According to surveys of Dtc Express Packers & Movers, almost 70% of people experience some kind of damage or loss when moving homes. The headaches caused by relocation mistakes can turn an already stressful process into a nightmare. However, with proper planning and awareness, many common blunders can be avoided. This blog reveals the 7 most common mistakes made during home shifting and provides tips to steer clear of them. Relocating is difficult but you can make it smoother by avoiding these infamous relocation pitfalls that catch many off guard. With the right knowledge, your next move doesn’t have to be marred by regrets over things you could have easily avoided.
Not hiring professional movers
Trying to save money by having an amateur DIY move often leads to unintended expenses and headaches down the line. Without proper techniques and resources, the chances of mishandling, damage, and disorganization are very high. Professional movers are experienced, insured, have all equipment needed, and work efficiently as a coordinated team.
This avoids or minimizes losses, breakages, overlooked tasks, injury risks, and arguments that can make a DIY move chaotic. Hiring reputable movers gives peace of mind and frees you to focus on other relocation aspects. The costs of professional packing and transport are worthwhile when considering the mistakes and confusion of moving yourself.
Failing to declutter
Moving presents a perfect opportunity to purge the clutter that has accumulated over time. However, many underestimate the problems excess stuff can cause during relocation. More possessions mean more packing time, higher moving costs, increased chances of damage, and headaches unloading. Clutter also takes up precious space in your new home.
Not decluttering beforehand often leads to simply relocating the mess to the new place. Sorting and discarding unused items frees you from wasting energy maneuvering junk. Streamlining possessions makes packing, transporting, and unpacking much smoother. Overall, failing to downsize before moving magnifies hassles and problems.
Not planning a moving budget
Many underestimate the expenses associated with relocating and do not budget adequately. Factoring in just the obvious costs of packing and unpacking materials can lead to financial stress when unexpected charges pop up. Creating a comprehensive budget that includes expenses like deposits, address change fees, utility connections, home modifications, and contingencies is vital.
Being strategic with timelines can also help optimize costs. Relocating without accounting for all potential costs causes people to overspend and scramble to cover surprise bills. Having a well-planned budget helps you financially prepare, avoid shortfalls, and have peace of mind that the move will be affordable.
Packing Improperly
Improper packing techniques are a major cause of damaged belongings during relocation. Items loosely placed in boxes can shift and collide in transit. Using make-do packing materials like old newspapers and bedsheets leads to tears, dents, cracks, and scratches. Fragile items need proper wrapping and cushioning which amateurs often overlook. Securing cartons inadequately results in spills and breakages if they open.
Not labeling boxes creates confusion unloading. Poor packing jeopardizes your possessions and compounds the headaches of moving. Investing in quality supplies and following professional packing methods protects your goods. Taking time to properly pack possessions reduces stress, losses, and regrets down the road.
Not changing Addresses
Forgetting to update your address and contacts with banks, schools, employers, subscriptions and others can rain down hassles after relocating. Mailed invoices, documents, packages and more end up lost or severely delayed creating frustrating headaches. Important communications like renewal notices and appointment reminders never arrive causing unneeded issues.
Relying on postal forwards leaves room for missed mail. Updating details proactively prevents services being discontinued, deliveries going awry, and vital messages being lost in transition. Keeping addresses current saves enormous trouble trying to intercept postal chaos and reconnect severed ties. Don’t let a simple data update oversight thwart a smooth relocation.
Poor Moving Day Planning
Lack of coordination and planning for moving day logistics can derail the process. Not having utilities set up beforehand or blocking access paths for movers creates obvious issues. But even smaller oversights like inadequate parking, supplies not on hand, and furniture disassembly not complete can torpedo the schedule. Trying to hurriedly handle overlooked tasks amidst the chaos almost guarantees problems.
Moving day demands military-level planning and execution. Mapping out detailed schedules, timelines, equipment, and responsibilities ensures an orderly and timely transition. Leave nothing to chance so movers and helpers can work efficiently. Disorganization and confusion moving day prolongs stress and frustration.
Not Changing Insurance Policies
Relocating to a new home means your insurance needs likely change, but many overlook updating their policies. Your previous coverage may not apply fully to the new location or residence. Failing to revise homeowner’s, auto, medical, life and other policies to fit your new situation can cause major problems if you need to file claims down the road.
You may be alarmingly underinsured without adjustments tailored to where you moved. Review all policies as soon as possible to correct limits, details and costs. Don’t lose money and peace of mind by assuming existing insurance will suffice post-move. Consult agents to ensure optimal, seamless coverage.
Wrap-up
Home Relocating is already stressful without piling on unnecessary headaches. Save yourself trouble by avoiding these common mistakes – not hiring movers, failing to declutter, lacking a budget, improper packing, not updating details, disorganization on moving day, and inadequate insurance. Stay organized, plan thoroughly, use experts, and be proactive with changes to make your next move smooth instead of chaotic. Follow these tips and you can sit back confidently rather than scrambling reactively. With vigilance, foresight and the right help, you can steer clear of many typical relocation pitfalls and breeze through your upcoming move.
FAQs
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What are some of the most common mistakes people make when relocating homes?
Some of the most common home relocation mistakes include not hiring professional movers, failing to declutter possessions beforehand, not budgeting adequately, improper packing techniques, forgetting to update addresses, poor planning for moving day, and not updating insurance policies.
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Why is decluttering important before shifting houses?
Decluttering before moving is important because it reduces the number of items to pack, load, transport and unload. This saves time and money in the moving process. Getting rid of excess clutter also frees up more space in the new home. Relocating with lots of unused possessions often just transfers mess to the new residence.
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How can a moving budget help with relocation?
Having a well-planned moving budget helps anticipate all the potential costs and expenses associated with relocating to a new home. This avoids financial stress when surprise bills come up. A budget also allows strategic planning to optimize and save on shifting costs. It provides peace of mind that the move will be affordable.
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What risks are associated with packing possessions incorrectly?
The main risks of improper packing are damage to belongings, breakage, spills and loss of items during transit. Using unsuitable packing materials or methods leads to tears, dents, cracks and scratches. Inadequate cushioning and loose packing causes collisions and shifts. Poor labeling creates confusion unloading. Overall, bad packing jeopardizes possessions.
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How can updating details prevent hassles when moving?
Forgetting to change addresses and contacts results in mailed items and communications getting lost or delayed. This causes frustrations dealing with discontinued services, unreceived deliveries and missed messages. Proactively updating details prevents headaches resulting from severed ties and interrupted correspondence after relocating.
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Why review insurance policies after changing residence?
Insurance needs often change when moving to a new home. Existing policies may not provide optimal coverage for the new location and residence. Reviewing and revising policies ensures you don’t end up alarmingly underinsured. Updated insurance prevents major problems if claims arise at the new home.
