Moving home, whether it’s just a few streets away or to another city, naturally brings feelings of stress and anxiety, given all the details and paperwork the process involves.
Without good planning, you are far more likely to make mistakes that a little organisation could easily prevent, keeping the whole process smooth. Keep in mind, though, that some details are not entirely within your control.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the most common mistakes so you can avoid them and save time, money and worry.
4 common mistakes when planning a move
Doing the move yourself
This is only feasible when the number of items to move is minimal. Otherwise, taking on the move yourself is a terrible idea.
Beyond all the details, just think for a moment about something that seems small: renting the truck to transport your furniture.
The first issue is that driving a car is not the same as driving a truck. Its size calls for the skill needed to judge turns at corners, to park and to gauge braking distance with a heavy vehicle.
On top of that, insurance for your goods is something only dedicated removals companies provide.
Hiring without properly assessing the company
The main recommendation is to hire a company that handles everything related to the move, but that doesn’t mean hiring the first one you come across.
It is essential to assess the conditions they offer, their reputation and the references they provide.
With that in mind, we recommend requesting at least 3 quotes so you can make proper comparisons before deciding which one best fits your needs.
Also, tempting as it may sound, you should never hire the cheapest quote. That false economy usually leads to higher costs, hassle and delays in your move.
Planning without enough notice
When planning, a key point is the intended date for the move. Once you have chosen your company, we recommend booking the date well in advance.
Among other things, if your chosen date falls during the school holidays, which happens very often, it may be harder to book the day you want.
Planning well ahead also lets you handle the necessary paperwork calmly. From changing the children’s school to setting up utilities, these are tasks you should get ahead on when planning a move.
Packing all your furniture and belongings is also a key part of the move. If you leave it to the last minute, chances are you won’t sort your items and will pack them incorrectly and in a rush.
What’s more, without enough time, you won’t be able to assess which items you should throw away because you no longer need them.
Throwing away, giving away or selling items you no longer use cuts down on packing and unpacking time, and also saves storage space in your new home.
Not packing a first-days kit
While you unpack all the boxes, you still need to eat, sleep and get dressed. That’s why a smart tip is to pack what you need for those first two or three days.
Include pyjamas, toiletries, two or three changes of clothes for each family member, plus the coffee maker, glasses, plates and everything you need for that first breakfast at home.
In short, everything above shows that it is vital to plan every stage of the move. Following that plan closely saves you from many mistakes that can lead to extra costs, hassle and delays throughout the process.
