Moving Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make

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Updated on October 9th, 2020

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Guest Post by Jenn Young, Uncle Bob’s Self Storage

Moving can be an incredibly stressful time. There are so many things to do and details to remember that you are bound to forget a few things. It happens. After all, it’s not on most people’s list of top 10 fun things to do! However, when you’re aware of the potential missteps you can make, you’ll have a much easier time managing your stress. Here are five moving mistakes to avoid.

Rushing

You may not be left with much time to get from point A to point B, but rushing is one of the most critical mistakes you can make during relocation. It can even be dangerous, literally and figuratively. When you rush – moving furniture, appliances, heavy boxes—you can end up injuring yourself, someone else, or damaging your family china. You will also elevate your stress levels which can have a snowball effect through the entire process.

Photo courtesy of Risager via http://rfn.co/1mI6X42
Boxes are heavy. Get some help!
Photo courtesy of Risager via http://rfn.co/1mI6X42

Not asking for help

Moving is not a one-person job. Unless you’ve decided to live a minimalist lifestyle and everything you own fits into a duffel bag or two, you will need a few extra hands. Organizing, packing, physically moving things and then unpacking them takes considerable time and effort. The simplest solution is to ask a friend or two (or five) to help out. Throw in some pizza and a few drinks and you are set. Otherwise, you can always hire a moving company to take care of anything you need.

Forgetting to research moving companies

If you are not relying on the help of your friends, you probably need to hire a company. Researching moving companies isn’t something you want to be lazy about or to forego, even if you are crunched for time. While most moving companies are completely legitimate, there are those that are not interested in putting you and your belongings first. Booking top-notch movers can be more challenging during peak moving times (summer months), but you will definitely want to shop around. Ask for licenses and other credentials and get quotes in writing. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start, and you can also find more customer reviews online.

Packing everything you own

Photo courtesy of quinn.anya via Flickr http://rfn.co/1bji8rJ
No really, don’t pack EVERYTHING.
Photo courtesy of quinn.anya via Flickr http://rfn.co/1bji8rJ

Do you need to take absolutely all of your earthly possessions? Moving is the perfect time to take inventory of your material existence. When you do, you will find there is quite a bit of stuff you don’t need. It might be things you have not seen or used in years; clothes that went out of style in 1993 or furniture that is not going to fit in your new place. Packing all of this excess can take extra time and may end up costing you in the long run if you pay for it to be transported. Instead, make an effort to reduce your belongings either by selling or donating them, or both.

Poor organization

This can be a real killer and goes hand-in-hand with each of the previous moving mistakes. Poor organization—from planning to packing—can result in you spending more money and time than is necessary. It can lead to lost or broken items, and, of course, a lot of stress. Take inventory of your belongings, make a moving checklist, maintain constant communication with your moving company (or your helpful friends), time and schedule your move so it is convenient to you, and sufficiently pack and label everything. The goal is to make your move as straightforward as possible so when you finally arrive at your new place, you have everything you left with, including your wits.

About Jenn Young, Uncle Bob’s Self Storage
Jenn Young is a freelance writer working with Uncle Bob’s Self Storage. She is passionate about beautifying her home and she currently writes on anything and everything related storage, organizing, and keeping clutter free!

Note: This is a guest post; the views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Redfin.

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