Moving house – a blend of excitement and a touch of apprehension, right? We all dream of a seamless house move, but occasional slip-ups can cause somewhat of a headache! On the bright side, most moving disasters are common and easily avoidable with the right knowledge.

So, join us as we examine these common pitfalls and explain how to dodge them for a hassle-free move.

• 7 Common Moving Mishaps & Tips to Avoid Them
• Moving Disasters FAQs

7 Common Moving Mishaps & Tips to Avoid Them

Leaving the Packing Until the Last Minute

Arguably, packing for your big move is the most dreaded task. You might be tempted to leave it all to the last minute, but this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make! 

You may start thinking that you don’t own that much stuff, but in reality, you may forget about all those nooks and crannies where you have stashed belongings over the years. 

This can lead to you having insufficient packing materials for all of your belongings or a removal van that is too small to transport all of your belongings on moving day.

How to Avoid:

• Start packing as soon as possible – if you start packing as soon as your move is confirmed little by little, it won’t feel too overwhelming on moving day. 
• Group belongings by room – You will gain a good idea of how many belongings you have per room, allowing you to book the right-sized moving van.

Avoiding Decluttering

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when moving is carting ALL of their belongings to their new place. Taking unnecessary items to your new home is time-consuming, a waste of packing resources and costly if you need a bigger removal van. 

Whether you are downsizing or upsizing, there will be items in your home that have seen better days, so do yourself a favour and start decluttering!

How to Avoid:

• Be logical – You may be holding onto a jacket you loved ten years ago but haven’t worn since, or you are downsizing, and your sofa will not fit in your new home. Find them a new home!
• Donate to family and friends—Ask your family or friends if they would like any of the items you do not want to take to your new home.
• Give to charity – Items that are still in good condition can find a new lease of life with someone in desperate need. Donate your unwanted but quality belongings to a local charity that is always seeking donations.

Overlooking the Utilities

There’s nothing quite like wanting a nice hot shower and cup of tea after a long day of moving, only to remember that you have no power or hot water! 

Forgetting to organise utilities before moving day could result in you being without essential services when you move in while continuing to pay for utilities in a house you no longer live in.

How to Avoid:

• Checklists—List all your service providers, including gas, water, electricity, and broadband. Note their contact details and the deadline by which you need to contact them.
• Contact providers—Call your providers at least two weeks before your moving date, informing them of your moving date and new address so they can ensure you have essential services running when you move in.
• Check utilities on moving day. As you are leaving your old home, take meter readings and photographs for evidence to prevent any future disputes if your service provider continues to bill you after you have moved out.

Not Investing in Good Quality Packing Materials

Good-quality packing materials are a top priority if you want your belongings to arrive safely at their new home. A major moving day disaster occurs when your belongings become damaged or lost due to poor packing. 

The last thing you want is to unbox a load of your belongings after a long day of moving and find them damaged.

How to Avoid:

• Sturdy materials—Invest in high-quality materials such as sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, strong tape, and packing peanuts to secure your belongings safely.
• Wrapping technique—You must use the right wrapping material and technique, especially for fragile items, to ensure the safety of your belongings. This includes wrapping glasses individually in bubble wrap and packing the box out with peanuts to prevent movement during transit. 

Moving Day Disorganisation

You have completed the sale with keys in hand and a removal van outside, but you can’t find your essentials bag, and the kettle is nowhere in sight. Being disorganised on moving days can make the whole process feel draining rather than exciting. This time should feel celebratory rather than chaotic, so make sure you are prepared for the big day.

How to Avoid:

• Pack an essentials box—Fill a box with all the necessities you will need as you move in, such as a kettle, tea bags, snacks, toilet rolls, etc. Everything you will need immediately should be packed and taken personally to your new home so you can always access your essentials.
• Delegate tasks – If you are moving with family or friends, make sure that each person has a duty to focus on so that one person is not overwhelmed with sorting everything on moving day.
• Charge phone – Ensure that your phone is charged throughout the day so you can access contacts, maps, and music anytime.

Ignoring Your New Neighbours

In the hustle and bustle of moving house, greeting your new neighbours may be at the bottom of your to-do list, but then weeks have passed, and you’re yet to introduce yourself. 

Neighbours can be a great source of local knowledge, especially if you are new to the area. Failing to introduce yourself may give off a poor impression, leading to a frosty community feel.

How to Avoid:

• Say hello – On moving day, a simple wave or a ‘hello’ can go a long way. Break the ice and show that you are happy to be a part of a new community.
• Small gestures—Once you are settled, try popping over to your close neighbours with a card and a small treat, such as biscuits. This is a common courtesy for moving into a new neighbourhood and wanting to make a good first impression.

Failing to Research Reputable Removal Companies

So, moving day has finally arrived. You are packed, with keys in hand, but no removal van is in sight. Choosing a reputable removal company will make or break your moving experience. There is no bigger disaster than a no-show moving company when you are all set to get the wheels turning for the big move.

How to Avoid:

• Research – Gather information on all of your local removal companies, read reviews, ask for a quotation and review their policies to ensure that they are reputable and reliable
• Insurance – Check if your chosen removal company is licenced and insured.
• Book in advance – To avoid disappointment, make sure you book a removal van in advance from your most desired company otherwise, you may be left with limited options

Moving Disaster FAQs

How do I prepare for moving?

Preparing for a house move is the best way to mitigate against moving disasters. Here are six simple steps to get prepared:

1. Make a checklist of all tasks and their deadline
2. Declutter
3. Invest in packing materials
4. Create an inventory of belongings
5. Start packing room by room
6. Hire a reputable company

What steps should I take if my belongings are damaged during the move?

Document any damage by taking photographs and comparing them with images of how the item looked before the move. Contact the removal company immediately to report the damage and file a claim. Review the moving company’s insurance policy to understand their coverage and ensure you follow their claim process.

What should I do if my items don’t all fit in the removal van on moving day?

If you have too many items on the day of the move, you may need to make multiple trips or store some items in storage until you get another van to transport them. If you hire a reputable removal company, they can tailor your moving process and select a truck size that comfortably fits your belongings.

Avoid Moving Day Disasters with Guardian Removals

At Guardian Removals, we offer a comprehensive removal service from when you first contact us to when we wave goodbye to you at your new home. We can provide expert advice and resources for packing and loading your belongings, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your move. 

We go the extra mile to ensure that your belongings reach their new home in pristine condition. Trust in us; our expert team will do everything possible to mitigate any potential moving disasters.

Contact us for a seamless moving experience.

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