Dove Canyon – Avoid Moving Mistakes

Ready to Move? Avoid These 10 Mistakes

When you’re planning a move, it’s easy to make mistakes. Luckily, many of these mistakes can be avoided with a bit of planning. Here are the top ten mistakes that moving customers make, and how you can avoid them:

1. Starting too late.

Sometimes, a last-minute move is unavoidable. But if you can, start planning your move as soon as you know it’s coming. You’ll need time to appropriately vet the moving company, and to get all the details into place. Starting early in the process will help you avoid these other common mistakes.

2. Not researching the moving company.

When you’re preparing to sign a moving contract, it’s important to be sure that you research your moving company appropriately. At the very least, you’ll want to be sure your movers are licensed by the state Department of Transportation. You’ll also want to check that the company is properly insured, and that they have good customer reviews. Taking these steps will ensure you choose the right Dove Canyon movers for your needs.

3. Not reading through the contract.

The moving contract, or bill of lading, is what will tell you which services the moving company will provide, where they will pick up and deliver your items, and what your costs will be. It’s easy to skim over this contract. But reading it thoroughly will ensure that you don’t miss anything, and that you’ve appropriately communicated your needs to the moving company.

4. Not saving where you can.

If you’re moving on a tight budget, you’ll need to find ways to save money. Customizing your moving contract is one way to begin. But you can also save money on the materials you use to pack everything in your home. You can often get secondhand boxes from friends and neighbors, or even from local stores. You can also save on packing materials by collecting used newspapers and similar items.

5. Not packing boxes properly.

If you’re packing on your own, you’ll need to check with your Dove Canyon movers about any restrictions. For instance, if you need to keep the weight of individual boxes below a certain poundage. Then, take time to pack properly to ensure that you don’t have items broken or damaged during the move.

6. Not taking furniture measurements.

You might assume that your new home will accommodate all of your furniture that you currently have. But this may not be the case. When you buy or rent your new home, take measurements of each room. And then use graph paper or an online program to see where all of your current furniture will go. Anything that won’t fit should be donated or sold before your move. This will save you money on your move, and will also be more convenient in the long run.

7. Not labeling boxes properly.

Whether you’re packing your boxes, or your Dove Canyon movers are packing them for you, be sure they’re all labeled properly. At the very least, you’ll need to appropriately mark boxes with heavy or fragile, as needed. Then, label boxes with the room they go into, and with its contents. This will help you with unpacking.

8. Forgetting to update your address.

In all the details to get to before your move, it’s easy to forget to update your mailing address. But the Post Office needs a week or two to get your address update into effect. It’s best to schedule your address update as soon as you have a new address, so that you don’t forget. Luckily, this just takes a few minutes online.

9. Not keeping receipts.

When you move, some of your expenses may be eligible for a federal tax deduction. Keep your receipts for the person who files your taxes, just in case this deduction applies to your move. Then, be sure to keep those receipts for the five to seven years required by the IRS, just in case you get audited.

10. Packing items the movers can’t move.

Even if you have a comprehensive moving package with your Dove Canyon movers, you’ll find that there are certain items your moving company can’t handle. This is mainly because of federal restrictions on hazardous materials like propane tanks and lawn chemicals. Ask your movers for a list of items they’re not allowed to move, and make other arrangements for getting these items to your new home.