Moving can be overwhelming and a full-time chore, especially if you are in charge of the cleaning, downsizing, packing, and labeling of all the items that need to find a new home. As a guideline, we recommend starting as early as possible in the process and getting as much help as possible from family and friends. Even with ample time and help, there are some common mistakes that homeowners make that can delay the move, or at least make it highly anxiety-ridden. Here are a few errors we have seen over the years to be aware of in the hope that you can avoid making these moving mistakes yourself.
Not Downsizing Enough
A move is a great time to weed out all those items that are not needed or possibly duplicated in your home. Thin out your clothing, books, toys, kitchenware, office supplies, and seasonal storage items. The more downsizing you do, the easier the entire process will be. Donate, recycle, or trash the items that are broken, gently used, or not needed anymore. This not only can save you from extra boxes to pack, but also extra junk to unpack in the new home. It may also shave some time off the moving process.
Not Labelling Boxes
It may seem like a simple task of labelling what is in each box that you pack, but so many homeowners skip this step. In addition to putting a tag on each box stating which room it should be delivered to, we suggest adding a short inventory list such as: dishes, utensils, or bowls, to remind you what is in each box upon arrival. This will save you some serious time and hassle when you are looking for something you need.
Procrastination
You may be thinking, “I can’t pack this yet, because we may still need it.” Our advice – pack it! You can always leave the box open in case you need to access items, but start getting all those keepsakes stashed away. It takes much longer to put your items in boxes and label them than you would imagine. We suggest setting a schedule of what rooms will be completely packed and by when. Do a little each day by starting early and assigning family members to each room and area of your home.
Not Organizing Receipts and Contacts
When it comes down to it, moving is a crash course in organization. Keep all of your receipts in a folder or binder along with contacts that you will need to transfer utilities, school records, and medical data. Not organizing can mean countless hours searching for the estimates you have obtained for moving companies, contacts for cancelling cable, and other odds-and-ends.
Avoid these four moving mistakes by starting early, enlisting the help of friends, and staying organized. Check out our blog for the ultimate moving guide and other helpful articles to keep your move on track and on time. Questions and comments contact Mastodon Moving. We are happy to help.