Moving is one of the major stressful situations in life, but avoiding these common mistakes can make things easier. Here are the pitfalls to avoid on and leading up to Moving Day.
Not Having a Moving Plan
Preplanning and organizing your move is boring and takes a lot of thought and time. But failing to do so will make a move, whether it’s a short distance or cross-country ten times harder. The first decision you have to make is whether to do it yourself or hire a moving company.
Thinking Doing-It-Yourself Is Always Cheaper
Not. There are many factors to consider when deciding to Do It Yourself. Unless you have a lot of friends and family willing to loan you their trucks and vans, you’re going to have to rent a vehicle. According to all the major moving rental companies, the cost varies greatly depending on the area you rent your truck and also whether it’s what they consider a local (you pick up and return the truck in the same location) or a one-way.
Some rental companies charge a total rental that includes mileage, while others allow you a certain number of miles then charge a mileage rate. All companies expect you to pay for the gas you use and return the truck with at least as much gas as was in it when you picked it up. Some companies require the truck to be returned with a full tank of gas.
Size Doesn’t Matter
In addition to time and cost, there’s also the size of the truck to consider. Most rental companies have trucks with automatic transmission and power steering, but if the drivers aren’t used to driving a larger vehicle, there can be some learning going on. An empty truck also handles differently than a full truck, so that can make the trip more stressful, especially if the move is long-distance.
Believing Hiring A Moving Company Is Always Headache Free
Having professional movers do the job for you can be the best thing in the world. It can also be the biggest nightmare. Be certain you read the entire moving contract paying special attention to guarantees of delivery date and the condition of your stuff. Nothing is more heartbreaking than finding personal items damaged beyond repair.
Thinking Family Pets Are Excited About The Move
Cats, in particular, are territorial and don’t like changes in their environment. Be certain that you take into consideration how they are going to react — from the planning stages when there are boxes everywhere to the actual moving day.
If your pet doesn’t like to travel, he probably isn’t going to suddenly enjoy riding 12 hours to a new home. Some pets do well with acclimation — taking them on shorter, test drives in the weeks and months before the move — others get more agitated.
If your animal is especially stressed about traveling, your vet may be able to provide a sedative to help ease the way. There are some natural solutions also but be sure to discuss them with your vet before giving them to your pet.
Not Marking Contents On The Boxes
Telling yourself you can remember which box has the towels and which has the dishes may sound reasonable before you pack them, but when they are sitting row after row in your new home, you’ll drive yourself crazy trying to figure out where they are. Leave a marker out of the packing process and write on the outside at least which room the stuff belongs in. It will only add a few seconds to the time spent packing each box but will save you immeasurable time and frustration on the other end.
