Critical mistakes you must avoid when moving house

Critical mistakes you must avoid when moving house

Moving home, whether it be to another country or just down the road, isn’t an easy thing to do. Though the process might seem straightforward, there are many more details to consider than just packing and transportation. There are so many decisions to be made and things to do that mistakes are bound to happen. The trouble is, when certain things go wrong, they can cause a lot of stress. With that in mind, here are six critical mistakes you must avoid when relocating.

Illustration of a cardboard moving box

1. Taking everything with you

The more you take with you to your new home, the more stressful the move is going to be. You’ll also make the process more costly, as you’ll have to hire a larger moving van. Because of this, you should take moving house as an opportunity to de-clutter. Before you start packing, go through each room and set aside things you don’t want. You can then donate those belongings.

Illustration of a delivery man

2. Failing to change addresses

Banks, utility providers, employers and the Post Office don’t automatically know when you move house or where you move to; this is something that you’ll have to tell them. If you forget to do this, you could miss important mail or receive a higher energy bill than you should. Make sure that you contact those establishments to inform them of your move at least two weeks prior.

Illustration of two removal men holding a cardboard packing box in front of a removals van

3. Moving without professional help

Some things in life you can do easily by yourself. Moving house, however, isn’t one of them. Even if you’re only moving down the road, you should call up a moving company to help. Removalists are experts in disassembling and fitting together furniture, as well as lifting heavy and awkward items. This can save you a lot of trouble, as well as the risk of injuring yourself.

Illustration of a woman packing a cardboard box

4. Leaving packing too late

Packing up your home is a task you can never leave until the last minute. You always have more stuff than you think you do, so it’s best that you give yourself at least a few weeks to get everything into boxes. Start by packing up rooms that you use the least, like the attic and spare bedroom, and then move to another one. You can utilise the empty rooms to store all the boxes.

Illustration of a blue elephant holding a 'Don't forget' plackard in its trunk

5. Forgetting the survival box

Although you’ll unpack a few boxes the night you move in, most of your belongings will be left packed up until at least the following day. This can cause problems if you don’t know where your toothbrush, pyjamas, or plates are. There are a few things that you’re guaranteed to need on moving day. For easy access to those essentials, you should pack them all together in a moving day survival box.

Illustration of a man with empty pockets

6. Overlooking the hidden costs

Moving house isn’t a simple or cheap process. Just the moving company alone can cost you hundreds, especially if you choose to move on a weekend or public holiday. Although it’s not possible to plan for every cost involved in moving, there are many hidden ones that you can’t afford to overlook – such as unforeseen repairs. You should also plan for unexpected costs by saving up a cash cushion.

Moving house can be a stressful process, but avoiding the mistakes above will make it a lot easier for you.

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