Common Moving Day Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Moving is full of bustling activity, a flurry of to-do lists, and high stress. Amidst all the confusion and hustle, it’s easy to forget to pack your prized crystal wineglasses as carefully as you should, only to hear a sickening shatter when you pick up the box. As one of West Palm Beach’s oldest moving companies, we’ve got four generations of packing know-how. Today, we’re going to walk you through some of the most common moving mistakes – and how you can avoid making them.

Failure to Properly Wrap or Pack Belongings

It’s easy to forget the basic rules of moving if you haven’t done it in a while (or ever before). Carefully consider how you’re packing your valuables. Will a box full of books be too heavy to be safely moved? Have you taped the bottom of the box that’s going to hold your cherished collection of coffee mugs? If a storage bin is packed to the brim with breakables, there’s a good chance they could crack when a heavier box is placed on top. Make sure you think about the second and third-order effects of how you pack your belongings, and when in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Wait – Did We Pack That Already?

You’re going to need some essentials when you move to your new place. Make sure you set aside whatever you’ll need for at least the first few days in your new home, like pajamas, some changes of clothing, personal toiletries, medications, and toilet paper. That way, you’ll avoid the moment of panic when you arrive at the new house and realize you must climb through stacks of boxes to get to what you need for the evening.

Got Utilities?

You’ve packed everything carefully, cleaned the house before you left, and successfully arrived at your new home – only to realize you have no electricity or running water. Schedule your new utilities a few weeks before your move date and let your current utility companies know that you’ll be transferring or changing services. Don’t forget to forward your mail, either!

Can’t Throw That Out

It’s easy to hold onto items that hold precious and cherished memories, but what about that chair you picked up at a garage sale three years ago, just because you thought the print was fun? Moving is a perfect time to go through what you have and sell or donate what you no longer want to bring with you. Not only will you have less to pack and transport, but you’ll be able to choose items that compliment your new space once you’re all settled in.

Mystery Boxes

Now, where did you pack that blender? Packing without labeling is an easy mistake to make, but it can take months to sort out. Label boxes as you go. When it’s time to unpack, you’ll know exactly where everything is, as well as which boxes might need to be unpacked first.

We’ve Got Plenty of Time to Pack…Right?

The best moving company on the planet won’t be able to help much if you’re still trying to pack up most of the house on moving day. Start packing as soon as you’re able – for some people, this can begin the moment they decide to put their old house up for sale. If you’re moving from a rented residence, you should start packing no later than a month before moving day.

Wait – Who’s Watching the Kids and Dog?

Moving is a stressful time for everyone but can be especially so for small children and family pets. A scared pet might decide to bolt for the open door, and an unsupervised toddler could wander right into the path of a grown-up carrying something heavy. Arrange in advance for a sitter to keep everyone safe and as relaxed as possible.

How Are We Going to Move All This?

Occasionally, we’ll get a call from someone who forgot to book a moving company…for their move in two days. As you begin the packing process, make sure you know how – or who – is going to move all of it. If you need to put some items into storage, shop around and find a facility that offers either the short or long-term storage you need, and move those items in first. That way, you’ll have less to worry about on moving day.

If you’re still looking for a company to handle your upcoming move, consider partnering with U & Me Moving. We’re experienced in both local moves and cross-country relocations, and we operate our own storage facility to offer our customers the best possible care for their belongings.

Request a free moving estimate online or give us a call at (561) 832-6156.