Top Ten Moving Day Mistakes

You’ve planned. You’ve made lists. You’ve checked, double-checked, and then checked again. But even the best laid plans can be full of holes when it comes to the day you’ve likely been dreading for months: Moving Day. Whether it’s a forgotten detail or an unexpected mini-crisis, dealing with moving day mistakes can take an already stressful situation to the next level of exasperating. Here are the top ten moving day mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Mislabeling Boxes
   A common mistake people make is labeling their boxes for the old house rather than for the new house. If things are changing in your new place, you can save yourself a headache by labeling the boxes for where they belong in your new place.

2. Not Being Ready for the Movers
   Moving day isn’t the day for a leisurely breakfast, sleeping in, or an extra-long workout. When the movers arrive, you should be ready for them to start doing their thing. If you’re doing some of the packing yourself, you should NOT be packing while the movers are there. It should be done before they arrive. For a hassle-free moving day, be ready for the movers!

3. Not Considering the Measurements of the New House
   That amazing sectional may have been the centerpiece of family life in your old home, but if your new living room is a few inches narrower, it might not fit. Measure the rooms in the new house so you can avoid such an unpleasant surprise on moving day.

4. Bringing Stuff You Don’t Need
   If the aforementioned sectional won’t fit in the new place, you can save money by not moving it! In the same vein, don’t bring the jeans that have been too small for 10 years, the project lamp you bought at a yard sale while you were in college, or the treadmill that was going to jump start your workout routine but now serves only as a place to hang clothes. Moving is the perfect excuse to purge. Doing so will make setting up your new home much more enjoyable.

5. Not Making Plans for Your Four-Legged Family Members
   Even well-behaved pets can get a little freaked out by the amount of activity that goes on during a move. Couple that with doors being held open and it’s a recipe for disaster. Send your pets to stay with a friend while the movers do their thing or find a great pet daycare nearby. Another option is to move your pets a few days early, board them near your new home, and then pick them up once everything has been moved in.

6. Choosing a Questionable Moving Company
   This is a common mistake, but it’s one that is easily avoided. Everyone who takes out an ad on Craigslist is not a qualified mover. Remember, you’ll need to trust your movers with every single thing you own. Don’t put that kind of faith in just anyone. Do your due diligence to check licenses, bonding, professional affiliations, and customer reviews.

7. Not Keeping a Bag of Essentials with You
   Whether yours is a local or long-distance move, it’s a good idea to keep a bag with you that contains everything you’d pack in an overnight bag (toiletries and change of clothes for each family member) plus games or books for the kids, your tech chargers, medicine, and anything else you may need during your first night or two in the new house.

8. Failing to Double Check the Inventory List
   It will get busy on moving day, but take the time to carefully check the inventory list before you sign. This might sound obvious, but it’s a pretty common mistake—and one that can cause a huge hassle if something ends up missing or damaged.

9. "Hey! Turn on the lights!"
   Moving in on a Friday? Have the lights, gas, water, and cable turned on by Thursday. Many utility companies complete their new service requests throughout the day. That means you could end up doing the bulk of the day's moving with no lights or water, and that's no fun for anyone!
   

10. Failure to Order a Sunny Day
    Ok, we know you can’t really control the weather, but you can at least be sure to check the weather forecast, so you can be prepared. If it looks like it’s going to rain on moving day, have some tarps and plastic sheeting to protect boxes and furniture as they are moved to the truck. Also, have some old towels nearby to try and keep the floors dry.
    

Since the 1940s, Booth Movers has built a solid reputation by providing quality services and exceptional customer care. As an Atlas Interstate agent, we can handle local and long distance moves with ease. Contact us to learn more about our Premier Partners Program, an exclusive network just for realtors! You'll have access to special pricing for clients and a gift for you with each referral!