Moving from one location to another takes time, effort, and money—and it usually involves a lot of stress. To make your move a little easier, our team at Affordable Quality Moving and Storage has listed common moving mistakes you can avoid with a little effort. If you want a stress-free move, our Southern California movers can help you pack and unpack, move, and store your belongings so you don’t have to.
9 Common Moving Mistakes
Mistake #1: Not Decluttering
If you have been collecting items over the years—books, clothing, mugs, or knick-knacks—you may think there’s no harm in taking all these items with you to your new home. Bringing everything with you, however, can make packing take a lot longer. It can also make your move cost more because your belongings will be heavier and will take up more space in the truck. There’s no need to bring items to your new home that you no longer need or use—unless they have special meaning to you.
Before you start packing, spend a few days going through your belongings and identifying items you haven’t used in the last year or two. Not only is it nice to get rid of unnecessary clutter, but it will also save you time, money, and effort when you move.
Interested in learning more? Check out our blog: Decluttering Before Your Move.
Mistake #2: Procrastinating
Moving requires a lot of time and planning. It’s a common mistake to wait until the last minute to pack, resulting in major headaches and stress. We recommend you get started early by creating a checklist and ensuring you don’t forget anything in all the chaos and excitement. Once you’ve listed everything that needs to be done, don’t wait to start! Begin decluttering and packing items that you won’t need before you move. The earlier you get started, the less you’ll have to do in the coming weeks as you prepare to move. Spreading out the work over time can make moving so much easier.
Wondering where to start? Check out our Ultimate Moving Checklist!
Mistake #3: Packing the Wrong Way
Packing is the most labor-intensive part of a move. You’ll need to box up everything you own, and this can take time. Even if you get started early, if you don’t use the right type of supplies or pack something incorrectly, it may be damaged during your move. Another common mistake is spending too much on packing materials. There is a right way to pack, and if you are going to do it yourself, you also need to make sure you have the right materials.
At Affordable Quality Moving and Storage, we offer complete packing and unpacking services, and we can pack as many or as few of your belongings as you want. Our professional packers know how to protect and pack the most fragile, cumbersome, and heavy items so they will be safe during transit.
Find out more by reading our blog: Packing Tips for Moving.
Mistake #4: Forgetting to Take Inventory
Another common moving mistake is forgetting to take inventory and label boxes. In the rush to get everything done, some people pack all their belongings and soon realize that they don’t know which box has their shoes or which one has their kitchenware. We recommend numbering your boxes by room and labeling their contents. We also recommend making a master list of all your boxes and their contents, which you can refer to at any time when you need to find something. Taking inventory will save you time when you unpack and will help you ensure that nothing is left behind or misplaced.
Mistake #5. Forgetting to Measure
One of the most exciting things about moving is setting up your new space. Unfortunately, if you forget to measure, you may find yourself in a situation where your couch doesn’t fit through the door, you don’t have enough room for your favorite armchair in the living room, or where you can’t set up your bedroom the way you had envisioned.
In addition to measuring your new place, be sure you measure any furniture you’re bringing with you. You should also measure doors and hallways to make sure you can move your furniture out of your existing house and into the new one. The worst time to find out that a couch won’t fit down a hall is while you (or the movers) are actually carrying it.
Mistake #6. Forgetting to Pack an Essentials Bag
Forgetting to pack an essentials bag is another common moving mistake. When you’re moving, you will need to have access to important things like medication, clothes, and toiletries. Whether you’re moving locally or long-distance, you may need a few days’ worth of these things while you’re transitioning from one home to another. We recommend packing luggage as though you were going on a trip for a few days. What things would you need? Pack them, and they’ll be accessible when you need them.
Mistake #7: Forgetting to Notify the Post Office
Another common moving error is not notifying the post office. Head to the post office’s website and fill out a change of address form. You can do this ahead of time and make the Effective Date the day of your move. Changing your address is one of the most important parts of moving, as it will prevent you from missing important bills and documents, plus allow friends and family to stay in touch.
Click here to read our blog: How to Change Your Address When You Move.
Mistake #8: Trying to Do Everything Yourself
Sometimes, it may seem that renting a truck and convincing friends and family to help will limit moving costs. However, moving yourself will still cost money, headaches, muscle strains, and stress. A reliable moving company can provide you with professional protection for your valuables, liability coverage, and insurance. The team at Affordable Quality Moving and Storage can help you pack, unpack, and transport your belongings. We offer affordable and reliable packages that save you money and stress!
Don’t be afraid to enlist friends and family members to help in other ways, like watching your kids on moving day or helping with decluttering or unpacking. There is a lot to do, and trying to do everything yourself can cause more stress in the long run.
Mistake #9: Not Finding a Reputable Moving Company
Going with the first moving company you find may not be the best idea in the long run. Moving scams are too common in Southern California, and if you hire an unethical moving company, they could charge you upfront, load your belongings in the truck, and then demand a higher payment before they’ll deliver. Do your research, get multiple quotes, and choose a moving company that is licensed, insured, and has good reviews.
Southern California Moving Experts You Can Trust!
Moving requires a lot of time and preparation. Focus on preparing for your move and prevent mistakes by letting Affordable Quality Moving and Storage take care of packing and transporting your belongings. Our team of professionals is licensed, trained, and ready to help your move be an easy one! We’ve handled local, international, out-of-state, and long-distance moves for customers throughout Southern California for well over 20 years, and we are committed to providing the best service. Our offices are conveniently located in Santa Clarita, Temecula, Burbank, and San Diego to serve all of SoCal.
Contact our professional Santa Clarita movers today at (661) 622-2636 for a free estimate!
