By Relocation.com Staff

Moving is hard – and if you don’t have a plan, you're just making it that much harder.

That's the No. 1 mistake that people make when moving. Frankly, people who are moving tend to make the same types of mistakes. Here’s a list of what they are, and how you can avoid making them.

1. Not having a plan - Moving involves a spectrum of different activities and tasks that need to be coordinated completely. If you don't have a plan, you won't know what you need to do, what help you need and how you will go forward to get everything done. Start with a plan and never lose sight of it!
   
   
2. Not recognizing moving’s busy season - Moving companies get very busy in the summer. So the more you plan ahead, the greater the chance you’ll be able to line up a mover, and the more negotiating leverage you will have. The best deals for moving are likely to be found during the winter and during the second and third weeks of the month -- many renters will be leaving their residences at the beginning of the month when most leases are signed, so this creates a lot of demand for moving services then.
   
   
3. Not getting estimates from several moving companies - The surest way to overpay for moving services is to not shop around. Moving companies compete with each other every day, so they know their competition. Let them tell you why they are the best choice for you and get the information you need to make the right comparison and right choice for you.
   
   
4. Not having a budget – Hiring a moving company can be a substantial part of your budget. If you are moving from a large residence or moving a long distance, you will likely incur moving services into the thousands of dollars. Understand how these costs fit into your overall budget, which will include travel to your new home, auto transport, temporary living expenses, etc. With a budget and a plan, you can go forward and shop for the moving services that fit both your needs and your budget.
   
   
5. Choosing a mover that greatly undercuts others’ prices - Quality moving companies tend to price their services in a reasonable pricing band. If one company prices its services significantly outside this band (25%-40% less than other estimates), watch for two things: estimates based on different criteria -- weight, men and hours needed, etc. – as their competitors, or, even worse, you get a host of unexpected charges at the end of your move. Moving companies have similar costs for a move - moving labor, packing supplies, driver time, gas – so if someone is way outside of the other prices being offered, question why.
   
   
6. Not getting a binding estimate - Never let someone start your move without a written contact that indicates what services you will be receiving and how much you will be paying for them. If you do not feel comfortable with the estimate or the contract, don't sign it. Follow your instincts -- if something does not seem right, don't risk it; there are plenty of high-quality moving companies out there and you deserve to have one of them do your move.
   
   
7. Failing to disclose everything to the moving company – Maybe your apartment is on the fourth floor of a building with no elevator; maybe you actually DO want to move that metal shelving unit in the basement; maybe the street your new home is on is just a wee bit too small for the moving van.
   
   None of these obstacles is insurmountable, but they WILL make your move more expensive; if you don’t tell the mover about them, you will be charged for it later. If a moving company is going to have to climb a bunch of stairs, or it’s going to have to transport items it didn’t account for in the estimating process, it is going to get weighed or carried at some point and it will end up costing you in the end – you can’t sneak a grand piano by a moving company.
   
   
8. Not understanding your insurance options – During a move, things can and often do go wrong, even with experienced moving professionals. In most cases, your household items will not be covered under your current homeowners insurance or renters' insurance policy. Moving companies will provide released value protection if you do not pay for or elect supplemental insurance. Depending on the state, this coverage will only pay you 60 cents per pound if something is broken or damaged. So if your 300-pound plasma television would be insured for $180, not the $3,000 that you paid for it. If you want full value protection, you can purchase this coverage from your moving company or from a reputable third party insurance carrier. If something is damaged or lost, you will be making your claim and dealing with the insurance company, not the moving company.
   
   
9. Assuming it is easier and cheaper to move yourself - It doesn't sound like it would be hard but packing all of your items correctly, loading them into a truck and driving this truck to your new residence isn’t a picnic. It might take you longer than you ever expected, it will cost much more than you thought, and you probably won't be as happy with the outcome when it is all over. Moving is a specialized service involving industry specific equipment, supplies, trucks and staff.
   
   Quality moving companies give very specific training to their moving crews and foremen that provide them with proven, best practices and techniques to best pack and transport your items. Proper packing and use of the right supplies and equipment can substantially reduce the risk of damage in transit. Do this calculator before making a decision.
   
   
10. Not transporting your most valuable items yourself - Always carry important documents with you when you move -- items such as passports, wills, and financial documents. Other high value items such as jewelry and watches that can be easily transported should also be hand carried. Always back up your computer files just in case something happens to the computer in route. If you have an especially valuable or prized item (such as an antique or artwork), make absolutely sure that you oversee the packing. If you have any concerns with the way something is being packed, ask the movers for additional protection.
    
    
11. Treating your movers poorly – Do you really want to get off on a bad foot with the folks who will be loading your possessions onto a truck, driving them hundreds or thousands of miles, and then unloading them in your new home? Being a mover is a tough job – it combines heavy physical strain with the need for a gentle touch. Movers are always on edge – they don’t to be the person who drops a box of dishes. Nothing changes the likelihood that your move won't go well than treating your movers badly. A glass of lemonade, a warm greeting and thank you really go a long way. Think of these folks as your own personal protector throughout the move.
    
    
12. Not carefully checking the moving inventory - This document is your proof that items that were packed from your residence made it on the truck. Go through this document carefully and make sure that you verify that everything was packed and put on the truck. When your items arrive at your new residence, review the inventory checklist to make sure everything that you verified previously found its way to your new home. Taking the time to go through the inventory saves you countless hassles as you try to remember 3 weeks after you move what you had and had not packed.

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