How can I break this to you gently? Moving is no fun!
If I could ask my ancestral forebears as they loaded up their Conestoga wagons for their Westward-Ho journey, if moving day was fun, I'm sure they'd want to pull out their trusty Winchesters and blast me back to the future. Just imagine how would they feel after fording two raging rivers if someone forgot to pack up old Aunt Betsy!
Sure, relocating to a new place can be an exciting adventure, but the actual moving process can be stressful, costly, and full of surprises. You can make your next move as smooth and simple as possible by avoiding these common pitfalls:
Hiring a cut-rate mover
Moving scams can run the gamut from bogus “moving deposits”, to bait-and-switch estimates, to overly-complicated contracts designed to nullify mover liability. You can steer clear of a less-than-upstanding mover by doing your homework. The Better Business Bureau, Angie's List, your state transportation regulator, and the U.S. Department of Transportation - and even your relatives, friends and neighbors - are all good sources of information about whether a moving company is on the up-and-up. Doing some research online can also save you a lot of heartache.
Failing to schedule your move well in advance
During the late spring and summer months, good moving companies book up quickly. Rather than waiting until the last minute, make sure your move is scheduled weeks - or better yet, months - in advance. You don't want to be scrambling to find a mover only days before you're supposed to head out.
Packing too much stuff
Do you really need all those winter sweaters, coats and snow boots if you're moving to Florida? Take some time to "edit" your belongings. Think about whether you can trash some of your possessions, donate them to charity, or give them away to friends and relatives. Consider holding a garage sale to clear out some of the clutter. If you haven't seen, worn, or used something in a year, think hard about whether you need to keep it - and whether you want to haul it to your new place.
Ignoring the need to pack ahead of time
You'll find very few people who'll admit that they enjoy packing. In fact, a survey commissioned by SpareFoot found that people who moved in the past year identified packing and unpacking as the biggest hassle in the process. (My ancestral forebears would probably agree.)
You can lessen your stress by beginning to pack well before moving day comes along. Start by boxing up stuff that you won't need right away, such as great-great Aunt Betsy's good china and crystal that you only use on special occasions. Be sure to label the contents of each box clearly and designate a room where this box will be stored. If you get down to the wire and need help with packing, most full-service moving companies will carefully wrap, pack and label all of your belongings for an additional charge. You can also enlist friends, neighbors, or relatives to lend a hand, but just make sure you have plenty of delicious food and adult beverages on hand to reward them for their labors.
If you're thinking of listing your home in today's hot market, your house may be sold the very first day to a Buyer eager to move in less than a month. So what are you waiting for? It's time to start packing!