Moving to a new home can be a daunting task. However, much of the anxiety associated with moving can be resolved by educating yourself on the process so you don’t commit common errors.
There are plenty of moving resources that give specifics on how to pack, what to pack, and the best methods for ensuring your records move with you. In addition, check out the following common moving mistakes and how to avoid them.
Avoid Moving Mistake #1
You don’t take the time to sort through your belongings before you pack. Let’s face it, we all have items we bought – or were given – long ago that have languished in our closets.
One of the best things about moving is that you get the opportunity to go through your belongings and purge what you don’t use. Moving is the perfect excuse for a garage sale, which can generate a little extra cash for Moving Day.
Not only that but getting rid of unwanted or unused items, whether through donation or a sale, means you are moving less stuff on Moving Day.
That’s less to pack and less to load/unload or pay someone else to move.
Avoid Moving Mistake #2
You think your friends will help you pack boxes the morning of your move.
Honestly?!? Good luck.
Nothing is worse for helpers on Moving Day than discovering you haven’t finished all the packing or any of it. While some might not mind, they likely cannot stay all day, so you are wasting the time they could have spent helping you actually load and unload your truck.
Remember to plan ahead. Don’t leave anything to chance; if you don’t have things ready on Moving Day, you likely won’t get everything packed and moved in one day.
The best thing to do is hold a packing party before Moving Day. This way friends know what they’re signing up for and you don’t feel as pressured on the big day.
Avoid Moving Mistake #2
You choose a less-than-reputable moving company.
Everyone is looking for a cheap move, but in some cases, you get what you pay for. If a moving deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
It’s okay to watch online and newspaper ads for good moving bargains, but always, always, always ask for references and check them.
In addition, a reputable company will give you an estimate in person, not over the phone or email, and it will arrive on Moving Day with its own branded vehicles, not a rented truck. If the moving company requires a large up-front cash deposit, that’s also a sign it could be a potential scammer.
Protect yourself and your belongings by doing your research.
Avoid Moving Mistake #4
You didn’t protect your valuables.
Under federal law, long-distance moving companies are liable for goods you ask them to transport. However, the levels of liability can change based on the moving company’s policies.
All interstate movers have to offer customers two valuation options: released value and full value protection.
Released value means the mover assumes liability for your belongings. However, the moving company often reimburses you for anything lost or broken based on weight. Many valuables are small or don’t weigh a lot, so you’ll want to be sure to purchase extra valuation coverage.
Better yet, if the item is small enough to move yourself, you might consider doing that to ensure its complete safety.
Conclusion
Mistakes are easy to make when you’re changing homes, but through the combination of education and careful planning, your move to Louisville or from Louisville will be as smooth as possible.
