1 - Forgetting to Make a Plan

Coming up with a game plan is essential to a successful move. Your first step should be to sit down and scope out your current situation before packing. Write down a list of each room and figure out where you want to start. Working one room at a time will allow you to concentrate more throughout the move.

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Figure out which belongings should be packed into boxes. After this, look at the room's furniture and list the things a mover could help you with on a moving day. Go through the items you want to keep and throw out in each room of your house. Forgetting to plan could lead to large amounts of stress down the road. The best time to start planning is 3-5 weeks before the move so you can figure out how many boxes you may need for packing. 

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2 - Putting Too Much in a Box

Packing is one of the main components of moving from one home to another. Many people will pack as much as possible into a box to make fewer trips. While this sounds like a good idea, your back and shoulders will suffer after hours or days of moving these overstuffed boxes of belongings. If a box is too heavy it could start to break at the seams and your items may get damaged from falling. Heavy items like books, records, files should go into a small box 12x12x16 and nothing bigger.

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Try working with your movers to acquire help with moving and packing boxes. Making extra trips to the car or truck will be a much better overall experience as you won’t deal with pain for the days following. You don’t want boxes to break from too much weight, either. One tip is to pack a heavier item in a smaller box, so it is more compact and easier to carry.

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3 - Unlabeled Boxes

Making a move will require the use of many boxes. You’ll want to make sure you label each box with the room it belongs in and a general idea of what’s inside. The more information you can write on the box, the less stress you’ll deal with during the unpacking phase.

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Using a permanent marker will be your best bet for box labeling. It will stand out and be clear to read and see after the move. It is important to label a box to make things easier for movers. The movers can place boxes in the appropriate rooms when they are labeled. Extra care can be taken if you mark boxes containing more fragile items if it is labeled properly.

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Pro tip - when packing liquids (with lids) draw arrows on the side of the box to indicate not to tip or flip the box. 

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4 - Not Changing Your Address 

Make sure you are in contact with the post office when moving to a new home. Doing this a few weeks before the move is generally a good idea. Having mail sent to your previous residence can be tedious for you and the new owner.

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There are ways to change your address online. Going through this process is relatively easy. You can schedule out the change in advance so don’t wait!

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5 - Not Preparing to Move in or Out of an Apartment

Moving in or out of an apartment can be strenuous if you are moving into a higher floor level. You’ll want to notify the leasing office of the day you’re moving so the elevator can be reserved. You should also cancel utilities that you’re using in the apartment, such as the internet.

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You’ll want to find out where the loading dock is located for the apartment you’re moving in or out of. Figuring out how many movers you’ll need is based on the distance of your apartment room from the truck. If there are long walks to the elevator or loading dock, it is recommended that you have at least 3 movers to help. 

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6 - You Decide to Keep Everything You Own

Everyone wants to keep the things that have a special meaning to them. If you have a lot of belongings, it is crucial to consider the items that might not have to come with you to a new home. If you have things that you haven’t used for a long time you may want to consider donating them or just getting rid of them.

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Cluttering up your new home is going to make the unpacking process much more stressful. Something you could consider doing is setting up three piles in each room. The piles could be for things you want to keep, things you might keep, and things you can get rid of. This goes hand in hand with packing as you’ll want to start going through things ahead of time to ensure you aren’t rushing on a moving day.

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7 - Moving Without a Mover

Finding a new home is a significant investment for many people. You may consider moving your belongings without the use of movers to try and save money. While this seems like a good idea, you’ll regret not using a mover. Movers can come into your home and safely move your belongings and large furniture out of the home and into a truck.

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A reduction in damage to personal items will also result from this process. When moving out of an apartment you are responsible for damage in the common areas. Professional movers will be liable for this when hired. Professional movers are experienced in how to pack items carefully and safely transporting them from one home to another. Some moving companies may even store items for you in a warehouse. 

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Schedule a Move Today 

After going through all of these steps, you’ll want to work with a moving company that has high customer reviews, a friendly staff, and great prices. When you’re ready to make that move, make sure you find a buddy. Book a move with Moving Buddy today!