Essential Packing Tips for a Smooth Move in 2024
Moving to a new home is an exciting yet often overwhelming experience. Between packing, coordinating movers, and handling all the last-minute details, there are many opportunities for things to go wrong. Unfortunately, these missteps can turn what should be a smooth transition into a stressful situation. In this guide, we’ll cover the 10 most common moving mistakes in 2024 and how to avoid them, ensuring your move goes as smoothly as possible.
1. Underestimating the Time Needed to Prepare
One of the most frequent mistakes people make when moving is underestimating how long the entire process takes. Packing an entire household, sorting through belongings, and making travel arrangements all require more time than you might think. Waiting until the last minute to start packing can lead to rushed, unorganized efforts that leave you stressed out on moving day.
How to Avoid It: Start planning your move at least eight weeks in advance. Create a moving checklist with a timeline, breaking down tasks like packing, hiring movers, and setting up utilities at your new home. Tackle one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
2. Not Decluttering Before Packing
Packing up every single item in your home, even those you no longer need or use, is a common mistake. This can lead to higher moving costs (due to more boxes and weight) and clutter in your new home. Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter and get rid of things that no longer serve you.
How to Avoid It: Before you even start packing, go through your belongings and separate them into three categories: keep, donate, or discard. Be ruthless with your decision-making, and get rid of anything that hasn’t been used in the last year. Sell valuable items online or donate them to charity.
3. Not Researching Moving Companies
Not all moving companies are created equal, and failing to thoroughly research movers can lead to a disastrous experience. Whether it’s unreliable service, hidden fees, or damaged items, choosing the wrong movers can make your move more stressful and costly than necessary.
How to Avoid It: Always take the time to research moving companies before hiring. Read reviews, ask for recommendations, and verify that the company is licensed and insured. Request multiple quotes and ask for a detailed breakdown of costs to avoid any hidden fees.
4. Forgetting to Label Boxes
One of the most frustrating mistakes when moving is forgetting to label boxes or not being specific with your labeling. This can lead to confusion during the unpacking process, especially when you need to find essential items quickly.
How to Avoid It: Label each box with the room it belongs to and a brief description of its contents (e.g., “Kitchen – Pots and Pans” or “Bedroom – Winter Clothes”). For added convenience, you can even use color-coded labels or digital tracking apps that generate QR codes to scan and track your boxes.
5. Overpacking Boxes
It’s tempting to cram as much as possible into each box to save space, but overpacking can lead to damage or even injury. Boxes that are too heavy are difficult to move and are more likely to break open, damaging your belongings in the process.
How to Avoid It: Use smaller boxes for heavy items like books and kitchenware, and larger boxes for lighter items like bedding and clothing. Keep boxes under 50 pounds to ensure they are easy to carry and less likely to fall apart.
6. Not Securing a Moving Day Plan
A poorly planned moving day can quickly turn chaotic. If you don’t have a clear plan for how everything will be transported, who will help, and how long it will take, you’ll be left scrambling to figure things out last minute.
How to Avoid It: Confirm all details with your movers at least a week before your move. Make sure you know what time they’ll arrive, how long the process will take, and what items (if any) you need to transport yourself. Have a backup plan in case of unexpected delays, such as traffic or bad weather.
7. Not Packing an Essentials Box
On moving day, it’s easy to forget that you’ll need certain items immediately upon arriving at your new home. Many people make the mistake of packing these essentials with the rest of their belongings, which means they’ll have to dig through boxes to find what they need.
How to Avoid It: Pack a separate box or bag with essential items you’ll need for the first 24-48 hours. This should include toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, medications, phone chargers, snacks, and anything else you might need before you’ve had a chance to unpack.
8. Forgetting to Notify Important Parties of Your Move
It’s easy to forget to update your address with important institutions like banks, insurance companies, and utilities. Failing to notify these parties can lead to missed bills, service interruptions, or complications with receiving mail at your new address.
How to Avoid It: Make a list of all the parties you need to notify of your address change. This includes your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, the post office, utility companies, and any subscriptions you have (such as streaming services or magazines). Aim to update your address at least two weeks before moving day.
9. Neglecting to Measure Your New Space
A common mistake is not measuring your new home before the move. You may find that certain furniture or large appliances don’t fit through doorways or don’t fit in the intended spaces, causing headaches on moving day.
How to Avoid It: Before moving, visit your new home and measure all doorways, hallways, and rooms. Make sure that your larger items will fit through entryways and in their designated spaces. If something won’t fit, plan ahead by selling or donating the item or arranging for it to be disassembled and reassembled after the move.
10. Forgetting to Factor in Moving Costs Beyond the Basics
Many people assume that the cost of moving is limited to hiring movers and buying packing supplies. However, there are often additional expenses that get overlooked, such as fuel surcharges, extra insurance, or tips for the movers.
How to Avoid It: Create a moving budget that includes all possible costs, from packing materials to tipping the movers. Ask your moving company about any potential hidden fees, such as charges for stairs, long-distance carrying, or delays. Having a financial cushion will help you manage any unexpected costs that arise during the process.
Avoiding Moving Mistakes for a Smooth Transition
Moving can be stressful, but by being aware of these common mistakes and taking steps to avoid them, you can significantly reduce the challenges involved. Planning ahead, staying organized, and choosing the right moving company will make your move more manageable and less overwhelming. With careful preparation, you’ll be able to enjoy the excitement of settling into your new home without unnecessary stress or setbacks.
