Bad Moving Habits That Can Turn Your Excitement into Frustration
The process of moving to a new home can be incredibly exciting. You likely have visions of settling into new spaces, meeting new neighbors, and exploring a different area. However, the moving process also inevitably involves its fair share of stress. Without proper planning and foresight, what starts as excitement can quickly snowball into frustration. Cost overruns, damaged belongings, and logistical nightmares are all common outcomes of poor moving habits.
Luckily, being aware of these pitfalls allows you to avoid them. In this blog post we will explore some of the most common relocation mistakes that novice movers make so you can sidestep them during your upcoming move.
What are the common relocation mistakes?
Not planning far enough in advance
One of the biggest contributors to moving frustration is failing to plan adequately. Two months is generally the recommended minimum timeframe for mapping out the logistics of loading belongings, booking a mover, obtaining supplies, and handling the many other tasks required to relocate successfully.
However, many eager or optimistic movers falsely believe they can pull everything together in half that time. This often leaves them scrambling during the final weeks before move day, unable to secure their desired moving company or truck rental. Costs often spike since last-minute arrangements typically incur premium fees. Stress levels similarly escalate when attempting to handle all the little details at the final hour.
Give yourself breathing room for the inevitable hiccups, delays in getting services scheduled, and questions that arise during the planning process. Map out a detailed calendar working backward from your target move date so you can check items off your list proactively rather than reactively.
Failing to declutter and downsize
Are you guilty of hanging onto items purely for sentimental reasons or out of vague notions that they “could be useful someday”? This is an extremely common mindset. However, excess belongings spell higher moving expenses and make unpacking far more tedious.
Comb through every closet, cabinet, drawer, basement, and garage to filter out what you actually need versus what is merely taking up space. If items have not been touched in over a year, think hard about whether they serve a purpose going forward or could be sold or donated instead. You want your new residence to feel fresh and functional rather than weighed down by past clutter carrying over.
A good guideline is if you have not used an item in the past six months, you can likely live without it. Use that as your test during the decluttering process. Downsizing also makes packing easier since fewer items need organizing and transporting.
Not getting quotes from multiple relocation companies in India
The costs associated with using a full-service moving company can range pretty substantially depending on the business’s rates, distances involved, weight of items being transported, and other factors. Failing to obtain multiple quotes leaves money on the table and prevents you from understanding what pricing is competitive.
Be sure to get at least three quotes from various [relocation companies in India]. This not only saves potential heartburn when you receive the final bill but allows you to balance cost with reviews and service reputation. A company may seem affordable initially, but featuring negative feedback from past clients should give you pause. There can be hidden surcharges or upselling tactics to watch out for.
Cast a wide net through online searches and physical visits to get a well-rounded perspective on reasonable pricing in your region. Moving requires significant outlays as-is without overpaying due to a lack of comparison shopping.
Not reading reviews of potential [packers and movers]
Speaking of reviews, failing to research the companies under consideration is another misstep to avoid at all costs. Moving requires extreme care and responsibility to transport your life’s possessions safely. However, not every business upholds best practices or ethical standards.
Searching for reviews on impartial third-party websites reveals detailed experiences from past clients. This helps expose any [packers and movers] with track records of damaged goods, hidden fees, failure to arrive on time, and other horror stories. No company is perfect, but patterns of nasty feedback merit eliminating them from contention immediately. Reading between the lines also highlights which movers take extra care and pride in handling clients’ items.
Online reviews bring transparency about quality and service levels, rather than needing to roll the dice based purely on an enticing website or sales pitch. Invest time here rather than regretting a poor choice later. Local review sites and social media often contain candid insights as well. Leave no stone unturned doing your due diligence.
Skimping on insurance
Even with a reputable company, unforeseen incidents can arise during the loading, transport, or unloading of possessions. Owners of damaged goods often must cover repair or replacement costs out-of-pocket if they lack adequate insurance. The stress of submitting claims and haggling over reimbursements sours what should be an exciting life transition.
Review insurance carried out by prospective movers to gauge coverage caps and exclusions. You may wish to supplement with specialty moving insurance through your renter’s or homeowner’s policy for extra peace of mind. While adding another policy feels redundant, damages can easily escalate into thousands of dollars to fix or replace large items.
Ask clarifying questions about the claims process should property loss occur and get any assurances in writing rather than trusting verbal explanations. While insurance adds a bit to upfront costs, you cannot put a price on the value of belongings holding sentimental value or the hassle of needing to immediately replace damaged electronics, furniture, or appliances. Spend this money wisely.
Leverage moving experts
While mistakes happen during moves regardless of preparation, leaning on experts reduces the chances for issues throughout the process. Trust RightStar Relocations to handle your move seamlessly and stress-free, whether relocating locally or internationally. Our teams bring decades of experience efficiently packing, loading, and transporting home goods while minimizing chances for damage. Contact us for a free quote today to get peace of mind.
By understanding common pitfalls that novice movers face and taking proactive steps to avoid them, you can sit back and enjoy an efficient transition rather than dealing with the after-effects of poor planning. Use these tips to make your upcoming move exhilarating rather than excruciating. Here’s to new beginnings in your new home!
RightStar Relocations
Trust RightStar Relocations to handle your move seamlessly and stress-free, whether relocating locally or internationally. Contact us for a free quote today.
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