Do you want your move to be a stressful disaster? We’ve helped hundreds of people relocate their lives, and we’ve seen lots of moving mistakes!
Here are the top five mistakes we see people make when moving:
1 – Not decluttering first
The first thing we recommend to anyone considering moving soon is to declutter. Decluttering is the easiest way to begin organizing your belongings and getting rid of anything you don’t intend on using or keeping.
If you don’t declutter first, it will take much longer as you likely spend more time going down “memory lane” or trying to decide what to keep. Knowing that you’re just packing everything in the room is much faster and a more efficient use of your time (or someone else’s if you’re heaving packing help). Besides who needs to carry around those unpacked boxes of stuff we “might” look at or use one day?
2 – Using dirty boxes
Always use clean boxes! You may be tempted to use produce boxes from the grocery store or used boxes from Facebook Marketplace, which could make your belongings dirty or even worse bug infested! You want to ensure that everything you bring into your clean, new home isn’t bringing anything else in.
If you use used boxes, that’s fine. Just ensure they haven’t been used for more than 3-4 moves (max) and that they are clean of debris and dirt before using them. Check that they still have good structural integrity without any holes or rips.
3 – Underestimating packing time
Nine times out of ten, it will take you longer to pack than expected. You don’t want to still be packing up your closet as the new homeowners are pulling up with their moving truck. Whatever time you think it will take double or triple that. If you know you’re moving in 30 days, start packing things you won’t need (like seasonal wardrobes) right away. Leave only the necessary items for the last day (perishable food and your overnight items)
Ask yourself if you really need the item between now and your moving date. If not, or you can do without, pack as soon as possible.
4 – Booking movers too late
If you’re hiring a moving company (which we highly recommend), book them as soon as you have move-out and move-in dates. They book up quickly during peak times (popular moving seasons, weekends, and beginning/end of months). Book them as soon as possible if you want your choice of moving companies.
Bonus tip: You can engage with a moving company before you decide to move. You can get estimates from multiple companies early, so you know your budget and options when it’s time to book. Then you’re not wasting time getting quotes when you could be reserving your dates.
5. Forgetting to reserve the elevator
Moving into a shared building or apartment? Be sure to reserve the elevator. It’s common courtesy and likely included in the building bylaws. Book it as early as possible in case multiple moves happen around the same time.
Do you have an upcoming move? Want help to avoid these top five (and other) moving mistakes? Talk to Your Moving Concierge today. We can help make your next move smooth and stress-free.