Things People Wish They Had Planned Better Before Moving

The boxes may be packed, the move date set, but even the best-planned move can be a disaster waiting to happen. So many things can go wrong in a few days, especially if you haven’t planned every detail. From missing supplies to problems delivering a moved item.

Thinking through the little things people wish they’d considered before a move can help prevent avoidable extra work and let you move into a new home quickly. The run-up to, the day of, and the period after a move need careful planning to avoid stress.

Leaving Too Many Decisions Until Packing Day

Every cupboard can reveal hidden surprises, old appliances, unused clothes, and paperwork you need to sort before you can pack. It’s easy to put these off until the last week before moving, but they will take as much time as cleaning the house, running errands, and doing other tasks you need to do before you move.

Start with those rooms and storage areas containing items you have not used for years – such as your storage areas, spare rooms and garage. Determine what you will keep and pack, and what you can donate and arrange for collection prior to your move date.

Measuring furniture before you move will show whether you will still use it after you’ve moved. Some items that have served you well in your current home may not be as useful in your new home. A dining table that has served you well in your current home may not fit in your new dining area, and not measuring it before moving can lead to an expensive mistake.

Budgeting for the Move but Forgetting the Transition

The cost of the removal itself is only the beginning of costs that a person moving house must consider. Costs include packing materials, travel, hotels, and meals while the main kitchen has not yet arrived. Paying rent and services at the old place until the day you move can add significantly to the cost of moving house.

Beyond moving your items from one home to another, other move-related expenses are easy to underestimate. For example, you may need to purchase a shower curtain for your new bathroom or window coverings for your new home. Even items like cleaning supplies can cost more than you expected, especially if you packed them away in your boxes and haven’t had time to find them yet.

Spreading a budget over several days rather than spending it all on one day will also help. Confirming budgeted amounts against estimates, with a reserve for the unexpected, will also leave sufficient funds for other household bills if the move is delayed.

Assuming All the Moving Dates Would Line Up

All the moving dates (e.g., collection date, delivery date, vacate date, etc.) do not necessarily align. Your lease end date is often different from when your property becomes available for collection. Work commitments, etc., can also limit your travel dates.

A team of experienced long-distance movers can clarify pickup and delivery dates and times, as well as access to your current and new homes. They can confirm what is fixed and what is estimated, and keep you advised of any changes. It’s also wise to clarify what you need to do to prepare for our arrival, and to arrange for travel and accommodation for yourself and others assisting with the move.

Work out what you would do if your stuff turned up late. Where would you all sleep? What would you take with you? Even having a place to stay for a night or two could make all the difference and can be arranged for the price of a phone call.

Packing Without Thinking About the First Few Nights

Pack an ‘Essentials’ Box for your first night in your new home. Many families move long distances only to find essentials such as bedding, toiletries, and towels packed in a variety of boxes, forcing you to unpack them one by one. Kitchen utensils and equipment may be packed at the bottom of boxes with less essential items, making them difficult to locate.

Make sure the labels include enough information to show which room the box belongs in and what’s inside. This way, you can have your bedding and towels ready to use on the first night, while the rest of the boxes can be taken up to their respective rooms.

Putting Off the Details That Make a Home Functional

You can put off small administrative matters until later, but they will affect your move into your new home and should be organized in the same way as the move itself (i.e., with a view to fixing a date). You also need to arrange connections for electricity, gas, and water, as well as set up internet access. Also, arrange who will collect the keys from the seller and when.

Also ensure that service providers (electricity, gas, water, internet, TV, etc.) will be available on the start date and that any booked appointments to connect/disconnect/servicing can be confirmed with a set time. Also update addresses for accounts such as Direct Debits, continuous payments, leisure memberships, etc. to ensure that no problems arise with any payments.

If you have scheduled access to property to load/unload your shipment, inform your customers of any restrictions on time of day, access to property via garage, etc., and of any arrangement you have made re. use of elevator(s).

Expecting Normal Life to Resume Immediately

After the move, people often expect to go straight back to work and start rearranging their new home. They may be surprised by how much unpacking is required and find many household goods still in boxes.

Don’t be too hard on yourself after the move. Let yourself settle into your new home and relax. Figure out which rooms you need to be functional as soon as possible. Prioritize a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Boxes may still be strewn about, but make sure you have somewhere to sleep, wash, and make simple meals.

Remember that the best moving plans are written to account for life before and after a move. Working backward from your first week in your new home will show what you need ready to go and what can wait until you’ve settled. Thinking about it at all before you leave is half the battle.