12 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving
By Relocation.com Staff
Moving isn’t easy – but if you don’t do some planning, it is easy to make mistakes.
People who are moving tend to make the same types of flubs. Here’s a list of what they are, and how you can avoid making them.
1. Not having a plan - Moving is complicated. It involves myriad activities and tasks that need to be coordinated to bring it all together. Without a plan, you will not have a full sense of what you need to accomplish, what help you will need and how you will go forward to get everything done.
2. Not creating a budget – Hiring a moving company can be a substantial part of your moving budget. If you are moving from a large residence or moving a long distance, you will likely incur moving services into the thousands of dollars. Understand how these costs fit into your overall budget, which will include travel to your new home, auto transport, temporary living expenses, insurance, etc.
3. Not recognizing moving’s busy season - Moving companies, particularly the good ones, get very busy in the summer. So the more you plan ahead, the greater the chance you’ll be able to line up a mover, and get the best moving deal. The best deals for moving are likely to be found during the winter and during the second and third weeks of the month -- many renters will be leaving their residences at the beginning of the month when most leases are signed, so this creates a lot of demand for moving services then.
4. Not getting estimates from several moving companies - The surest way to overpay for moving services is to not shop around. Moving companies compete with each other every day, so they know their competition. Let them tell you why they are the best choice for you and get the information you need to make the right comparison and right choice for you. See this article for other ways on having a smooth and stress-free move.
5. Choosing a mover that lowballs – Quality movers tend to price their services in a reasonable pricing band. If one company prices its services significantly outside this band (25-40% less than other estimates), watch for two things: their estimates aren’t based on the same set of criteria -- weight, men and hours needed, etc. – as their competitors, or, even worse, you get a host of unexpected charges at the end of your move. Moving companies have similar costs for a move -- moving labor, packing supplies, driver time, gas – so if someone is way outside of the other prices being offered, question why.
6. Not getting a binding estimate – Never let someone start your move without a written contact that indicates what services you will be receiving and how much you will be paying for them. If you do not feel comfortable with the moving estimate or the contract, don't sign it. Follow your instincts -- if something does not seem right, don't risk it.
7. Failing to disclose everything to the moving company – Maybe your apartment is on the fourth floor of a building with no elevator; maybe you actually DO want to move that metal shelving unit in the basement; maybe the street your new home is on is just a wee bit too small for the moving van. None of these obstacles is insurmountable, but they WILL make your move more expensive; if you don’t tell the mover about them, you will be charged for it later.
8. Not understanding your insurance options – During a move, things can go wrong. In most cases, your household items will not be covered under your current homeowners' or renters' insurance policy. Moving companies will provide released valuation protection if you do not pay for or elect supplemental insurance. Depending on the state, this coverage will only pay you 60 cents per pound if something is broken or damaged. So if your 300-pound plasma television would be insured for $180, not the $3,000 that you paid for it. If you want full value protection, purchase this coverage from your moving company or a reputable third party insurance carrier.
** Click here for more information on buying moving insurance **
9. Assuming it is easier and cheaper to move yourself – It isn't easy packing all of your items correctly, loading them into a truck and driving this truck to your new residence: It might take you longer than you expected, it will cost much more than you estimated, and you probably won't be as happy with the outcome when it is over. Quality moving companies give very specific training to their moving crews and foremen that provide them with proven, best practices and techniques to best pack and transport your items.
10. Not transporting your most valuable items yourself – Always carry important documents with you when you move -- items such as passports, wills, and financial documents. Other high value items such as jewelry and watches that can be easily transported should also be hand carried. Always back up your computer files just in case something happens to the computer in route. If you have an especially valuable or prized item (such as an antique or artwork), make absolutely sure that you oversee the packing. If you have any concerns with the way something is being packed, ask the movers for additional protection.
11. Not carefully checking the moving inventory – This document is your proof that items that were packed from your residence made it on the truck. Go through this document carefully and make sure that you verify that everything was packed and put on the truck. When your items arrive at your new residence, review the inventory checklist to make sure everything that you verified previously found its way to your new home. Taking the time to go through the inventory saves you countless hassles as you try to remember what you had and had not packed.
12. Treating your movers poorly – Your movers will be loading your possessions onto a truck, driving them hundreds of miles, and then unloading them in your new home. It pays to treat them with respect. Being a mover is a tough job – it combines heavy physical strain with the need for a gentle touch. Nothing changes the likelihood that your move won't go well than treating your movers badly. A glass of lemonade, a warm greeting and thank you really go a long way.
RELATED STORIES:
A Lucky 13 List of Ways to Cut Your Moving Costs
Questions That You Must Ask Your Mover
** Need Boxes for Your Move? You Can Order Them Online and Get Them Delivered the Next Day **
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