This can be an exciting time but for many, moving can also be incredibly stressful, particularly if you make any of the following mistakes in your moving journey.
From damaged belongings to lack of adequate packing supplies, these common moving mistakes can be easily avoided with just a bit of planning and organisation in the weeks leading up to the move.
We spoke to the team at Plains Removals and they told us that the most common mistakes people make when trying to move house can be split between two main categories: Packing & Planning.
As a reputable moving company with over 40 years of experience, the interstate removalists at Plains Removals have quite literally “seen it all”.
These guys know what it takes to ensure a smooth move with minimum effort, cost and stress and they were kind enough to share their moving advice for this article.
Packing Mistakes
Not Enough Packing Supplies
It can be difficult to estimate just how many boxes and other packing supplies you will really need to move all of your belongings, and this will depend on many factors such as the size of your home and how much stuff you have.
Many packing supply companies have box calculators which can be a decent guide to the number of boxes you may need, but in any case, it’s a good idea to start saving and collecting cardboard boxes and plastic tubs in advance to ensure you don’t run out.
Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are great options for finding free moving boxes however it’s important to note they’ve been used and may be structurally weaker.
You can purchase new moving boxes and other supplies such as large linen and pillow bags, mattress covers, bubble wrap, tape, markers and plastic sheeting from various shops and stores (e.g. Bunnings, Mitre 10, Kmart, Woolworths & Coles) to ensure you are properly protecting your things and will have enough to pack up all of your belongings.
Starting to pack at the wrong time
This common moving mistake is two-pronged – you can either start to pack too early or you can start your packing too late. Neither option is recommended and can cause unnecessary headaches.
Starting your packing too early in advance can ultimately lead to double-handling your items and lacking the space to store your packed goods while waiting for moving day.
While you might be excited to move, there’s nothing more annoying than having to go through a packed box looking for an item that you’ve already packed up. If you’re set on starting your packing early, then only pack things that you know you will not need before the move.
On the other side of the coin, starting to pack too late is a recipe for disaster as you often don’t realise how long it can really take to pack all of your things.
Your schedule is already full with planning your move and other commitments such as work and family, so adding a time-consuming job like packing to the mix can be a struggle for many.
You also don’t want to have to rush your packing and do a poor job of it, as this is how belongings get damaged in transit, you forget to label things or you don’t get the time to do a cleanout beforehand.
Not Packing Your Belongings Properly
As mentioned above, if you’ve left things last minute or have short notice to move house, it’s common for your things to be improperly packed. This unfortunately can lead to more breakages and damaged items.
To avoid this issue, ensure you:
- Properly wrap fragile items with bubble wrap, paper, blankets or towels and ensure there are no gaps around the items that could cause a break
- Label your fragile items properly so anyone handling the box will know to take care with it
- Avoid packing heavy items such as books together with delicate or breakable items.
- Remove any batteries as these could corrode or the item may switch on during the move.
Lack of Decluttering Ahead of Time
Decluttering and getting rid of junk is an important part of the moving process – whether you’re moving into a smaller place or not, its not worth the time and resources (and ultimately, the cost) to bring over every single item from your old house when you will just be getting rid of it anyway.
Whether it’s old clothes, old paperwork, unused appliances or toys, decluttering and downsizing your belongings is essential to a smooth move.
It’s worth sorting through your things and creating some piles as you pack:
- Things to keep
- Things to sell or donate
- Things to throw away
You’d be surprised at how many things you can clear out and ultimately avoid having to cart over to the new place.
You didn’t pack an essentials box/bag for the first night
This is often overlooked and is something that you will thank yourself for time and time again! It’s unlikely you’ll be able to unpack everything you need on the first night in your new home.
Do yourself a favour and have a few essential items on hand and ready to use for your first night. This includes:
- Change of clothing and toiletries
- Items for a shower & clean towel
- Toilet paper
- Couple of plates, cups, cutlery etc for food
- Hand wash and tea towel
- Phone chargers
- Water/snacks/food
- Basic medication/first aid kit
- Important documents you may need
- Items for pets and kids (ideally, kids should have their own essentials bag as well)
Your Boxes Weren’t Labelled
We mentioned above the importance of labelling boxes with fragile items, but there’s a little more to it if you want to ensure a smooth move.
It’s a good idea to label each box with the room it belongs in as well as a general list of items inside to help you (and your removalists) know which room to place the box in when it comes to the big day.
This means you can tackle the task of unpacking more efficiently instead of having to open each box to figure out what’s inside.
Planning Mistakes
Not Being Ready on The Day of The Move
There are a myriad of reasons you may not be ready on the day of move, from starting to pack too late or underestimating how much time you really need to get things ready.
This can cause issues especially if you’ve hired a removalist who needs to stick to a schedule.
Also, removalists will often have a set method in which they stack their truck, with bulky furniture and large items going in first, followed by boxes and odd-shaped items after.
Prior to their arrival, it’s important to:
- Ensure all of your boxes are already sealed and labelled correctly
- Ensure that all of your cabinets, draws and shelves are empty – your removalists will not move draws that are full of items.
- Have large items such as bed frames, shelves and desks dismantled where possible.
- Ensure your fridge and freezer is empty and all other appliances are unplugged and ready to go.
Not Organising Your Power, Internet or Other Utilities
We know there’s a lot of things to sort out when moving house, but if you want to avoid your first few nights in the new home without any power or internet, it’s imperative you transfer all of your utilities in advance to minimise disruption.
This includes things like electricity, water, gas and internet.
In addition to this, set up a mail redirection with Australia Post so that you can then take your time updating your address and avoid missing any important mail.
Not Booking Your Removalist Early Enough
This is often a task that gets put off but if you don’t hire your removalist company early enough, they might not be available at the time or date that you need them.
We recommend finding and booking in our removalists at least 6 weeks in advance to ensure you get the right team at the right time. However, if you’re not able to do so (such as due to short notice or other factors), contact a local removal company ahead of time and see if they can accommodate you for a move on short notice.
You Didn’t Hire a Reputable Moving Company.
It can be difficult to decide on a moving company and oftentimes people will base their decision purely on cost: who can provide me with the cheapest quote?
Unfortunately, while you might think you’re getting a great ‘deal’, typically you end up with an unreliable, unprofessional and inexperienced removalist.
While some removalists may cost a little more, it’s important to understand that you are ultimately paying for their expertise, equipment, and a team of moving professionals who will take great care of your possessions, arrive on time and have the right insurance and policies in place to protect your assets in the event something does go wrong.
So while it makes sense to obtain a few quotes from different removalists, don’t base your decision on the cost alone – check out their customer reviews, read the fine print and make sure you choose a reputable moving company to help you.
You Thought You Could Do It on Your Own
Moving is a huge task, both physically and mentally, and while some people can do it on their own with the help of a few friends, this isn’t always the case.
You might have plenty of time and be able to spend a week or so going back and forth between your previous home and the new place but have you considered the cost of fuel, time and overall effort required to undertake such a task on your own?
This is not to mention the fact that you may be moving a little further away, or interstate, where multiple trips are not possible.
Avoid Moving Mistakes by Talking to A Professional Removalist
Ensure a smooth process when you next move house by considering a professional removalist to assist with your move.
Enlisting the help of a professional removal company will save you both time and energy, leaving you to sort out the myriad of other tasks involved in moving house, such as packing/unpacking, cleaning, changing your address and sorting your utilities, to name a few.
