tip

Make a note of your shipment registration number found in the upper right hand corner of your Bill of Lading and keep it with you in case you need to call your mover with questions about your shipment

The Biggest Moving Day Mistakes

As moving day begins to creep closer, chances are stress levels begin to rise.  Have you squared everything away to ensure an easy and painless long-distance move?  You may now want to wait until moving day or the day before to answer this question.  Instead, try to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to planning your next long-distance move.  As the premier Kamloops movers, we would like to share what are some of the biggest moving day pitfalls and how you can avoid them.

Leaving Everything Until the Last Minute

By leaving everything – packing, booking and moving, until the last minute you are guaranteed to encounter more moving day problems than you can possibly imagine.  The simplest fix for this common moving day mistake- Start your packing and booking process early, be organized and have an overall game plan. This may all sound like common sense to you but from our experience (and we have lots) you would not believe how many times we have shown up with our moving truck and absolutely nothing has been packed and there is no plan at all on how things are going to magically get from one end of the country to the other.

The easiest way to avoid this all too common moving day mistake; get out a calendar, circle some dates months or at least weeks away from your actual move and start to formulate a plan.  Some tips to ensure a smooth moving day include:

  • Begin packing your non-essentials or seasonal items early.
  • Label every box appropriately and remember to write the entire contents of each box, not just kitchen stuff.
  • Ensure that you have enough boxes to pack your belongings as well as sharpies and enough packing tape and protective wrap, such as bubble wrap.

Refusing to Downsize

Trying to take absolutely everything with you when you go to move can be a huge mistake.  Not only may you not have room for all your belongings, but there is also a word for this type of behaviour – a hoarder. Treat your long-distance move as an opportunity to start fresh, to downsize and reduce the number of items that you will be taking to your new home.  Not only will this greatly reduce the number of boxes that you need to pack, but it will also help you start your new life in your new home with less stuff.  Think of this downsizing as liberating and be ruthless.

Not Turning on Your Utilities

Canceling your home’s utilities is only part of the equation when it comes to moving long-distances.  One of the most common mistakes is forgetting to turn on your utilities in your new home.  The last thing that you want is to move into a new home without electricity or heat.  Moving in the dark is no fun and dangerous, to say the least.  Put a note or memo in your phone and let each utility company know your move-in date.  This way you will have light and heat from day one and one less thing to worry about.

Planning for Pets

If you have a pet, chances are that you will be bringing them with you.  However, have you included their needs as part of your moving plan?  Each pet has a set of unique needs and thus will require an entire plan on how you are going to meet these needs, as you bring them with you on your long-distance move.  Start planning early to avoid a total catastrophe come moving day.

Important Documents

When you are packing your belongings, be sure that you have a separate and very safe place for your important documents.  Chances are you are going to need a wide range of these documents as you approach moving day and even during your long-distance move and if they are packed at the bottom of a box somewhere in the moving truck or are scattered throughout your belongings you are going to have a very difficult time of moving.  Avoid this costly mistake by keeping them all together in an organized folder and have them in your care from the start until the end of your move.

No Survival Box

Forgetting to put together a survival box that you can keep with you in your car as you make your way to your new home can be a huge mistake.  The more people who are moving will mean a larger survival box or boxes.  When packing a survival box be sure to include:

  • Chargers for personal electronics – phone chargers, table chargers etc.
  • Important documents – see above.
  • Changes of clothing.
  • Diapers, formula, bottles- if you have a baby.
  • Toiletries and any type of medication, if necessary.
  • Any pet food or special items for pets.
  • Important personal belongings, such as stuffies for young children

When packing the survival box remember to pack enough clothes for the number of days you are going to be on the road.  One pair of clothes is not enough if you are moving to Newfoundland.  Be sure to plan accordingly.

Flying Solo

Do not, and I repeat, do not try to undertake the entire long-distance moving process on your own.  Not only will it be overwhelming, but you will also find that the entire process from start to finish is a lot bigger and more arduous than you may have previously envisioned.  Instead, enlist the help of friends or better yet, a professional moving company who has years of experience of moving entire homes long-distances. The extra help will be well worth the price in the long run.

By avoiding these common long-distance moving mistakes, you will be able to have a relatively stress-free and positive move.  If you have any comments or questions on any of these common moving pitfalls or would like more information on the moving services that we provide, please do not hesitate to call.  Our professional, experienced, and friendly staff are here to answer your queries and would love to be a part of your next long-distance move.  We look forward to working with you soon.

 

 

 


We sell a complete line of packing and moving supplies, as well as providing professional Packing and Unpacking services.

Pioneer Moving and Storage

231 Andover Crescent Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada V2C 6X2
Tel: 250-573-6083
Cell: 778-220-3720
Toll Free: 1-877-746-5423

Member

  • Long time and active member of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and past President

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Weekly Departures to:

Calgary, Edmonton
Saskatoon, Winnipeg
Toronto, London
Ottawa, Montreal
Fredericton, Halifax

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Kamloops Mover

Kamloops Mover