7 Common Relocation Mistakes You Should Not Make

Posted on 04/04/2016

Moving is one of those things that take stress to a whole new level. First-time movers or people who don’t have a lot of experience can easily make the false assumption that house removals are easy. In reality, there are numerous things that can go wrong. Don’t worry. It’s not impossible to avoid the mishaps and make the process run smoothly, if you keep in mind a few things. The best strategy is to learn from other people’s mistakes to ensure that you are asking the right questions and making the right decisions. Here are some of the most common pitfalls, when moving to a new place.

1. Not Doing a Research
When preparing for the move, many people choose to hire professionals to help with the tough job. While looking up companies online, don’t forget to check the site carefully, including the reviews. Unfortunately, talking with an agent on the phone and setting up a moving date doesn’t guarantee that the moving company is reputable and reliable. You will be surprised to find that the moving industry is more scam-ridden than many other sectors. From adding clauses to an already signed contract to holding your belongings “hostages” until you agree to pay some trumped-up extra costs, unreliable movers can turn your moving experience into a nightmare. You can avoid that by carefully reading the reviews and checking the references. Pick local companies or ask friends and family to recommend a service provider.

2. Not Getting Professional Help
On the flip side, you should not underestimate the amount of time and effort that professional services can spare you. Moving may not seem like a tough job, before you attempt to pick up your wardrobe and take it down the stairs. Manoeuvring furniture and lifting boxes can potentially result in injuries or inadvertent damages to your belongings.

3. Not Insuring Your Valuables
The move probably draught your finances and you don’t want to spend more on insurance. However, if you are planning to move valuable items such as art pieces or antique furniture, you might like to consider this option. There are different types of insurance you can get - from full coverage to insuring your belongings only during the transportation period. Anything can happen during the move, so it’s better to be prepared for any scenario.

4. Moving During Bad Weather or Rush Hour
Relocation is hard even without the unbearable road traffic or dreadful weather. Planning is a key aspect of the moving process. It goes beyond saying that you should avoid relocating during rush hour. As for the weather, it is true that this is not entirely in your control, but you can pay attention to the forecasts when selecting a date for the move.

5. Leaving Everything for the Last Moment
When moving to a new place, there is a good chance that something might go wrong along the way. Ensure plenty of time between the move-in and move-out date. The last thing you want is to do your move in a rush or not have everything done before the end of your tenancy contract. Leave a time window for unexpected events or unplanned tasks.

6. Putting Too Many Heavy Items in One Place
This one is a no-brainer, but it bears repeating. When packing your boxes, spread the weight evenly. In this way you will minimize the chance of dropping a box and damaging your belongings or injuring yourself.

7. Moving Everything You Own
The more stuff you need to move, the more expensive the service is. Make an inventory of your possessions and decide what’s worth keeping and what you don’t need at your new place. It is cheaper and less stressful to move with fewer things. You can even make money from it by selling your old belongings online. This is a great opportunity to de-clutter and start clean at your new place.