Moving is one of the most stressful phases in life. It’s physically, mentally, and financially draining. With all the complications and requirements involved in the process, it’s easy to lose track of things and make mistakes. Sometimes, these errors don’t matter much, and you can still finish your relocation with ease. However, a simple mistake could also cost you more money or delay your move.

Fortunately, you can easily prevent an unfavorable outcome by educating yourself. Below are six critical mistakes to avoid when moving.

1. Forcing a DIY Move

DIY moving is undoubtedly a great way to save money. It gives you the freedom to choose your packing materials and execute the process at your own pace. However, the lack of manpower can do you more harm than good. Even if your friends are willing to help, they may not have the experience to lift and carry objects properly. This might result in a disaster that’s related to people’s safety or the integrity of the items being moved. Sometimes its better to leave the job to professionals. Not only will you avoid accidents, but you can also ensure that your belongings reach their destination in one piece.

2. Not Doing Enough Research on Your Movers

Alright. Suppose you realize that a DIY move would be impractical in your situation. Your next option would be to hire a moving company, right? The biggest mistake to avoid here is being in the dark. This means having no idea of who your movers are and what they can do. Look, you can’t just trust anyone, especially with a massive operation such as moving. And with the prevalence of moving scams, you can never be too careful.

Thankfully, today’s technology lets you readily access valuable information online. With ample research, you can gauge the credibility of your movers. Start by checking that the USDOT number they provide is registered on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. Next, search for legitimate reviews regarding the company. Lastly, try to ask for recommendations or referrals from families and friends.

3. Assuming That Basic Insurance is Enough

It’s dangerous to assume that the basic liability coverage offered by most moving companies is enough. Sure, your movers might be the best in the business, yet you never know what can happen during a move. If they happen to break or lose something and you only have basic coverage, the company’s going to pay only $0.60 to $0.70 per pound of the item in question. That’s not great, especially when you can’t turn on your $3000 gaming PC anymore. That’s why you might want to consider getting full-value protection for your stuff if you’re moving expensive items. Yes, you’ll have to pay a bit more in exchange for peace of mind and security. Remember, you won’t be moving again for a while, so you might as well go all out on protecting your possessions.

4. Planning To Move at the Last Minute

Nothing good ever comes out of last-minute situations – whether it’s an exam or a meeting or, in this case, a move. When you don’t plan your move ahead of time, chances are you’re going to make a lot of compromises. You could be sacrificing necessary precautions, the quality of packing, or your budget when hiring movers. So make sure you think about your decision carefully and set things up months ahead. It’ll require more effort from you, but it’ll surely be worth it in the end.

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5. You Don’t Downsize Enough

One common mistake people make during a move is trying to bring everything with them. This is a terrible idea. First of all, the more items you relocate, the more expensive it gets. Movers tend to set a specific weight capacity. Anything more than that will cost you extra. A DIY move won’t be any better since the truck will move slowly due to heavy load, making you spend more on gas. What can you do about it? Purge your home of unnecessary stuff! Sell or donate things—no need to bring along something you barely use or an item that is easily replaceable. Just take the things you need and those with priceless sentimental value.

6. Not Opting for a Binding Estimate

What is a binding estimate exactly? Simply put, your movers will access your home and provide an ‘estimated price.’ A binding estimate obliges them to honor the figure they name unless you avail of additional services that incur extra charges. Okay. Cool. So how is not opting for a binding estimate a mistake? Well, if you agreed to a non-binding contract, your movers can impose hidden charges at the end of the move. 

And you’re done! Knowing these things, you can now proceed with your relocating smoothly and without fear! Just do it!