Avoid Sticker Shock: Experts Reveal the Top Costly Moving Mistakes to Watch Out For

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Prepping for a move can be a stressful, not to mention expensive, process. From packing up your home to eventually unloading and unpacking, it’s no surprise that some things can slip through the cracks as you plan your move. Whether you’re getting ready to move from Boston to the west coast or down the street to your new rental in Austin, we’ve got you covered. We reached out to experts for the top costly moving mistakes they notice and how you can avoid them. Read on to find out what these mistakes are to prevent the dreaded sticker shock. 

Moving mistake 1: Skimping on necessary costs

Don’t try to save. When it comes to hiring a moving company, it costs you more if you try to cut costs at the end of the day. Save your back, not your money. –Best USA Movers Orlando

Moving mistake 2: Not seeing the whole picture of your move

A moving mistake we notice is not having enough information before moving. A detailed and accurate inventory of items guarantees that a move will go smoothly, as movers can prepare accordingly and be entirely ready for you. If a customer is unsure of what they need or is not prepared to move, it may cost them more time and money than they expect. –On the Fly Moving Guys

Moving mistake 3: Overlooking the “valuation” choices

When customers are shopping for their moving company, they often overlook the “valuation” choices. Moving companies are not insurance brokers and can’t sell insurance; instead, we offer a valuation. I recommend all customers purchase some amount of valuation. Even with the best moving companies, accidents can sometimes happen. How they’re handled afterward is entirely determined by the customer’s valuation choice. Understanding the options and how they work if something goes wrong is the key to making that choice. Just because a moving company is insured doesn’t mean damage to a customer’s belongings is covered. That coverage comes from the customer opting to purchase valuation from the moving company. It is better for both the customer and the company to have this discussion upfront, so there are no misunderstandings. –Road Haugs, Inc

Moving mistake 4: Not planning ahead

Planning ahead will save you time, money, and headaches, whether it’s reserving your movers or a storage unit near your destination. –San Diego Self Storage

Moving mistake 5: Forgetting to insure your belongings

Make sure to always properly wrap and protect your belongings. Many costly mistakes are that most moving companies’ insurance is covered by weight. For example, a TV is very light but expensive. A cargo insurance claim will not reimburse you for the actual cost of the TV but by how much it weighs. Another way to avoid this is to ensure that your moving company provides full coverage insurance vs. general cargo insurance. –Aristocrat Moving

Moving mistake 6: Packing procrastination

The top moving mistake we often see is not having your boxes packed and ready to move. Most estimates are based on everything ready to load when the movers arrive. The additional time needed to pack items that aren’t prepared to move adds much more labor and possible material cost than anticipated. Packing always takes longer than most people realize, so plan far enough in advance to accomplish this before your move day. –Carte Blanche Moving

Moving mistake 7: Going with the first company you find

Moving is expensive, so save money by using items around your home to pack. Then, use the money saved to hire the best movers you can afford. Unscrupulous movers often use “low estimates” to lure consumers into making an expensive mistake when suddenly, on move day, the actual cost balloons to double or triple what they quoted. –Move Coordinators

Moving mistake 8: Forgetting about parking accommodations on moving day

One major mistake is not securing parking for the truck. Without good access for the truck, the movers lose time finding parking, often parking illegally, which then leads to ticketing (which gets added to the bill). Similarly, if parked further away, the team has to travel further with the belongings. Time is money, and it adds up quickly. –Exela Movers

Hannah is part of the content marketing team and covers topics related to home trends, personal finance, decor, and more. She particularly enjoys writing about real estate trends and home improvement.
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