Moving can be stressful, and it's easy to make mistakes. Unfortunately, these mistakes can end up costing you money or wasting your precious time.
The experts at Texas Elite Moving have tips for you to have the most successful move possible. They've moved thousands of families, and these are the most common mistakes they encounter:
Not downsizing before the move. Going through your belongings before you pack them allows you to donate or sell items you don't want. Otherwise, you're paying someone to pack and move unwanted stuff for you.
Only partially packing boxes. If your moving boxes aren't filled to the top, you lose out on moving space and risk damaging items inside when they get bounced around.
Using the wrong sized boxes. Don't fill large boxes with books or other heavy items. The movers, and your belongings, are more likely to get hurt when improper packing occurs.
Not being ready when the movers arrive. If you're paying for standard moving services, you're likely paying by the hour. If you don't pack and organize your belongings, that means more work for the movers -- and more money you have to pay. Make sure you're packed and ready to go on moving day.
Unlabeled boxes. Label each side of each box with a description of the box's contents. At a minimum, label one end and one side of each box. This protects your more delicate belongings during the move and helps you find things when you unpack.
No room labels on the boxes. On each side of each box, mark which room you want that box to go in the new home. This helps the movers unload the boxes into the right rooms, making your life far easier when it's time to unpack.
Mixing up boxes. If you're putting some items in storage and some items in your new home, label each box very clearly. Use flag tape (from any big-box store) in two separate colors to indicate which furniture and boxes go to your home and the storage facility.
To help ensure a smooth move, follow this start-to-finish moving checklist.