Leave The Moving Stress Behind
If you’re a first-time buyer, it may surprise you to know that moving house is the most stressful life event you’ll experience. It ranks higher than breakups, divorce and having children.
But with lots of planning, the anxiety of moving to a new home can be dramatically reduced. From how to pack to tips for saving money, read on to discover the ten most common moving mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Avoid Scammers
The most common mistake you can make when moving to a new house is to get caught in a scam. Hiring an unlicensed mover can have devastating effects, with thieves posing as professional movers to steal your money and belongings.
Avoid falling victim by keeping an eye out for red flags. Signs that you might be interacting with one of the many fake moving services include if they ask you for a large deposit or routinely do business under new names.
You should use common sense when looking through moving companies and always check their reliability by reading reviews online.
Advantages of Hiring a Professional Mover
Hiring professionals for moving can be a great decision for a stress-free and efficient moving experience. Professional movers have the expertise and experience to handle all aspects of a move, from packing and loading to transportation and unloading. They are equipped with the necessary tools and equipment to move your belongings safely and efficiently, and can also provide insurance coverage to protect your possessions during transit.
Hiring professionals can also save you time and effort, as they can handle the tedious and physically demanding tasks of moving while you focus on other aspects of the transition. Additionally, professional movers can offer valuable advice and guidance on packing and moving, helping to ensure that your move goes smoothly from start to finish. Overall, they can make a big difference in the success and ease of your move.
2. Buy Moving Insurance
Unfortunately, even with careful considerations being made, it’s still a possibility that scammers might trick you.
Don’t forget to purchase moving insurance before the big day. That way, you’ll be covered if the worst happens.
3. Apologize To Your Neighbors
When moving day finally arrives, you can expect a large van to park outside your home. This can cause significant disruption to your neighbors, which may distress them or impact their plans.
You can avoid making this mistake by informing your neighbors about the potential disruption and apologizing ahead of time.
4. Save Money
Picture the scene - you’re sitting on your new sofa looking around your first home. Feeling proud and in the mood to celebrate, you treat yourself to a bottle of bubbly from the local store. But alas, you’ve spent every penny on the move. Avoid this happening to you by actioning these tips.
Scouring the internet for the cheapest insurance is a great way to save money, as is asking a friend if you can borrow their van for moving day. Avoid buying expensive supplies by asking shopkeepers if they have any spare packaging you can have.
5. Identify What You Don’t Need
Many new homeowners make the error of packing things they no longer need. Moving house offers an excellent opportunity to sort through stuff and decide what is important enough to come with us into the next chapter.
Anything that doesn’t spark joy or have a clear purpose can be recycled or donated.
6. Change Your Address
A common mistake when moving house is to forget to notify your bank and workplace that you’ve changed address. Alerting them is not only a legal requirement but will avoid your mail being delivered to the wrong place.
You will also need to update the address on your driving license and with your medical provider. Changing your address on shopping websites will avoid the frustration of ordering new clothes for your old property.
7. Clean Before Moving In
One of the more common moving mistakes people forget about is cleaning before you move in. The best time to clean your new property is before you step inside with your belongings. At this stage, the house is empty, allowing you to do a deep clean.
You’ll kick yourself if you figure this out after you’ve moved everything across. It’s a lot more laborious to clean around things once they’re in place.
8. Avoid Causing Damage
In the intense rush of moving day, it can be easy to accidentally cause damage to either your old or new home. Take your time moving heavy furniture to avoid scratching floors, chipping paintwork or damaging door frames.
One of the most common mistakes made during moving day is damage to furniture. Larger objects, such as sofas or tables, dragged along narrow halls and pushed through tight doorways can break. Avoid this by working as a team and taking things at a safe and sensible pace.
9. Pack Correctly
Packing mistakes happen to everyone, but that shouldn’t mean you don’t try to alleviate them. You should avoid packing heavy items in large boxes - your back and knees will thank you.
Writing room names on boxes are helpful, and packing things properly will prevent items like glasses or mirrors from cracking. Take high-priority items to your new home first so you have these to hand immediately.
10. Organize Childcare
As much as you love them, little disturbs a successful moving day as much as children. Moving from one place to another is already a stressful experience without factoring in your children’s needs.
Organizing childcare is a sure way to make the day a little easier.