10 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Moving Day

Moving day is almost here. How prepared do you feel right now? Moving into a new apartment is exciting, but most renters would probably agree that the physical part of moving can add tons of stress. Mistakes are bound to happen during the process – life is just funny that way.

Hopefully, these situations are minor mistakes and can easily work themselves out in the end. It (generally) always does. Making common mistakes can hinder your moving process. The best thing you can do is be prepared and avoid common mistakes like these:

1. Hiring Movers Without Vetting Them Finding the cheapest movers won’t help much if they’re not insured. There are hundreds if not thousands of local movers but to find the professionals, you need to research and vet them first. Proper due diligence is necessary when you’re entrusting a team of apartment movers with your belongings. Check referrals, review websites, and shop around for moving quotes. If you go with the first moving company you see with a Google ad or hire the cheapest company without fully researching them, you could be taking a big risk with your most valuable possessions. An insured and certified mover (long distance if it applies to you) with a reputable reputation is a must.
2. Neglecting to Purge Before Packing Boxes, packing supplies, and a moving truck all cost some serious dough. Before you pack up your life, purge any unused, unwanted, and unnecessary items you’ve been keeping around. Rule of thumb: If you haven’t used something within the past year, just toss it. Only keep what you use, unless it has sentimental value. If not, you’ll be shelling out a lot of money on your move for more boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and a larger truck. If you don’t want it, purge it. You don’t necessarily have to throw it out – donate it if it still has some years left to make someone else happy!
3. Procrastinating on Packing Moving requires weeks of planning. It doesn’t just happen overnight. Start early with your packing plan and begin with those items you don’t need right now (i.e., trinkets, holiday décor, fancy dishes, stemware, etc.). You’re basically starting with the items you won’t miss. Then, as you approach moving day, pack up the rest of your home. Don’t procrastinate! If you do, you may be in for a rude awakening of long nights and numerous trips to and from the store for packing supplies.
4. No Moving Checklist Oops. A moving checklist was never made. How are you going to survive? A moving checklist is designed to help renters keep tabs on what you’ve accomplished and what you need to do next in the moving process. The unmarked boxes are your action items. Prepare a moving checklist now so you don’t fall behind and lose your head. When moving day comes, you’ll be happy to have made and completed your moving checklist.
5. Forgetting to Purchase Renter’s Insurance You don’t have renter’s insurance? You should get on that like right now. Many apartment communities require their residents to have renter’s insurance by the day they move in. Don’t delay your move because you forgot to purchase a policy for your apartment. It’s quite affordable and covers the cost of your personal property, liability coverage, and temporary housing when/if you file a claim.
6. Not Putting Together a First-Night Box Unpacking your moving boxes takes time. You could be spending upwards of a couple of weeks, even with consistent unpacking. Your first-night box should contain the essentials that’ll get you through the first night at your new apartment. Forgetting to pack a first night box might entail an unnecessary run to the store for supplies that you already have (hidden in boxes somewhere), such as toilet paper, paper towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, and hand soap.
7. Incorrectly Packing Your Boxes Uh-oh. Say it isn’t so. You didn’t just place your dinnerware at the bottom of the box, and your prized book collection on top, did you? Packing a box takes practice and skill, especially when trying to maximize space within the box. Breakables, such as glassware and ceramics, should be placed comfortably within a box and wrapped in bubble wrap. Never force anything into a box as it could break during transport. You don’t want to place items from different rooms into a box. Keep things consistent and organize your boxes by room.
8. Not Cleaning Prior to Moving Out Cleaning the old apartment is an essential part of the move-out process. If you don’t, money may be deducted from your security deposit to cover the expenses of a cleaning service. Make sure you clean the appliances, bathrooms, floors, ceiling fans, and sweep the balcony. Better yet, create a cleaning checklist! When you move out, you’re expected to leave the apartment in the same condition as you found it. Clean the apartment before turning over your keys for good!
9. Forgetting About Utilities It’s important to remember to schedule your utilities to turn off on the day you move out. In addition, you’ll also need to turn on your new home’s electricity and gas. Not doing so may mean living by candlelight at night and running a cold shower. That, my friend, would not be fun!
10. Not Taking Measurements of the New Place Instead of winging it and praying your sectional will fit in the new living room, use a tape measure to see if it will actually fit inside the apartment. If it doesn’t, you may need time to sell or donate the furniture. When you do a walk-through, bring a tape measure with you and take pictures. It’ll help you determine what you can keep and what to say “buh-bye” to.

The stress of moving day can overwhelm a person. It’s completely understandable. Don’t let these easily avoidable moving mistakes delay your move. Follow the tips so you can load up and hit the road ASAP.