Moving can be an exciting period, but let’s be honest, few of us actually enjoy the chaos of moving day.
The key to making moving day less stressful and ensuring things go on swimmingly is to start planning early. Procrastinating makes what is an already stressful event even more nerve-wracking.
If you want to stay out of trouble on the big day, there are some common pitfalls you need to stay clear of.
Not hiring a mover on time OR Hiring a shady mover
If you intend to hire a moving company to help with your move, you really don’t want to wait until the eleventh hour to start making your phone calls.
Waiting until the last minute to start finding a mover will almost always end up terribly. And you can take that to the bank.
Not only are movers hard to get a hold of (especially if it’s peak season) but you’ll also end up paying through the nose if you manage to find someone willing to take up the job on short notice.
That aside, something else you want to avoid is hiring a shady outfit. This may or may not be intentional.
It may be intentional in cases where you’re looking to find the cheapest mover in town without paying any regard to much else – reputation, for example, whether they are licensed or not, and so on. In this business, cheap doesn’t equal better.
It may also be unintentional in cases where you hire a supposedly “professional” company but fail to do your due diligence. For example, you probably overlooked the reviews which do not paint the mover in a very positive light.
To avoid dealing with the drama of questionable companies and ending up with horror stories, take time to research a good company that is both licensed and has a track record of delivering.
Falling behind schedule
No matter how much planning you do ahead of time, sometimes things can come up that throw your schedule into disarray. Either that or you make the mistake of underestimating the work involved in moving.
The best way to avoid finding yourself scrambling to get things done before the movers arrive is to have a checklist with a timeline and stick to it religiously.
From sourcing packing supplies to the actual packing, or even selling off some possessions, have everything ready well ahead of time.
Waiting until the last minute
As we’ve pointed out, many people assume packing won’t take much time. It’s a common mistake even people who have moved before make.
Truth is, though, waiting until the morning of the move to do the rest of your packing can end up costing you not just valuable time (never mind the extra pressure that comes with it) but also keeping the moving crew waiting will see you incur unnecessary expenses in the name of overtime accrued.
That single box you think you’ll pack up quickly? It often takes longer than you think. Always make a point of doing everything early in advance. You’ll be glad you did.
Forgetting the essentials kit
An essentials kit is a bag that contains all the things you need at your convenience on moving day. If you have family or pets, you might have to carry several kits to hold everything from baby and pet snacks to tech tablets and toiletries, and all manner of essentials.
The kit might also double up as an overnight bag that includes everything you’ll need before unpacking – toothbrushes, change of clothes, towels, and other items probably specific to you.
Not observing safety practices
When you find yourself strapped for time on moving day, it is easy to forget about the safety practices you should be observing.
The problem with this is that it makes the scene a potential health hazard. You or other household members could trip, fall and end up hurting yourself – or even the moving team.
Always take the time to clear the scene (both indoors and outdoors) to make it ideal for the chaotic activity that will be ensuing.
Not planning for children and pets
Toddlers and pets can get in the way during moving day, so it is best to find a temporary babysitter and if you own a pet or two, someone to watch over the animal(s) until the moving crew is done loading. Could be a family member, close friend, neighbours, or you yourself. If you want extra peace of mind, consider IATA endorsed pet shipping to help transport your pet to your new location in comfort. After all, children can travel with you comfortably, but pets will likely be stressed and cause extra issues.
So remember these tips for an easy, stress-less move. As long as you can avoid the most common pitfalls, you’ll be all set for your big day.
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