Planning for an out-of-state move? You aren’t alone, with over 40 million Americans move at least once every year. They use any vehicle, from old station wagons to professional movers. If it’s your first time, you’re likely to get things wrong. It’s stressful enough to put labels on boxes before moving.
If you want to avoid these common moving mistakes, be sure to read the rest of our guide.
1. Not Researching Your Moving Company
With thousands of moving services in the US, finding the right one can be troublesome. Since you’re moving to another state, hiring movers is necessary. It’s often the more cost-effective choice compared to packing up and renting a truck.
However, not every moving company is equal. Everyone has different licenses and reliability necessary for these moves. Some companies might be scams that pull shady deals to lure you in.
For example, it’s not always a good idea to hire the first movers to come up in your research. Instead, get in touch with a few different companies to get more information. Read their online reviews to determine whether people trust them.
Always do your homework to get a reputable, trustworthy company. Otherwise, your moving process will become a nightmare.
2. Moving without Making a Checklist
Proper organization is one of the primary factors that make your move successful. A big moving mistake is to prepare for the move without making a clear plan. You must have the right strategy to organize the relocation process. Familiarize yourself with how to arrange every task according to their priority. You’ll benefit more if you use a moving checklist. Without it, you’ll lose loads of time starting and finishing random tasks.
A moving checklist helps keep your focus on the more important tasks. It keeps you motivated since you have a definite set of goals. You’ll know that your goal draws nearer every time you complete a task.
It also saves you from the majority of stress associated with the move. It’s because you know you can finish preparations on time. It’s always a boon to know that you’re progressing at an acceptable pace.
3. Not Allotting Enough Time
When relocating, packing is the most time-consuming task. One of your greatest moving mistakes is to underestimate the time you have. It’s especially when you’re packing your things.
It applies even when you know how to pack rapidly. If you start packing after pushing it back for days or weeks makes you feel stressed. It will sweep in as soon as you realize that you have insufficient time to pack everything.
Always stay well-grounded and realistic. Plan your packing for moves well before the day comes. Add more days if your home has lots of fragile and delicate items.
A thorough plan ensures you’re ready for the moving day. You’ll wrap and store these fragile items without worrying about their safety. It takes a lot out of your stress when you get these tasks out of the way.
4. Buying New Boxes
You’ll often lose more when you spend a fortune on new cardboard boxes. Buying a single box is cheap, but you’re unlikely to need just one. If you need over 40 to 50 boxes for your belongings, it can add up. You have lots of options when you’re moving. These alternatives won’t require you to buy all those new packing boxes. Lots of free options abound—you need only ask for them in most cases.
Go to the local supermarkets, bookstores, or liquor stores, for example. Ask, and they’ll likely give their boxes. These are solid and can hold a great deal of weight.
If you’re too shy to ask strangers for their boxes, ask your loved ones instead. Your friends, colleagues, and family members might have unnecessary boxes at their disposal. If all else fails, your neighbors can have some.
5. Forgetting to Pack a Moving Essentials Bag
After a move, the process of unpacking can be as stressful. Sometimes, you can’t find your important things after moving. Even when you label all the boxes, it’s difficult to get your items without struggling.
To avoid this scenario, get a moving essentials bag. It’s where all the important items are. These are the things you can’t afford to lose or the items necessary during a moving day.
Some of these include:
- Wallet
- Keys
- Important documents
- Medicine
- Basic toiletries
- Chargers
- Fresh clothes
After packing these necessities, ensure that they’re with you. You’ll be happy to do it once moving day happens. It’s especially when you get injuries and require first-aid.
6. Keeping Every Belonging
Sometimes, you must stop listening to your inner hoarding urges. Relocating out of your state is the best time to reflect on your personal belongings. It means editing down the items in your possession.
Make your moving process fun and less bothersome. Sort through your belongings and toss away everything you no longer use. The fewer things you have, the better you’ll be.
The primary benefit is saving time, effort, and money during the move. As for the items, you’ll leave, separate them into three piles: donate, recycle, and toss.
7. Not Having a Budget
Your move is nigh impossible to figure out when talking about exact costs. It’s harder to do when you’re moving to another state. However, it’s better to have a general idea of your move’s cost instead of nothing.
Think about the amount you’ll spend based on your possessions and travel distance. Anticipate for the worst scenario and put additional costs on top of the budget. This includes expenses like packing supplies and potential financial losses.
8. Improve Your Out-of-State Move Today
These are some mistakes you must avoid when doing an out-of-state move. If you want to avoid the stress of moving, use the tips we mentioned above. It especially applies when hiring moving services to do some of the work for you.
Need more tips? Check our blog for more guides!
Also read: Moving During the Pandemic 7 Things to Know
