18 Common Mistakes People Make When Moving!

How stressful is the moving process? I think you would agree that the answer is VERY STRESSFUL!!! You have to deal with everything from finding a new home or apartment, to packing your belongings, to moving your things, hooking up utilities, selecting providers for TV, phone, internet services, & countless other concerns. These tasks can become overwhelming. We have created the following list of suggestions to help you reduce the stress by steering clear of common mistakes that will cost you time and money.

• Get a home inspection

Before you purchase your new home it is a good idea to have it inspected by a qualified professional home inspector. One of the common mistakes that a lot of people make is to assume that the appraisal done by the bank is a home inspection. It is not! The appraiser simply estimates the value of the home based on comparable sales in your area. A professional home inspection is a visible inspection of all accessible areas of your home. The inspector will report on the structural integrity of the home, health and safety issues, and any systems that may need repair or replacement in the near future. Remember that once you have taken possession of your new home you will be responsible for any repairs that are needed.

• Timing can make a difference

You may be able to save some money if you can be flexible in scheduling your moving date. The moving industry is very cyclical. There are peak times when the movers are very busy (summer months and around the first or fifteenth of the month) and there are slower times (winter and around the tenth or twentieth of the month).Sometimes if you can schedule your move to coincide with the slower periods you can negotiate a better deal than if you move during one of the peak times.

• Make a plan

Plan your work and work your plan! Whether you are moving across town or across the country you will need an extensive plan to avoid the large number of potential pitfalls that you may encounter. A well thought out plan of action will save you both time and money. Consulting with moving professionals as well as friends that have moved can give you some valuable insight into some of the problems you will need to plan for. Lastly, slow down, don't rush yourself. Moving is stressful but you can make it a lot easier by taking the time to do it right. Give yourself as much time as possible to prepare for your move.

• Make a budget

It is important to anticipate the expenses you will incur and create a budget to cover these expenses. Arrange finances in advance to cover unexpected or emergency moving-related expenses. The cost of moving services can be a significant portion of your moving budget. Some of the other expenses that can be easily overlooked can include the extra costs of shutting down and reinstalling utilities, travel expenses,(including food, fuel, and lodging )and purchasing items like perishable items and cleaning products. Add some extra cash in your budget to cover any unexpected expenses that you have while you are getting settled into your new home.

• Create a check list

One of the most important things you should do is take the time to create and use a check list of all the things that need to be taken care of. You will be less likely to forget any of the tasks that need to be accomplished. In the heat of the battle it can be nearly impossible to remember everything that needs to be done and when. By having a good checklist you can save yourself a lot of unnecessary headaches. The fewer surprises the better.

• Create a moving folder

Use this binder to keep track of everything—all your estimates, your receipts, an inventory of all the items you’re moving, relocation insurance paperwork, your Bill of Lading, delivery receipt, utility change fees, lodging and travel expenses veterinary records, etc… Keep all receipts and documentation in your moving folder and store the folder in a safe place. You'll be glad to have everything in one place at tax time. Don’t wait until the last minute

• Don’t forget the children

As stressful as moving can be for an adult, imagine how it can affect your children. Their whole world as they know it is about to change. The best thing you can do to reduce their anxiety level is to keep them involved as much as possible. By keeping them informed and involved in the moving process you can help remove their fear of the unknown. Some of the things you can do to help the children during the move include the following:

• Keep them informed

Tell them about the move early. This will give them time to adjust. Let them know where they will be moving to. Emphasize the positive points of their new environment (school, new friends, neighborhood etc…). Make a list of all the things of interest to them that will be available at the new location. It is also a good idea to sit down with them and help them create an address book of all their friends that they would like to keep in contact with after they move. Working out ways in which they can keep in touch with old friends helps enormously as well since this will be a time when they are as frightened as you are about moving to a new area. Engage them in conversation about the move and don’t forget to listen to their concerns.

• Keep them involved

Let them be a part of as many aspects of the moving process as possible. Discuss decorating options for their new rooms. Have them pack their own survival box that includes the things they will need when they first arrive at their new home. Let them help you with packing and labeling your things. They can also help you decide what items you want to move and what you don’t. If you decide to have a garage sale to get rid of some of the items you don’t want to take with you, let them help. The more control they feel they have in the process, the smoother the transition will be.

• Introduce your children to their new home

Take pictures of your home and surrounding areas before you move. If possible let the kids take the pictures. Take them on a tour of the new community (schools, parks, shopping malls, athletic fields, and any special interest areas the children may have). Obtain a map of your new community and locate the places you visited and took pictures of. By doing this your children will become familiar with their new environment prior to the move. Unpack and set up the children’s room first. Resume normal family routines as quickly as possible.

• Move yourself vs. professional movers

Things are not always as they appear. While at first glance it may seem like you can save yourself a lot of time and money by moving yourself, but that may not always be the case. It might be. But when you figure in all of the costs (the price of a rental vehicle including mileage, fuel, extra insurance, and the amount of time and effort it takes to load and unload the truck) it might make more sense to hire a professional. Professional movers have the knowledge and experience to pack up your items properly and deliver them to your new home without any damage. Knowing how to properly protect your possessions and carefully maneuver heavy or bulky items up and down stairs as well as narrow doorways or hallways can save you a lot of headaches.

• Choose the right movers

If you have carefully weighed your options and decided to go with a moving company it is very important that you select the right company. This can make the difference between a smooth move and a nightmare. All movers are not alike. Take your time to research several companies before deciding on the right mover for your needs. Ask family and friends for referrals. Here are some important things to consider when selecting the right mover.

• Shop around: Don’t go with the 1st mover you talk to just because it sounds like a good deal. Take the time to research more than one company so you can get the best deal available.
• Request a binding estimate in writing: Make sure the estimate is binding and includes all costs. The last thing you need is to have some hidden charges added to your bill when you get to your new home.
• Cheapest is not always the best: The moving business is very competitive. The prices for mover’s services tend to be in the same ball park. If one of the movers comes back with an unusually low quote and does not appear to be in the same range as the others, beware. There may be some misunderstanding about the estimate or there may be some additional charges that are not factored into their quote.
• Compare apples to apples: In order for you to make an informed decision on which moving company is the right choice for you it is very important that the estimates you receive are based on the same criteria. Make sure that you ask all the same questions and give the same details to each company that you are comparing so that the estimates you receive are for the exact same services.
• Ask for and check references. It is a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the companies you are interested in are reputable companies. It is also a good idea to request and check some references from each company.
• Ask for firm pickup and delivery dates: Most companies will only give you an estimated 2-3 day window for picking up and delivering your things. If possible try to get a firm set of dates. This could prevent a lot of wasted time sitting at your home waiting for the movers to show up.
• Ask if insurance is included in the estimate: If insurance is included you need to find out the extent of the coverage and how your things are valued. If there is insufficient coverage or no coverage at all it would be a good idea for you to secure a relocation insurance policy on your own.

• Communicate clearly with your moving company

By not communicating all the details of your moving needs to your moving company in advance, you may be setting yourself up for some unexpected surprises when you get your final bill from your moving company. Some of the things that can result in unexpected charges if not fully disclosed in advance include extra packing charges for items that were not disclosed before the estimate, parking restrictions for loading or unloading your belongings, extra stairs or lack of an elevator. Bottom line is that by communicating clearly with your moving company and giving them a detailed and accurate description of your needs at both ends of the move, you can greatly reduce or avoid any hidden or extra charges on moving day.

• Make sure your belongings are fully insured

Even the most professional moving companies can make mistakes. It is your responsibility to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage in case something accidentally happens and some of your belongings become lost or damaged during the move. Most insurance coverage from the movers will only cover a fraction of the cost of replacing your things should that become necessary. Having insurance coverage, which covers the full value of your belongings can save you a lot of headaches if your property is lost or damaged during the move. Most homeowners or renter’s insurance policies do not cover these unexpected costs either. Before you begin the moving process it is highly recommended that you make sure you have adequate coverage on your belongings in case of some unexpected loss. You can purchase relocation insurance through an independent insurance company that will cover you for the duration of the move.

• If you don’t need it, don’t move it

Moving time is a great time to downsize. The first thing you want to do before you begin packing is to determine exactly what you are going to take with you and what you can do without. Over time we all accumulate a lot more things than we really need. This is a great time to weed out some of the things that you don’t need or use while also lightening the load for your move. Go through your house and pick out what will go and what will stay. Start this process early so you will have time to sell or donate the items that you don’t want to take with you. Unless something has significant sentimental value, if you haven’t used it in the last year you probably don’t need it.

• Create an inventory

After you have sorted out the things you are going to move from the things you are not taking with you, your next step should be to take the time to make an inventory of the items you will be moving. It is a good idea to inventory your belongings with a camera as well as a written list. The photo inventory will be very helpful to document the condition of your belongings before the move in case there is anything missing or damaged during the move. A carefully documented video inventory could also be very helpful to document your valuables for insurance purposes when you purchase insurance for your new residence.

• Order quality moving boxes and supplies

Many people overlook this and it ends up costing them both time and money. If it has been a while since your last move there is a good chance that you have accumulated a great deal of stuff. Moving all of the things that you decide to take with you may require more moving boxes and supplies than you anticipate to doing the job right. The most cost efficient way to accomplish is to get your moving boxes directly from a professional box company. They will have just the right products you need and you can have them delivered right to your door for less than you might think. You may opt to try and collect enough boxes yourself from grocery stores and other sources, but when you factor in all the time it takes to run all over the place looking for enough boxes, the number of trips it takes and the amount of money it costs for gas, it’s usually not worth the effort. Not to mention the cost of that special lamp that got broken when you tried to move it wrapped in newspaper and packed in a grapefruit box from the grocery store instead of using a proper box and packing .materials.

• Pack your things carefully

Start by packing the things that you do not use on a regular basis. Make sure to take the time to pack things properly. Carefully wrap and protect any fragile or breakable items that may be easily damaged. Remove any glass or mirrors from furniture and pack them separately. Use proper boxes and packing materials that are rugged enough and designed for moving. Do not over pack the boxes or stack heavy objects on top of fragile belongings. Not properly labeling the boxes is a common mistake that a lot of people make that will cost you a lot of time and headaches when it is time to unpack. Carefully label the boxes as to what is in the box and which room the contents are from. It is a good idea to pack your valuable items in a safe box and personally transport it to your new home. Include items like jewelry, moving papers, wallet, checkbook, credit cards, prescriptions, important documents, back up CD for computer files, etc…

• Emergency Survival box

Call it an emergency kit, survival box, tool kit, overnight bag, or any other name you want, but don’t forget to pack a separate box with all the little things you may need when you get to your new home. Chances are that when you first arrive at your new home you will have a need for certain items. By having these set aside and either bringing them with you or loading them last, you will save yourself a lot of time and stress. Some of the items you may want to include are small hand tools, flash light, can opener, toiletries, coffee maker and coffee, snacks, disposable dinnerware, linens, pet food, first aid kit etc… Also remember to have some extra cash on hand for unexpected expenses.

• Changing your address is more than a trip to the post office.

One of the common mistakes people make is to fill out a change of address form for the post office and assume that is all they have to do. There are many individuals and organizations that you may need to contact. Make a check list so that you don’t lose contact with someone important after you move. Some of the people or organizations on your list may include banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, credit card companies, utility providers, drivers license, auto registrations, health care providers, employer, magazine/newspaper subscriptions, IRS, selective service (if applicable), social security, accountant, attorney, clubs or organizations, alumni, friends and family. It is also a good idea to have your medical and veterinary records forwarded to your new providers. If this is not possible see if you can get copies.

• Have your new house or apartment cleaned prior to move-in.

Whether you do it yourself or have a professional do it for you now is the ideal time to have your new house or apartment thoroughly cleaned. It is going to be a lot easier and less time consuming to have your house cleaned while it is empty instead of trying to clean and /or paint around a house full of furniture and boxes. This is a good time to clean inside the closets and cabinets as well as the attic basement and other storage areas. If you are going to have a professional perform these services for you it will save you money because it will take a lot less time if they don’t have to move everything before and after they clean.