What Are The Most Common Moving And Packing Mistakes People Make?

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It is very common, and even reasonable for people to get lost in the project of moving due to the fact that there are so many different things to do and remember. Making mistakes during a move is normal, but can also be very costly and stress-inducing. There are some common mistakes that people tend to make all the time, and these are the exact mistakes that you should try to avoid at all costs. 
There are so many things that can go wrong during a typical move, which is why you should sit down and think twice before doing anything – especially if you have never moved before. However, if you want to learn from other people’s mistakes and ensure you don’t make them for yourself, we have gathered a list of the most common errors people make during packing and moving.

Preparing For The Move

Underestimating The Size Of The Move

One of the most common mistakes people make is underestimating the size of their move. A lot of people seem to not be able to comprehend the fact that they are moving their entire life’s worth of belongings and that it won’t exactly be an easy process to complete.

girl sitting in front of a laptop

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Being realistic. Going through your stuff and seeing just how much there is to be moved. A three bedroom home is not the same as a studio apartment – and two movers and a truck just won’t cut it in this situation. Pick up some of your furniture and see how easily you will get fed up with moving a single thing.

Not Giving Yourself Enough Time To Pack

Goes hand in hand with underestimating your move size. If you think you’ll be able to pack up your 1800 square foot home in two days, you need to think again. Scrambling everything at the last minute can lead up to a lot of damage and downtime during your move.

Don’t Make This Mistake By… 

Giving yourself a month or so to complete the preparations for your move. Take it slow and steady, you don’t have to pack for 8 hours a day. That is the point of starting early – less stress and therefore less chance for any kind of error.

Not Being Realistic About Your Budget

Moving is expensive. Supplies and movers are expensive. Even if you are moving on your own, renting a truck and all of its other costs can all add up to the same thing in the end. It’s just up to your personal preference. No matter the decision, your budget needs to be realistic and reasonable. 

person using a calculator

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Sitting down and calculating some general moving costs briefly so you can get a better sense of what you will be paying for your entire moving experience. 

Not Making An Inventory List

An inventory list is an important thing to have in life in general, but especially during a move. Not having one can result in higher moving costs, the risk of something getting lost or stolen during the move, etc.

person making a list

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Making a Google Sheet with your entire inventory, it’s condition and value. It will be easy to file a claim after the move if something happens, and you can check your items being loaded on and off the moving truck at both locations.

Hiring Professional Movers

Not Doing Any Research

Hiring unlicensed movers can be one of the biggest mistakes you can make on the entire list. A moving scam is something you need to avoid in the beginning, as trying to get compensated later is basically a waste of your time.

girl using the laptop while on the phone

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Doing proper research! Go on Google, Yelp, BBB – you name it. Every platform is equally helpful when looking for the perfect moving company for the job. Reviews are a godsend during research times.

Hiring The First Company You Call

You don’t know what the others are offering, so hiring the first company that you happen to call for a quote can result in you not getting the best furniture moving help you can get. You might also be hiring movers with a higher price but same service than another company.

girl talking on the phone

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Calling for at least 3 different quotes so you have something to compare them to. You will get a better sense of what local moving companies near you are offering.

Hiring Your Movers Too Late

If you are looking for a Friday move and calling on a Wednesday to reserve it – it’s safe to say that you probably will not be moving on Friday. Moving companies are very busy, especially during weekends.

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Calling your moving company of choice at least 3 weeks before your move. That way, you have a better shot at availability. 

Not Preparing For Your Movers Properly

If your movers require you to be packed for their standard service and you didn’t know that you were supposed to – that can turn into a bad time pretty quickly. 

couple wrapping a couch

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Ask your professional movers what is expected of you! Is it to be fully packed, partially packed – or not packed at all. You want to be on the same page with your local movers before they arrive to help you relocate.

Packing And Prepping

Not Purchasing Moving-Specific Supplies 

Using what you have around your home is great – but only for a few types of items like clothing, shoes and toys. If you are using garbage bags and suitcases for your china and vases – that isn’t going to be the best moving experience of your life, that’s for sure.

girl packing a suitcase

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Purchasing boxes in good condition, along with bubble wrap and other moving-specific supplies that have been invented for a reason. 

Not Purchasing Enough Supplies

Going back and forth between your home and department store can be a hassle. Not to mention how much time it’s going to waste you. You don’t want to keep forgetting one specific thing to buy, or running out of boxes constantly. That is the last thing that you need.

wrapping item in wrapping paper

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Making a detailed supply list for your one and only trip to the hardware store. Write down everything you possibly can and yes – purchase extra supplies.

Overfilling Your Boxes

Five extremely heavy boxes are competing against fifteen boxes that are light as a feather – who’s winning? Overfilling your boxes can slow down your move, lead to item damage along with your boxes completely falling apart during handling.

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Packing fifteen lighter boxes instead of five excessively heavy ones! It’s as simple as that. Heavy items should be packed in small separate boxes, and generously padded before sealing the box.

Not Wrapping Your Breakables

If your plates are able to shift inside the box, the chances of them breaking are far higher than them not breaking at all. This can easily turn your moving experience into a negative one. 

How to wrap breakables with bubble wrap

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Heavily wrapping every individual piece before placing it into your box. Better safe than sorry.

Not Labeling Your Boxes

No one will have a clue what is fragile, what goes in the kitchen and which side goes up. The lack of labels on your boxes can do you a lot more harm than good – and the process of labeling isn’t that much of a time consuming one anyway.

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Simply being detailed with your box labels. Write down all relevant information, and go as far as labeling the contents of the boxes briefly on the box. You will thank yourself when you are unpacking with ease.

Leaving Your Boxes Open

Your movers will probably not move open boxes, because if they are – that is kind of a concern. Professional movers strongly advise to not leave your boxes open on the day of the move, every box needs to be closed so the items don’t start flying around the truck during transit.

person sealing a box

Don’t Make This Mistake By…

Surprise, surprise… by closing your boxes before your movers arrive.

Need Help Moving Furniture? Dallas Movers Pro Can Save The Day 

If you need help moving furniture in or around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we are one of the top local moving companies near you! No matter what kind of moving assistance you may need from us, we will be more than happy to assist you in any way possible to make it happen. Take the time to inquire about one of our many local moving services including: 

Local Movers Dallas – we can help you move in or around Dallas, no matter where you are. We serve the entire area.

Residential Movers Dallas – Home is where the heart is, and we promise to be extremely careful with it. 

Commercial Movers Dallas – Our business is to successfully move your business – and we manage to achieve that every, single time. 

Apartment Movers Dallas – Condo, high-rise, you name it! We’ve got the skill to tackle any apartment move.

Packing Service Dallas – We know how to wrap, pack and safely move your items from point A to point B. 

Furniture Movers Dallas – Our trained furniture movers know that there is no move too big or too small for their expertise!Storage In And Out Moving Dallas – We will move your belongings in and out of storage with ease.

Contact us for a free local moving quote today!

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