Moving house sounds quite simple in theory. All you have to do is pack everything up into boxes, load up the moving van, and then unpack when you arrive. Aside from the back and forth to the van and home, it should be easy, right?
However, the reality is that moving house is one of the most stressful things in life that you will go through. A move that is poorly planned and executed can cost you a lot of time, money and a whole lot more to your mental health. If you are getting ready to move house, it can be helpful to know what has gone wrong for others so you can avoid them. To help you on your journey, here are some of the biggest mistakes that people make when moving home.
#1 Leaving packing until the last minute
One of the biggest moving mistakes that people make is underestimating how long and difficult packing can be. It will never just be “a few boxes”. Instead, it is all the belongings you forgot about, lots of random items and the loft space you have avoided.
Start packing at least 3-4 weeks before you are due to move. Be strategic about it, and tackle the things you aren’t going to use, or do one room at a time. Make sure you label your boxes clearly.
#2 Not decluttering before you move
It is a mistake to spend all the time packing and organizing a load of stuff that you don’t even want. That is why it can be helpful to take some time decluttering before you move. If you have a lot of time in advance, you can even combine it with packing as you tackle a room at a time. Go through all your belongings and consider what you want to keep, what you want to take with you, and what you no longer want.
While you are packing and sorting, there is always the option for a shipping container hire. You can begin to pack up and clear your belongings out of the property in advance, especially the big and valuable items you want to keep, but don’t want to be rushing to move on the day. You may also find items you want to declutter, but not throw away. A storage container is great for those items.
#3 Not measuring furniture and doorways
There is going to be nothing more stressful than arriving at your new home and realizing that your furniture is not going to fit through the doorway. This happens a lot more often than it should. There is a general assumption made that it will fit, or it is not even thought about.
Ask to view the property again before you move, and measure things like the doorways, hallway and stair cases. As a last resort, even the windows. A few minutes of measuring can save a lot of frustration in the future.
A successful move doesn’t just happen – it takes planning and preparation. Follow these top tips to help your move go a bit smoother.
