People under a lot of stress tend to make mistakes. This is why before you can even feel the strain of adjusting to an entirely new environment, you would still have to face the pressures of preparing for your move.
This is particularly true when moving interstate. It is quite challenging to keep your cool if you’re faced with a mountain of tasks, not to mention what can be a costly change in your life. Because of this, it is important that you be prepared by coming up with measures to prevent problems from cropping up along the way.
To do so, you must first know the four most common mistakes people who are relocating to another state tend to make.
1. Not Shopping Around for Professional Movers
The number of moving companies offering assistance in relocation continues to increase, which is why it can be daunting to shop around for a moving partner. However, this shouldn’t change the fact that you still need to expand your horizon and do research in order to hire the right moving company for your interstate move.
Make sure to list down potential movers, starting with those within the vicinity of your old home and those that were recommended by professionals and other people you trust. You should also collect information about these candidates and get estimates based on the specific details of your interstate move.
From there, assess the value each company can offer your move. Before making a decision, make sure you get as many reviews for the final candidates. Don’t just choose based on the rate as it may cost you a lot more in the long run if you end up making the wrong choice.
2. Forgoing Insurance
Although it isn’t mandatory in some parts of the world, insurance remains an important part of professional moving services you should always check. Although there is little chance that you may need it if you pick the right movers for the job, you should never leave the safety of your belongings to fate.
When shopping around, make sure to ask moving companies about the insurance policies that they offer. If you believe the options they gave you are insufficient, you can also try to look for independent firms to cover the items to be transported especially if some are of high value.
3. Committing These Packing Blunders
Packing for a move is one of the most important tasks you need to undertake. Because of this, it also comes with a lot of pressure which can lead to mistakes.
To prevent this from happening, here are some of the worst packing blunders and how you can avoid them:
● Not buying enough packing supplies (or buying too much)
Having just the right amount of packing
supplies is imperative for an interstate move. To avoid not buying enough or
overspending on these items, you should first assess what available supplies
you have at home before shopping for supplies. Make sure to consider the items
you have at home that can serve a second purpose like newspapers and beddings
that can double as cushioning material for breakable items.
● Using large boxes for heavy items
Heavy items should go into small boxes. This will make carrying them easier and reduce the possibility of the box collapsing or getting damaged because of the weight.
● Not packing early enough
Generally, you should begin packing as soon as you confirm the date of your move. The idea is to start the task at least two months prior to the set date to allow ample time for you to assess the need for supplies, prepare and declutter for the actual packing, and organize everything to make unpacking easier later on.
● Unorganized packing
Packing is a task that should be done with utmost care as unorganized packing can lead to headaches later. Make sure to come up with a plan before proceeding to make sure that you don’t waste your time and put unnecessary stress on yourself when things go awry. It is also the best practice to make unpacking easier.
● Not labeling boxes
Labeling all boxes indicating each one’s content, handling instructions, and the assigned room is important for an organized move.
4. Not Preparing an Essentials Bag
An essentials bag will save you the stress
of having to rummage through several boxes during your first few days in your
new place. It should contain essential
supplies and provisions—from beddings to
toiletries and food and drinks—that will help you last several days while you
unpack.
Choose a No Fuss Interstate Move
When moving to another state, the first thing you need to do is research about how you can avoid the aforementioned mistakes that can lead to a mountain of problems later on. Use this article as a guide to prepare for potential setbacks in your interstate move so you can focus on starting afresh in your new neighborhood.
AUTHOR BIO
Craig Jones is the Managing Director at Aussiemove, Australia’s largest independent moving alliance. Craig is a respected member of the removalist network in Australia, having served in senior positions, including the President of the removal industries governing body, the Australian Furniture Removals Association (AFRA). With 23 years of experience at Aussiemove, he has the skills and the highly trained team to move families safely and reliably, in Adelaide, across Australia and around the world.