35% of Canadians make a move in a given 5-year period. Many of these moves are long-distance.

If you’re planning to make a long-distance move, you need to make sure that you know what to expect. Many people make mistakes during Kemptville long-distance moves that cost them money and cause unnecessary stress.

In this guide, we’ll list 10 long-distance moving mistakes and will tell you how to avoid them. 

1. Underestimating the difficulty of packing

One of the biggest moving mistakes you can make is failing to give yourself enough time to pack.

Packing up for your move can be a lot more difficult than you think it is and it can take a considerable amount of time. If you still have a lot of other responsibilities to take care of while preparing for your move, it can be hard to get all of the necessary packing done in time.

Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to pack up all of your things. Spread out the process if possible to ensure that you won’t feel rushed or stressed out. Take a systematic approach and start packing room by room or in another way that makes sense to you.

You might also want to consider using professional packing services as well. 

2. Not having a plan for transitions

You’ll also want to make sure to spend some time thinking about the actual transition from your old home to your new one.

Make sure that you consider the time it will take between the buying and selling process. You should know what you’ll do in case there is an interim between leaving your current home and moving into a new one.

You may need to spend some time staying in a hotel during your wait. You should think about what items you would like to have with you. Not everything should go on the moving truck but you should keep some belongings with you for the time that you’ll be spending in-between places.

Delays can happen when transporting items, so you may spend more time than you think in a hotel. You might want to pack a suitcase or overnight bag to ensure that you’ll have everything you need during a transition.

3. Failing to learn about storage options

As part of having a smooth moving transition, you should consider what your storage options are. You should ask a mover about the storage services that they offer and consider making use of them.

Storage solutions will allow you to have a little bit of wiggle room between your move from one home to another and will help you have a smooth transition. You’ll be able to make the move without needing to bring everything into your home all at once.

Using storage services will help your home to feel clean and uncluttered when first moving in. You’ll be able to move in a few boxes at a time and can slowly move your stuff in and make things how you want them to be. 

4. Not starting early

Not planning out your move early on is also a big mistake. You need to make sure that you’re talking to movers as soon as you know that you’re planning to move. Contact movers in advance of your move so that you’ll know that you’ll be able to use their services when the time comes.

You should also plan out every other part of your move ahead of time as well. Make sure that you know exactly what will be happening on moving day and the days leading up to it.

Not managing your time well is a big problem and can lead to the move being much more stressful overall.

5. Failing to label your boxes

Failing to label your boxes is also a major mistake that you should avoid. 

Once you pack all of your boxes up and transport them to your new home, it can be easy to forget what’s in each box. Labelling the boxes ahead of your trip will be well worth it and will help you find what you’re looking for once you start unpacking. This will help you take your time when unpacking and prioritize what you unpack and when.

Labelling your boxes can be very helpful, especially if you plan to take your time and unpack your belongings little by little. 

6. Going over budget

Another big mistake when moving long distances is not estimating your budget accurately ahead of time. You need to know how much you’re able to spend on the move and should be sure to have the money together by the time your moving day rolls around.

You should get quotes from several moving companies early on so that you can compare prices and make a good choice. Different movers will charge different amounts for their services, so you need to compare your options to find one that will work for you within your budget.

While you’ll want to make sure that a mover provides great services and is reliable, you should also take the cost into consideration as well.

7. Hanging onto unnecessary belongings

One of the secrets to having a streamlined and stress-free move is to get rid of any items that you don’t need before you relocate.

Especially when moving a long distance, you need to get rid of any unnecessary items in your home that you don’t actually need. If you have a lot of junk in your garage that you have been holding onto for years, it may be time to let some of it go.

You’ll want to scrutinize everything you have in your home and make sure that you really want to take each item with you. It may be better to replace some belongings or furniture before you move. Consider donating or selling some belongings before the moving day arrives.

8. Not getting moving insurance

If you’re making a major long-distance move, it’s usually a good idea to get moving insurance, otherwise known as transit insurance. This insurance will protect your belongings in case there is any damage when a mover is moving your stuff.

While a moving company will cover some damage, it could be pretty limited. Your home insurance may also fail to cover your belongings during a move.

For the most protection, getting third-party transit insurance is a good idea. Doing so will help ensure that you can get reimbursed for your belongings in case they are damaged or lost. This insurance will cover a lot more, so it could be worth getting if you’ll be transporting particularly valuable items.

9. Failing to create a checklist and timeline

Failing to create a moving checklist and timeline is also a big mistake when making a move. You need to think carefully about the entire process and should ensure that you’ve taken every part of your move into consideration.

Be sure that you’ve listed all of the things that you’ll need to accomplish and get together leading up to a big move. You’ll want to remember to purchase boxes and packing supplies in Kemptville, contact moving companies, and get everything in order beforehand.

You should also try to set a timeline so that you’ll be able to accomplish every important task ahead of time. Sticking to a timeline will help you to get things done without being stressed out along the way.

10. Not hiring professionals

You should also avoid underestimating how difficult a DIY move can be. You need to realize that it’s tough to move to a new home on your own or with just the help of some friends.

There are a lot of challenges that you’ll face during a long-distance move and you’ll need to pack, move, and plan your trip carefully. It can be tough to prepare for a move when you have a lot of other things going on in your life and it can be tiring to move all of your heavy furniture and boxes on your own.

Hiring professional moving companies in Kemptville can be a lot more beneficial than you might realize and is well worth considering. Even though you’ll be paying money to get help from the long-distance movers in Kemptville, the help can be well worth it and can make your move much less stressful and tiring overall.