Here we share six common mistakes that most people make when moving and how you can avoid them.
Hiring an unreliable mover
The experience and expertise of the company you hire will decide how easy or difficult your move will be. A reputable service provider will do all they can to make the process as easy going for you as possible. They will handle your belongings with care, ensure safe transit, and timely delivery to the destination. They will also be upfront about their rates and provide excellent customer service. Meanwhile, the wrong company can increase your problems, doing more harm than good.
How to avoid it: Do your research, look for online reviews, ask your friends for recommendations, and take quotes from multiple moving companies. Check the validity of their insurance, license, cargo warranty, and contact details.
Not packing essentials
In the middle of all the chaos, it’s easy to forget that you will not open all your boxes on the first day. Chances are the truck will arrive a day or two after you move into the new home. So if you don’t pack your essentials separately and carry them with you, you will be left stranded in your new home, wanting things and not knowing what to do.
How to avoid it: Make a list of daily use items like bedsheets, toiletries, snacks, towels, nightclothes, put them in a separate bad and bring them along. Or you can stay in a hotel for the first few days until all your household items arrive.
Packing without sorting
If you pack things without sorting them according to their utility and the room where they belong, you will have a hard time unpacking them.
How to avoid it: Get rid of the clothes, accessories, and other junk you don’t use anymore. You can either recycle them, sell on an online marketplace such as Letgo, or donate.
Of the things you use, create a list according to their type—furniture, appliances, artwork. Sort them according to utility and put them in a separate bag/carton. Label it—write where it belongs and all its essential contents, so you don’t have to open every box to know what’s inside.
Skipping bubble wrap
Another common mistake is forgetting to bubble wrap your furniture and fragile items. If you don’t, you are increasing the likelihood of your precious belongings getting damaged in transit. Between lifting heavy boxes and transporting, movers might miss the fragile item tags on the boxes.
How to avoid it: Disassemble furniture and large appliances and then pack every item in bubble wrap. It also goes for art, paintings, glassware, silverware, and all other breakable things. Ensure you fill all the empty spaces inside the boxes to prevent their contents from accidentally moving and breaking.
Not changing the mailing address.
You need to transfer all your utilities such as cooking gas and broadband connections and update your mailing address.
How to avoid it: Go to the nearest post office and fill out the forms to change your mailing address, so you don’t miss your mails and bills. If you are moving across the country or internationally, you may have to close your current bank account.
About Southwest Movers
We provide reliable long-distance moving services with flat-rate pricing and guaranteed discounts. A family-owned company based in San Jose can help you move your belongings anywhere in the US. You can call us at 1 (800) 562-1084 to get a free quote.