To every first-time mover, moving is no big deal. It’s only when you experience the difficulty of planning, preparing, packing, transporting, and unpacking that you understand that moving should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, by that point, you’ve already committed the most common moving day mistakes and are left with the abundance of ‘shoulda, coulda, wouldas’. So, take a proactive approach to your first move and avoid making these mistakes. You can break the odds and prove that a first move doesn’t have to be a daunting experience.
1. Underestimating the Power of Planning and Procrastinating Instead
If there’s one thing everyone needs to know prior to their first move, it’s that you need to plan ahead of time. As you work your way through your belongings, you’re going to come across items than you didn’t know you had and just as many things that you don’t know what to do with. On top of that there will be even more tasks you had no clue were associated with moving. So, it’s imperative to give yourself an ample amount of time to carefully plan out your entire move.
With that said, you also want to start executing your plan as soon as possible, or at least, eight weeks prior to the big day. Procrastination will inevitably lead to moving day discrepancies. So, once you have your list of things to do, start doing them. Packing, organizing, decluttering, hiring movers, purchasing moving materials, renting moving day equipment, and setting up utilities are only a few of the things that should be on your list.
2. Trying to Do It All on Your Own
First time movers love to make this common moving day mistake. If you carefully planned out your move, you’ll see that there’s no way you can wing it or do it yourself. Moving is complicated, even if you’re moving out of your parent’s basement and into an apartment 10 minutes away. No matter what type of move you’re doing, you’ll need help. So, call your friends, family members and professional movers – today not the week of your anticipated move in date.
Unfortunately, a lot of first time movers underestimate the value of planning and preparing for a move, so they underestimate the amount of work that has to be done. So, take care of these two mistakes with one thing – a plan.
3. Not Packing Properly
When you’ve never moved before, you’re unfamiliar with the importance of packing properly. Unfortunately, this often results in damages, and not all items are replaceable especially if they’re sentimental items.
So, make the initiative to learn how to pack properly and with proper packing materials. Although the free boxes sitting on the curbside are tempting, spend the money to buy moving boxes that are designed to keep your belongings safe during the move.
At the very least, you should refrain from throwing various items in boxes without a strategy. Instead, pack your belongings per item type and per room, and label properly so you can easily unload the moving truck and unpack accordingly.
4. Forgetting About the Items That Can’t Be Moved in A Truck
There are various items that can’t be moved via a moving truck, and you’ll have to find alternative arrangements to have those items arrive at your new humble abode. Most people simply move these items in their own car but if you don’t have one, you’ll have to find a family or friend who can help you out.
So, conduct some research on the type of items you can’t move via a moving truck. Flammables, hazardous materials, living animals, plants, and foods are to name a few.
5. Not Checking on The Valuation Coverage
Valuation Coverage is the term used to describe the protection provided to you by the moving company you hire a truck and professional movers from. The amount of protection you receive depends on the coverage you choose. However, Basic Liability Protection is free and ensures any items damaged or lost by movers are replaced or repaired at a specified rate.
Full Replacement Value Coverage ensures all your possessions are 100% covered for repair, replacement or reimbursement if they were to be lost or damaged at the hands of movers. So, this is something you certainly want to be familiar with. Just because you hired professional movers doesn’t mean you are fully covered.
Knowing what to avoid is the first step to a quality moving day experience. Avoid these most common mistakes made by first time movers, and ensure a safe, enjoyable, and efficient day.
