Five common moving mistakes to avoid

No matter how many times you have moved house, it’s easy to overlook certain tasks with so much to do. We all want our move to go smoothly, and even with careful planning, one blip can make it feel so much more difficult. We’ve detailed the five most common moving mistakes people make during the moving process, so you can avoid them the next time you move.

 

Not planning for young children and pets

During the moving process, it’s easy to forget that you need to plan for children and pets on moving day. Movers need easy access to your property to load the truck. They need doors and gates open, which makes it difficult to contain pets and young children.

Having movers in the house is also stressful for children and pets, as well as hazardous for everyone. Plan to have someone care for your young children and pets, preferably away from the house to make moving easier and less stressful.

 

Not planning for the moving truck

Once you’ve booked your move, you’ll need to plan ahead for where to park the truck. Securing the closest park with the best access to your house is essential for making the move go as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

If you have a shared driveway, poor access, or any obstacle that will cause problems getting the truck to the best parking location, plan ahead. This applies at both ends, as you’ll have the same issue when it comes to unloading the truck.

 

Not labelling boxes

There is nothing worse after all the hard work of moving than being presented with a stack of boxes and having no idea what they contain. It makes unpacking a nightmare, especially on the first day when all you’ll want are your bedding and essentials.

Avoiding this mistake is as easy as buying a permanent marker and listing what each box contains on the side. Even better, write what room it belongs in so you movers can put it there for you. This one simple task makes unpacking so much easier.

 

Not notifying service providers of your change of address

It’s your responsibility to tell all your service providers about your change of address. Relying on mail redirection won’t solve this problem. You need to contact each company individually so you don’t compromise the essential services you need at home in any way.

Most companies allow you to do this online these days, and many can accommodate changeovers well in advance of your moving date. Ticking this job off early means you don’t have to worry about it later, when unpacking and settling in is your highest priority.

Who to contact:

• Banks
• Lawyer
• Accountant
• Doctor
• Dentist
• Schools or child care
• Power company
• Gas company
• Internet and phone company
• Australian Taxation Office

 

Not using good packing materials

Not all boxes are made equal. Moving boxes are specifically designed for moving to provide the best possible protection while your goods are in transit. Simply wrapping items in paper won’t offer sufficient protection, especially for breakables.

The cost of buying good packing materials far outweighs the cost of breakages. Use sturdy boxes, wrap items well, use lots of cushioning, and seal every open seam of the box with packing tape. You won’t regret it.

 

The key to avoiding moving mistakes

The key to any successful move is using a professional moving company with a proven track record. They will help you avoid many of these common moving mistakes and make the process go much more smoothly. Give us a call if you need any help.