6 Moving Day Mishaps And How To Avoid Them
Moving is a stressful and overwhelming process, so it’s not uncommon to make a mistake that can cost you time, money and sanity. Before doing anything, create a thorough timeline that includes actionable items for each period. Flag the major items that are among the most common mishaps so you can make the transition into your new home as seamless as possible.
You Didn’t Plan The Move At The Correct Time
Choosing the correct time of the year can save you time and money. Weekdays (Monday through Thursday) are better than weekends because they’re less busy, so your mover is more likely to stay on schedule. Moving mid-month is better than the beginning or end as that’s when leases typically start. Approximately 46 million Americans move each year — 62 percent of those moves take place between May and September. When it comes down to it, the highest moving volume occurs between Memorial Day and Labor Day in the United States. According to simple laws of supply and demand, moving rates cost more during this time.
Failing To Purge
Not knowing what’s in your boxes before or after moving day can be a real hassle. As you pack, make a list of what you’re putting in each box. Number and label each box and note which room it should be placed in your new home so move-in day is less stressful. There are several home inventory apps to help you manage this process. Regardless of the move, having a comprehensive list of all your possessions is helpful in case you ever need to file a claim with your insurance company due to theft, fire or a natural disaster.
You Forget To Take Inventory
One of the most common reasons why houses are put up for sale is because of a death in the home. You should be aware of this before you buy a house, since this is also a factor contributing to the price of the property.
You Think You Can Do The Move Yourself
While some DIY moves can make sense like a small studio apartment, for example, large home moves require the help of a pro. Along with saving you time — many moving companies also offer packing services or disassembly of large furniture — it’s likely that you’ll receive liability coverage if your items get damaged or become lost in transit.
If you think you’ll be saving money for a DIY move, consider the cost of all of the materials, the moving truck (to include gas, toll, and parking fees if you’re crossing state lines) and any broken items caused from potential subpar packing.
Forgetting To Do A Change Of Address Checklist
Redirecting your mail and notifying pertinent contacts of your new address is something that should be done at least two weeks before your moving date as it can take a couple of weeks for the changeover to kick in. Make a change of address checklist so you don’t forget any federal or state agencies, utility and credit card companies, doctors, school contacts and memberships.
Being Unprepared The First Night
Make sure you pack an overnight bag with toiletries, medications, pajamas, a clean change of clothes, a child and/or pet’s favorite toy, pet food, etc. so that your first night in your new home isn’t chaotic. Make sure you have items such as credit cards, cell phone and charger and laptop on-hand, too.
Being organized is the key to any successful move. If possible, don’t rush the process and avoid procrastinating. Scrambling to get things done at the last minute is liable to result in a mistake.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
This Guest Blog was written by, Natalie Jones of http://homeownerbliss.info/