Generally, moving is a nerve-wracking process that requires plenty of planning, preparation, dedication, and effort. During the move, many things can go wrong at different times and in different ways.
Luckily, our team of professional movers at Winter Moving and Storage in Northwest Arkansas is ready to help you avoid making any mistakes and inconveniences as you transition into your new environment. Let us look at some common mistakes people make when moving.
Winging your move and DIY
Whether you are moving across the street, to a nearby neighborhood, or a different state, the process can be pretty challenging. As a result, you will need plenty of extensive advance planning and preparation to ensure a smooth move. Doing the move yourself without proper planning could result in damaging your belongings, wear and tear on your body, and even extra fuel costs.
By hiring professional movers, you save yourself the hassle of the labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Additionally, professional movers are often insured, meaning they cover any damages that may happen to your items of value. Thus, hiring a team of expert movers is definitely worth it in almost every scenario.
Packing your belongings at the last possible minute
Many people who are in the middle of moving leave the packing stage at the last minute. Such packing often results in throwing random items in a box, which consumes a lot of time. Often, people assume that once they begin, everything will come together quickly.
However, this is far from true. It is advisable to create a moving checklist and start packing early before the set moving date. You should also take the initiative to choose a professional moving company in good time, especially if you are planning to move during a busy time of the year, like summer or spring.
Lack of proper research of your preferred moving company
One of the most common moving mistakes people make is assuming that they are hiring a professional moving company. It is crucial to conduct thorough research on your preferred moving company before committing to any contract. In turn, this will help in avoiding inconveniences on a moving day.
Get referrals, read reviews, and compare the prices given to other companies to ensure that you are getting the best deal. There are various ways to ascertain the legality of your preferred movers. For instance, the U.S Department of Transportation provides all interstate movers with a valid license and a U.S. DOT number. Using this number, you can search the company name on their website to find their legality, previously launched complaints and more information.
You can also use the Better Business Bureau to find a list of reliable and trustworthy moving companies. This database also provides information on previous complaints launched by customers.
Another option is to check whether they are promovers. Promovers are a list of reputable and professional movers who have taken part in the consumer protection and certification program from the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA).
Failing to insure your valuable items
As you move, it is vital to keep in mind your insurance options, especially if you own valuable items. Anything can happen during a move, and it is crucial not to trust your moving company blindly. Federal regulations provide that moving companies should offer two main insurance options; the Released Value for free and the Full Value protection.
Released Value for free only compensates 60 cents per pound for any item damaged while in the custody of your movers. Alternatively, Full Value protection ensures that your movers are liable for all missing or damaged items. Thus, this option ensures that your damaged or missing items are replaced with the same product or a similar one of equal value.
Failing to get rid of things
There is no better time to go through your personal belongings than during a move. The lesser things you have to pack and move, the better. Throwing everything in a box and tapping it up results in wasting time and energy.
Instead, take advantage of the moving process to organize your belongings and declutter. Sort the unnecessary items into piles of recycle, toss, or donate. Resist holding onto things that do not serve a purpose in your life anymore.
Conclusion
Moving and transitioning into your new place does not have to be an overwhelming process. Hiring a reputable and trustworthy moving company, like Winter Moving and Storage in Northwest Arkansas, will help ease the process and reduce costs. Additionally, planning your move early enough aids in avoiding these five common moving mistakes.
