The thought of starting life in a new home is always exciting to most people as it marks a beginning of a new phase of life with promises of a better life. However, moving itself is a complex and stressful event that is likely to throw you off balance. No matter how much planning you put into it, or how knowledgeable you are in matters of moving, mistakes are bound to happen along the way.
The only way to avoid mistakes when moving is by being aware of the common ones that everyone seems to make. Here are 7 such mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Moving with clutter
Most people tend to hold on some things for so long even when it is clear that they don’t use them anymore. They will insist on carrying those to the new home probably for sentimental value or simply fear of letting go.
Take your time a few weeks before moving to a new home to audit all your items. Separate everything that you don’t use. If something is old and ugly, just let it go. If there are others that are in good condition, consider selling or donating. Doing this will save you a lot of time in packing, and money in moving the extra boxes.
2. Neglecting your current home
The last few weeks or months to moving out, all focus is always on the new home. You will be up and down checking if everything is ready in the new home before moving in. While doing all these, it is easy to neglect your current home.
Clean the home regularly so you have an easy time in the final deep clean. Carry out repairs around the home to have it in good condition when you hand it over.
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3. Failing to pack a survival kit
A lot of work goes into packing and moving. With all the physical and mental exhaustion, unpacking once you are in the new home would be the last thing on your mind for a few days. Most, if not all, make the mistake of failing to pack a survival kit and end up rampaging the boxes trying to find essentials.
Think of all essentials that you require on a daily basis and pack them separately. That would include your kids’ favorite toys, medication, toiletries, pet food, screwdrivers and other tools. Don’t forget the address book as you would need a pizza delivery before you are in a position to start cooking.
4. Informing the family about moving in the last minute
Amidst all the chaos that comes with moving, the last thing that you want to deal with is family members that you need to literally drag because they don’t want to move. Don’t make the mistake of holding the news about the move till the last minute. Be open to your family on what is going on and help them accept the decision. If you are moving to another city, you can research together on the fun places to visit, the schools they will be attending and the cultures in the new city.
5. Thinking it is a DIY affair
When faced with several options, most people go for the less costly one without thinking through about the implications. You might think that you can easily ace the moving with the help of a few friends. While it might be true, there is the exhaustion and possible damage of your household items that you need to think of.
6. Not vetting movers
A mover charging a lower fee might be having some hidden charges waiting to surprise you on the day of the move.
In as much as you want to save, think everything through a few weeks before moving. Start planning early, researching and getting quotations from different movers. Look at their insurance to see how much they can pay for damages. Consult your insurance company as well to get insight on what can be covered.
7. Hurrying through inventory
With all the exhaustion and chaos, it is easy to hurry through the inventory list just to get it done with. However, you are highly likely not to notice if some boxes are left in the current home. On the other hand, you might fail to notice anything that gets lost on the way to the new home if you don’t audit the boxes that reach the new home. Cases of missing items get harder to solve if you notice the mishap days after the move.
Conclusion
Moving to a new home can be a one day affair, but mistakes that happen on this day might cost your peace of mind and money in the long run. Even with all the excitement of moving, relax and take everything slow. Start planning early and don’t leave any stone unturned.
