Pobody’s nerfect… We all make mistakes, particularly when it comes to a task that’s as complicated and time-consuming as moving house. You might have thought the ultra-competitive process of finding a home to buy or rent was stressful, but actually moving can be chaos if you don’t get it right.
So, to help you out, we thought we’d compile a list of the most common moving mistakes we see in the field and give you expert guidance on how to avoid them. Read on to discover how to make your house move safe, smooth, and efficient.
Top 7 Moving Mistakes to Avoid
1. Picking a Bad Moving Day
Most people choose to move house on a Friday. It’s understandable – by moving on Friday you give yourself the weekend to start unpacking and settle in. But this can cause issues.
First, because Fridays are such a popular moving day, you might find your chosen removal service is all booked up, meaning you have to opt for a less reliable service.
The last Friday of the month is particularly popular which can cause even more problems as banks are already stretched on this day. You may see delays in money transfers, leaving your new landlord or the seller’s conveyancer unpaid.
The simple solution is to opt for a weekday move. And if you really wish to move on a Friday, make sure you book your removal company well in advance so you definitely bag a spot.
2. Frantic Last-Minute Packing
With so much to do when you’re preparing to move home, from switching utilities to contacting your bank, packing may slide down the priority list. But packing at the last minute just causes more stress.
You may not realise how much stuff you have to move on the day, delaying your move as you finish putting all your bits and bobs in boxes. Plus, unorganised packing makes unpacking much more difficult. When you pack haphazardly, items from different rooms or different family members’ belongings get all jumbled up.
Our packing advice:
- Declutter your home way in advance as there’s no need to take the stuff sitting at the back of the cupboard with you.
- Start packing the items that you don’t use frequently as soon as possible, ideally several weeks in advance.
- Label boxes according to room. Extra organised people can keep an inventory of boxes and even what’s in each box.
- Separate essential items you’ll need on the day and keep them with you in a bag – think items you’ll need easy access to right away, such as medication, your toothbrush, etc.
3. Not Packing Well Enough
Imagine turning up at your new place and finding out your TV screen has a crack in it, your favourite mug is smashed, or your plant babies are looking worse for wear. This can happen if you do a slapdash job of your packing.
It’s a good idea to prepare well before you move by having plenty of packing materials. If you run out of boxes, you may over-pack the ones you have which will likely damage the goods inside as you squish items in.
Also, be sure to take care of fragile items. Packing supplies such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, packing paper, and so on are cheap and easy to get hold of, after all.
4. Trying to Do It All Yourself
One of the most common house moving mistakes is thinking you can do all the heavy lifting yourself and causing an injury. Pulled backs, strained muscles, and sore wrists are more likely to happen when you overdo it and/or lift heavy items incorrectly.
Professional movers have advanced manual handling training. Believe us, there’s more to it than just “lifting with your knees”. The pros understand the risks associated with moving different items, how to spot hazards, what precautions to take when moving certain items, what equipment to use to help, how to communicate well to keep everyone safe, and so on.
5. Leaving Bulky Furniture in One Piece
Tables, chairs, sofas, units, and the like can be incredibly awkward to move in one piece. Not to mention the fact that you risk scraping the walls of your lovely new place and damaging the furniture by trying to squeeze it in. It’s also more likely you’ll injure yourself when you try to move big bulky items.
So, before you move, take measurements of the doorways in your previous dwelling and your new one. Then when you measure furniture, you’ll have an understanding of whether it needs to be taken apart for the move or not. If you don’t have the time or capabilities, movers will be able to disassemble furniture quickly and safely.
6. Forgetting to Organise a Parking Space for the Removals Van
The last thing you want on moving day is to turn up at your new abode, excited and ready to go, only to find you can’t get to your front door as the road is packed with cars.
Travel the route in advance to see if there are any potential issues. Figure out where it would be easiest for a removal van to park and how close you can get to the house or apartment building.
When you know what access is like, you can have a chat with your removal company and come up with solutions if accessing the property is difficult. Perhaps, there isn’t room for one heavy vehicle and you need to split your wares into two smaller vans, for example.
It might be a good idea to set up a couple of cones early in the morning to guarantee a parking space. Or talk to your neighbours and ask them kindly to give you their road space for just one day to help you move. It may even be easier to access a passageway and move goods through the back or side entrance.
7. Choosing Any Old Removal Company
Another common moving mistake, failing to do your due diligence when choosing a removal company. Here are some tips on choosing the right removal firm so that your transition goes as smoothly as possible:
- Make sure the company is insured
Choose inexperienced movers and you may find items are misplaced or broken. This is made even worse when the individuals are uninsured and you can’t get those goods replaced or your money back.
- Read customer reviews
Any company can say that they’re the best in the area but where’s the proof? One of the easiest ways to check if a company is professional and reliable is by looking at their reviews. This way you know that they’re a trusted service provider and you avoid those who don’t turn up on time, are careless with your precious items, or act unprofessionally.
- Communicate your needs
Make sure they understand the scope of the job, exactly what needs to be done, and they have the capacity to do it. The best removal companies are transparent so if there’s an issue they’ll work with you to find a solution.
- Choose an experienced team
Let’s be honest, moving house can be a stressful experience. But experienced movers can make sure the process is as smooth and efficient as it can be using their expertise.
- Make sure they’re registered with the right bodies
Legitimate, professional removal companies will be registered with certain bodies, such as the British Association of Removers and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. These bodies hold movers to high standards of safety, service, and consumer protection which can give you peace of mind.
Get Professional Help and Avoid These House Moving Mistakes
Moving house can be chaotic. With so much to think about and do, it’s no wonder we make mistakes. Yet, there are simple things you can do to make the process of moving house a lot smoother. Preparation is key.
The simplest way to avoid moving mistakes is to get help from experienced, trusted professionals. South Park Removals has been in the business for over 90 years. To get a quote, simply call our head office on 020 8478 1258 or request a call back from us today.
