful and complex projects with which you will ever have to deal. It is a proven fact that nearly a third of all people who relocate from one property to another suffer to a certain degree of post-removal blues which is not something you’d wish for yourself or the members of your family, right? In order to avoid such an unpleasant turn of events, there are several things that you can do. Hands down the best strategy, however, would be to not make the common mistakes people with limited experience in moving make – in this way you are going to ensure that the process goes smoothly and without hiccups and you will be able to enjoy the results of your hard work without compromises. So, let’s have a look at the following mistakes:
- Taking too long to get down to business
- Cutting corners
- Taking on the wrong approach for the job
- Not seeking assistance
- Using poor-quality packing materials
- Rushing to the finish line
- Not packing an essentials box
It’s time to take a closer look at each of these rather common mistakes which many people do when they plan a relocation or pack for one.
Mistake #1: Taking too long to get down to business
Even if you think that you have enough time to tackle all challenges the upcoming removal poses to you, chances are that you do not. Unless you are in for real trouble, stop procrastinating and deal with at least the basics of the planning and preparation of your relocation a couple of months prior to the big date:
- Making a schedule
- Figuring out which of your possessions you will be taking with you
- Doing a house clearance
- Arranging paperwork/informing council, employer and other relevant parties about your change of address
- Finding a moving firm
Mistake #2: Trying to cut corners
Saving money is a good thing but it should not come at the expense of the safety of your goods during transportation or your comfort and health throughout the duration of the moving day. So, no matter how tempted you are to give up on some of the essentials of packing and moving – such as quality packing supplies, or full-scale man and van service – just don’t. You will be saving a lot more trouble by investing in top-notch everything than the money you will spend in the process. If something goes wrong- and it most likely will if you cut corners – you will have to part with a lot more cash trying to fix it.
Mistake #3: Approaching the job in the wrong way
Confidence is another thing that is generally good but it can bite your head off during relocation. You might think that you know all about domestic relocations but even if you have professional experience in the field, be certain that you still have a lot more to learn. Do not be ashamed to consult with your movers on certain aspects of the project so that you can rest assured you are properly covered.
Another mistake in the approach to the job people often make is that they pack everything they have at their current address and try to move it to the new property. Ask yourself how many of the items you have listed for packing – be it clothes, books, appliances or furniture – you are actually going to use, or need for that matter. Downsizing the volume of goods to transport will save you a lot of hassle and stress in case you are moving to a smaller property (not to mention money) and it will have a positive impact on your new domestic life as well.
Mistake #4: Not asking for help
Having a reliable removal contractor to provide a dependable South-West London man with van will be pretty valuable in terms of guaranteeing the safety of your goods on the road, and the reduced amounts of stress you will be going through. Do not be one of those people who think they can deal with everything on their own and miss on the chance of booking a reliable moving service in due time.
Mistake #5: Underperforming when it comes to supply of materials
Many people purchase too few packing supplies such as removal boxes, wrapping paper, bubble wrap, labels, crates, etc. This results in running out of a vital material when it is already too late to get more. Avoiding this is easy – make a rough estimate of the number of things that you will need and then purchase 10% more of everything. Even if you are left with a few boxes to spare, you will find a use for them later – or sell them online.
Table: The dos of moving house
| Planning | Create a moving schedule; get rid of unnecessary items; get the paperwork going |
| Packing | Get supplies; dismantle furniture; label boxes |
| Getting help | Book a man and van service; ask friends and family for assistance; |
| Other logistics | Inform your local council, employers and friends’ circle about your change of address; find a new school for the children and a new GP for the family, etc. |
Mistake #6: Trying to get everything done in one day
Unless it is really an emergency and you need to move right away, you should not, under any circumstances, attempt to finish more than one major task on your moving schedule in just one day. Even when you pack, it is recommended that you work a room at a time, a day at a time. If you have left enough time for everything, this approach will help you reduce the stress and go through the otherwise pretty strenuous process of moving with a smile on your face.
Mistake #7: Forgetting the essentials
One of the most unpleasant things that can happen to you when you arrive at your new place and still have not unpacked the mountain of boxes is to find out that you do not have easy access to a change of clothes, a towel or even toothbrush. Avoid this by packing a box/bag of essentials that goes separately from the bulk of your possessions and include the aforementioned items along with any medicine you might need, some canned food, documents, etc. Packing the essentials is a very simple thing to do, yet you will be surprised how many people forget about it, and logically suffer because of this misstep. Save yourself a lot of trouble by highlighting it on your schedule to avoid confusion, stress and strain.
Video on How to avoid the most common moving mistakes
