Moving house is stressful, and it’s far too easy for things to go wrong if you head in unprepared. Even if you go in with a strategy, some of the finer details can get overlooked when you’re relocating your entire life. To ensure you don’t end up in a world of drama, take note of the following five mistakes many people make:
Not Moving the Right Things First
While you may be hoping to get everything done in one day, so many factors can prevent this from happening. So, if you’re taking loads, always start with the essentials first. One of the main things to get out the door first is your basic kitchen equipment.
Here, it’s also important to check that your pots and pans will be compatible with the new cooktop. If your new place has an induction stove, you’ll need to ensure you have the best pans for an induction cooktop. Otherwise, you won’t be able to prepare any food.
Leaving Packing Until the Last Minute
Another common moving mistake people make is to leave the bulk of their packing until the last minute because they may need certain items. Failing to get everything organized early can lead to unnecessary stress and rushing, which can cause further mistakes. Instead, work out exactly what you’ll need in the weeks leading up to your move, and pack up everything else.
Not Sorting and Labeling Boxes
Say it with us – boxes should be sorted by room and clearly labeled. Though it can be tempting to simply pack similar items together and deal with the consequences later, especially if you’ve left your packing until the last minute, this causes issues on the other end.
Pack items by room rather than item type, and clearly label each box. Boxes can then be placed in the room they’re intended for upon moving, making unpacking a lot easier.
Forgetting to Prioritize an Energy Source
Unless you have an incredibly minimalistic lifestyle and a large, helpful moving crew, relocating your entire life is hardly ever achieved in a single day. This causes problems if you can’t access things you need the morning after your move – like your caffeine hit, for example. To avoid this, find your favorite offering from the best local coffee roasters, and make sure you’ve got easy access to your favorite morning brew.
Packing Heavy Items Together
Trust us when we say that heavy items packed together in large boxes are a bad idea. Not only does this increase the risk of injury to yourself and anyone who is helping you move, but it also means that your belongings will be more likely to break while in transit as most moving boxes are only rated to a certain weight.
We suggest ensuring that all boxes are under the maximum safe carrying weight for a single person and being careful not to exceed what the box you’re using is rated for.
Not Having Your Utilities Connected Prior to Moving in
If your utilities aren’t connected on the day you move in, this may not seem like that big of a deal, but it will soon become a bother. Without utilities, your fridge and freezer won’t run, so your food may spoil. It also means you won’t be able to shower when you’re done for the day, you’ll be left in the dark when night falls, and you’ll have little control over the ambient temperature. So, make sure everything is set up before your move day!
Avoid these six common moving mistakes, and relocating your life will be a whole lot less stressful.