Are you stressed about moving to another house? Relocating to another state or overseas tends to be overbearing for most people due to the fear of the unknown and the uncertain future or starting life in a new place.
Therefore, individuals are under a lot of pressure while getting prepared for relocation. The pressure of organizing every single step often results in making time-consuming and pricey mistakes, such as hiring an inexperienced mover, investing in no insurance, not receiving an estimate, having no packing plan, forgetting to put labels on the boxes, etc. Even minor mistakes can seem huge on the date set for moving, having the power to ruin the entire day.
These are the top mistakes to avoid when relocating to a new home.
Not researching moving companies
The plethora of local moving companies doesn’t mean that you should hire the first company name that comes up during your online research. Instead of just looking at the names of different movers, request referrals, check review pages, get recommendations, etc. You are never supposed to commit to a moving company unless you have done extensive research on its experience and reputation.
Moreover, check the official site of the US department of transportation in order to see whether the mover has a USDOT number. Such a number has to be issued by this department to a moving company to allow it to operate in compliance with the legal regulations.
Checking the American Moving & Storage Association is another way to ensure you are doing business with an established mover. The members of this association are certified, trained, and compliant with federal transportation safety regulations. Read here about the history, membership, and program of the American Moving & Storage Association.
Not getting an in-home estimate
Another common mistake homeowners make is not asking for an in-home estimate, which gives movers an opportunity to alter the relocation cost as they see fit. An estimator is supposed to be sent to your home in order to assess the weight and size of the load, as well as discuss any specific requirements regarding packing, unpacking, or storage. You are expected to show each item you plan to ship to the estimator in order for him/her to make a complete inventory.
Furthermore, beware of moving companies offering over-the-phone or e-mail estimates, as these aren’t trustworthy. There’s no way for a mover to estimate the relocation cost based on your inventory list dictated over the phone. These professionals are supposed to take measurements of your possessions, as it’s the only way for them to provide a correct price quote. Weight measurements are especially important in the case of long-distance relocation, where the cost depends on the weight of each item.
After analyzing your load, the estimator is expected to provide you with a written estimate including all relevant details. A minimum of three quotes should be obtained for a better comparison of the rates of different moving companies.
Having no moving checklist
In order for your residential move to be stress-free, you are supposed to create a moving checklist, which would assist you in managing every phase of the journey. The checklist is supposed to include tasks starting eight weeks before the move till one month after moving into your new house or apartment. Check out this link, https://www.wikihow.com/Plan-a-Move, for some tips on how to plan a move.
For instance, according to the checklist, you are encouraged to start researching moving companies, pay a visit to the new neighborhood, research schools, and plan your budget two months before the move. During the fourth week prior to moving, you need to start packing, whereas the week after would be the right time to contact your utility service provider so as to transfer utilities.
In the week prior to the move, make sure your existing home is cleaned properly and pack kitchenware. On relocation day, take inventory and have one last look at the house in order not to leave anything behind. The checklist should include plenty of tasks that are to be done in the course of the first month after the move, such as cleaning the new place, changing the locks, exploring the neighborhood, introducing yourself to the neighbors, hiring an electrician and pest control professionals to conduct an inspection, etc.
Having no moving checklist means wasting unnecessary time and stressing about your inability to perform tasks on time. A residential relocation is an event of great importance, which means every homeowner is expected to have a strategy to provide him/her with guidance throughout the phases.
Having no packing plan
Since packing is an essential aspect of relocation, it has to be performed in accordance with a plan. The sooner you start abiding by your plan, the greater the likelihood of completing the task before moving day. Packing should be started a month before relocation in order to avoid delays and feel no pressure along the way.
Nevertheless, not all homeowners are willing to adhere to a packing schedule and spend a few hours per day on packing items in boxes. There is a myriad of high-end movers in NYC specializing in packing books, linen, kitchenware, clothes, and office supplies. Hiring a mover that provides both transportation and packing of belongings is a great alternative for everyone who has neither the time nor the willingness to pack items one month in advance.
Deciding to use the packing services of a moving company means that you should notify the mover about your decision when making an estimate. Hence, the company will include the price of this extra service in the estimate and schedule the arrival of its workers a few days before the move.
Paying for no additional insurance
Another costly mistake individuals make when moving house is not investing in additional insurance. Settling for the liability coverage provided by the company isn’t the wisest of decisions, given the limited compensation you’ll receive for any damage done to your possessions. The most you’ll receive as reimbursement is 60 cents per kilogram of an object, which is too low when compared to the original price.
Consequently, if your dishwasher weighs 35 kilograms, you’ll receive compensation of solely $21 for the damage done to the appliance during shipment. In order to avoid such scenarios, invest in full value protection of your most valuable belongings. In case anything gets damaged, misplaced, or lost, the mover will be held responsible for reimbursing the entire amount of the item. Discussing your insurance options with the mover is of vital importance, which is why you need to inquire about coverage at the first meeting.
Not worrying about safety on moving day
Homeowners often opt for DIY moves without considering the risk of injuries and damage done on the day of the relocation. Carrying too many items at the same time might lead to a person injuring himself/herself or dropping the belongings on the ground. Most people have no equipment for safe transportation of objects to the truck and take no safety measures to prevent property deterioration.
In contrast, movers are trained in keeping clients’ homes undamaged throughout the process. They use dollies with wheels made from soft rubber to prevent the floors from getting scratched. Also, they ensure no obstacles are present on the paths they use to exit the house, as well as advise homeowners to ask someone to look after their kids and pets.
Utmost safety can be guaranteed solely by trusting your residential move in the hands of professionals. No one forces you to use any of the extra services that increase the cost but those related to carrying the items to the truck and delivering them to the prearranged location.
Not packing the essentials
Forgetting to pack a bag of essentials is yet another common mistake people make when relocating. You’ll be needing some necessary items on the day of the trip, as well as after arriving at the new address. There’s no way for you to unpack all the belongings once moving inside the house, which complicates the search for particular objects.
Instead of opening every single box while looking for a charger or clothes, why not pack a bag or a small suitcase with essentials. The bag is supposed to contain a couple of garments, toiletries, chargers, and medicine. Additionally, individuals are advised against leaving their most valuable objects inside the truck, such as the wallet, car keys, and important paperwork.
Not labeling the boxes
Homeowners usually get so overwhelmed by packing that they forget to label the boxes after putting all the objects inside. Remember to add a label to each box describing the type of objects, the room where these should go, and their fragile nature. Sparing no more than an hour on writing labels would substantially reduce the time spent on unpacking.
Final word
Organizing this process to the best of your abilities will save you time and money. It will also help in reducing stress!
