Moving Mishaps And How To Avoid Them

Moving Mishaps And How To Avoid Them

My last few posts have shown you how to choose the right moving company, and save time and money on your move.

But, despite our best efforts, sometimes things can still end up going wrong.  Here are some common moving mistakes and the best ways to avoid them.

Moving When Everybody Else Is

If you're looking for a cost effective move, consider moving toward the beginning or the end of the month, and not moving during the summer.  Try to move when everybody else is not is a great way to avoid over-extended movers who may be so over-worked that something is bound to go wrong.

Making A Last Minute Move

The earlier that you can start your move, the more moving companies you can have do a visual inspection and quotation, and the more research you will be able to do.  Not having to rush around will save you quite a bit of stress.

Choosing The Lowest Price

Moving can be quite expensive, so it will be tempting to decide on a mover based on price alone.  This is almost always a mistake.  Clever movers will quote one low price up front, then find creative ways to tack on extras.  Some unethical movers have even been known to try to collect more money upfront when they reach your new home, actually refusing to unload the truck until you pay them what they are asking.

Getting An Estimate Online

Think about it:  Movers in one way or another charge by the weight and volume, and by the time that it will take to load and unload, all of your items.  This is why getting a visual inspection and quotation from multiple moving companies is so important.  There is really no practical way that an online quote can come close to being accurate because every move is unique and different.

Forgetting To Back Up Your Computer

This is a very common moving mistake.  If possible, take your computer with you when you move instead of having the moving company handle it.  Much like losing an item with sentimental value, the data that could be lost from computer damage is often time irreplaceable.