5 Common Mistakes People Make When Moving

Want to plan a smooth move and avoid moving stress? Whether you're moving out of state, embarking on a cross-country relocation, or simply wanting better organization for your local move, there are many factors to consider—and many things that can go wrong. We've got you covered—here are five of the most common moving mistakes to try to avoid!

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Not Researching Movers

One of the mistakes people make while moving is putting off scheduling a moving company. This can get especially tricky during peak moving season—usually in the summer time—when demand is highest. You don't want to be stuck paying high rush charges, putting money down without asking the necessary questions, or unexpectedly handling a move with no professional support. To avoid this and other mover-related mistakes, follow these tips:

• Assess Costs: If you hire movers, assess the costs and options for local versus long-distance moves, as they'll differ significantly in price—local move estimates are generally based on the hours it takes to complete a move, while a flat rate calculated with multiple factors is usually used for long-distance moves.

• Compare Movers: If you have time, get multiple quotes to

  choose the right moving company for your budget and needs. Having multiple price estimates may also help you negotiate for a better price. Make sure to also verify that moving companies you're considering are registered and have a valid

  USDOT number.

• Consider Sharing a Moving Truck: For long-distance moves, you can save some money by sharing a load truck that delivers loads to multiple households.

• Move on Your Own: If it's not in your moving budget or you run out of time to schedule movers, moving on your own is possible—especially if you're able to rent a moving truck and have support from friends and family. Some folks with fewer items may even opt to ship moving boxes for longer-distance moves.

Packing Inefficiently

It may be hard to estimate how many moving boxes and other packing materials you'll need when you move—and it's easy to waste space by packing improperly. Here are some efficient packing tips for moving to help your items safely reach your new home:

• Get a Variety of Boxes: Whether you buy boxes new or find used boxes for free, focus on finding a variety of cardboard boxes for your move—a general rule of thumb for

  packing moving boxes is to use smaller boxes for denser, heavier objects and larger boxes for bulky, lightweight items.

• Wrap Items Correctly: Breakable or fragile items such as dishes or china should be bubble-wrapped, covered with paper or newspaper, or packed with packing peanuts. Another great moving hack is to use your own clothes or linens as cushioning for breakable items. Make sure to also properly wrap furniture to prevent damage during transit.

• Label Boxes: Clearly designating which room a box belongs in

  is helpful for both movers and yourself when it comes time to

  unpack. Keeping a master list of all of your boxes and their contents is also incredibly beneficial.

• Make a "First Week Bag": If you opt to have a moving company pack for you, make sure they don't pack daily essentials away—on moving day, keep these items on your person or in your personal vehicle in a "first week bag" or box. This will save you the headache of searching for necessities like changes of clothing, toiletries, charging cords, or medications during the first few days after your move.

Not Preparing for Meals

While your kitchen items being packed away can be a great excuse to get takeout for every meal, dining out can quickly rack up costs—especially if you’re feeding more than one person. Minimize this extra moving cost by making a plan for meals before, during, and after your move, whether you plan to cook or not.

• Budget for Food: Determine how many restaurant meals you can afford during your first few days after a move, then invest in easy frozen meals or dry goods to help fill in the gaps. If your relocation will take several days, make sure the budget for meals out is higher, since you won't have access to a kitchen.

• Take Time to Organize Kitchenware: Spend extra time sorting and packing basic kitchen necessities you'll need for cooking, like cutlery, appliances, pots and pans, plates, spatulas, oil, and some dry pantry items.

• Donate Perishables: If you must ditch any perishables before hitting the road, check local food banks or soup kitchens to see if any are accepting donations. Alternatively, offer extra food to neighbors.

Forgetting to Change Your Address

For an organized move, it's imperative to establish and update to a new address for multiple reasons—including being able to prove residency to register a vehicle, obtain a new driver’s license, and update your voter registration. The U.S. Postal Service will only forward mail for free for a certain amount of time, though there is an option to pay for extended forwarding. Once you've made an official change of address, make sure to update all bank accounts and bills—and don't forget to let friends and family know your new address!

Forgetting to Transfer Utilities

One of the most common moving mistakes people may make is forgetting to shut down existing utility accounts and setting up utilities in the new residence. Your existing utilities list could include water, electricity, gas, cable, internet/phone, garbage pick-up, or even newspaper delivery. Follow this moving advice to help navigate the transition:

• Cancel at the Right Time: To make sure you still have access to water, electricity, and trash services before your move, verify that the end of your service will not halt until you have left the property. On the flip side, make sure utilities at your new residence are already set up upon your arrival, rather than waiting until you're there. Properly scheduling your utilities transfer will prevent you from paying double bills.

• Ask for Possible Discounts: New utility service providers may offer specials to new customers and waive installation and activation fees—make sure to contact them to ask if that applies to you.

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