Transitioning to a new home can be stressful, but sometimes a few small mistakes can make the process more difficult than it needs to be. Knowing what to expect can help you minimize unnecessary stress and keep your move on track, so to help your relocation run smoothly, in this blog we’ll examine seven of the most common moving mistakes and provide practical tips for avoiding them.
Waiting Until the Last Minute
Moving takes a lot of work, but starting early helps ensure it’s done at a comfortable pace. Rushing not only leaves you exhausted, but it also increases the risk of accidents. When you don’t have time to pack correctly or purchase enough moving supplies, boxes become overstuffed, fragile items don’t get enough protection, and stuff from different rooms often gets mixed together. (Mixing rooms may not sound like a big deal, but it can make unpacking a long, drawn-out headache.)
Starting early also ensures that you can secure the help you need. Moving companies are often booked weeks in advance. Wait too long and there’s a good chance someone will reserve your preferred date and time, forcing you to rearrange your schedule in the final days leading up to your move. Most moving companies recommend booking your relocation:
- 4–6 Weeks Ahead of Time, if You’re Moving Locally
- 8-12 Weeks Ahead of Time, if You’re Moving to Another State
- 3-6 Months Ahead of Time, if You’re Moving to Another Country
Unless you’ve asked your movers to handle the packing or supply the materials, you’ll need to go out and buy packing supplies so you can start organizing your household. Preparing a 4-bedroom house normally takes 60-80 hours, while a two-bedroom apartment takes 20-30. Spreading this work out over several weeks ensures everything gets boxed correctly while still leaving enough time for other responsibilities, such as work and childcare.
Not Researching Your Moving Company
While most moving companies are honest, there are a few that take advantage of customers instead of helping them. Within the industry, companies known as “rogue movers” sometimes pose as legitimate moving companies to gain access to your belongings. Once they have them on their truck, they either raise their rates or refuse to deliver your goods until they receive an exorbitant fee.
According to our 2026 Consumer Moving Scams Survey, nearly twenty percent of respondents encountered some type of rogue mover during their last relocation. The best way to avoid them is to research moving companies in your area before booking. Because they aren’t lawful businesses, rogue movers have several red flags that are easy to spot, such as:
- Requests for Large, Upfront Deposits
- Unclear Pricing
- Refusal to List Fees in Writing
- No Verifiable Address
- No License or FMCSA Number
- No Insurance Information
To protect yourself:
- Verify Your Mover’s Address, Insurance, and Licensing
- Request Quotes from At Least Three Movers
- Ask Each Mover to Provide a Written Estimate
Websites and online reviews are another good indication. Established movers normally have large, multi-page websites and a long history of customer feedback on sites like Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Because rogue movers change names frequently to avoid detection and accountability, they lack this kind of digital footprint. Their sites are often simple and customer reviews are hard to find.
When taken into account alongside the other red flags listed above, it should help you identify rogue movers in your area and focus on the honest, legitimate movers willing to do the hard work necessary to safely transport your belongings to your new home.
Failing to Declutter
Bringing everything in your current home to your new one is normally a waste of time and money. Most people accumulate a lot of unnecessary items over the years: knick-knacks, old magazines, and unused kitchen appliances. Items like these not only have to be boxed up, but loaded, unloaded, and unpacked, adding hours to the process.
Because moving prices are based on weight, volume, and distance, decluttering also reduces costs. The less you bring, the less you pay, so going through your home and getting rid of surplus items helps keep your move on budget.
Start by going through each room and sorting its contents into three categories: yes, no, and maybe. If you’re having trouble deciding what to bring, follow the one-year rule, which states that anything you haven’t used, worn, or touched in the last 12 months should be left behind.
Once you’ve made a list of the things you don’t want to take with you, you’ll need to decide what to do with them. While damaged or broken items should be discarded, items in good condition can be:
- Sold. Selling unwanted items helps raise extra money while reducing landfill waste. You can organize a garage sale or list your items on sites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.
- Donated. Charities like Goodwill and the Salvation Army are always happy to accept donations. Some will come to your house and pick up larger items like furniture and appliances for free.
- Given Away. If there’s something you think a friend or family member would appreciate, reach out and let them know. It’s a good way to handle sentimental items that are too large or fragile to be transported long distances.
Not Following Proper Packing Techniques
Putting items into boxes without the right supplies or protection often results in damage. Bumps, jolts, and vibrations are an inescapable part of moving, especially over long distances. Proper packing techniques will help protect belongings from dents, cracks, or scratches.
If you’ve hired a professional packing service, you won’t need to worry about packing materials. The movers will bring everything they need with them. However, if you’re tackling the job yourself, make sure you have the right supplies, such as:
- Packing Paper
- Packing Peanuts
- Bubble Wrap
- Packing Tape
- Permanent Markers
- Moving Blankets
- Plastic Stretch Wrap
- Professional Moving Boxes
Professional moving boxes are made from double-corrugated cardboard, which allows them to hold more weight and absorb impacts better than regular banker’s boxes. Once you’ve finished gathering your supplies:
- Double Tape the Bottom of Each Box. The tape should be long enough to reach halfway up each side.
- Cushion the Bottom of the Box. A layer of packing peanuts or bubble wrap works best.
- Wrap Each Item Individually. Cover each item with a layer of packing paper or bubble wrap before placing them inside the box.
- Don’t Fill the Box All the Way to the Top. Leave 1-2 inches of free space so you can add another layer of cushioning.
- Tape the Top of the Box. Use a strip long enough to stretch halfway down each side, for better anchoring.
- Label Each Box. Write its destination and contents on every side.
If you’re preparing furniture, remove any detachable parts such as legs, drawers, and headboards first. Small components should be wrapped in bubble wrap while large ones should be wrapped in moving blankets. Then cover the rest of the piece with moving blankets and use plastic wrap to hold them in place.
Not Updating Relevant Parties
Sometimes, homeowners become so focused on packing and logistics that they forget to notify service providers, financial institutions, and government agencies about their change of address—leading to frustrations and delays later on. Changing your address is a simple matter, but contacting all the relevant parties can take a while. To ensure a smooth transition, sit down and make a list of everyone you need to inform. This may include:
- The Post Office
- DMV
- IRS
- Bank
- Credit Cards
- Mortgage Companies
- Phone Company
- Water Company
- Gas & Electricity Providers
- Internet providers
- Insurance Companies
- Employer
- Medical Providers
- Streaming Services
- Retail Websites
- Payment Services
- Retail Clubs
- Religious Institutions
The good news is that most address changes can be handled online in a matter of minutes. Simply log onto the site, enter your new address, and you’re done. In addition to your contact information, service providers also require you to provide start and end dates.
To avoid overpaying, ask your current providers to shut off the gas, water, electricity, and internet the day after you leave. At the same time, to ensure everything’s ready when you arrive, ask your new providers to start service the day before you’re scheduled to arrive.
Finally, don’t forget to update your voter registration. While not strictly required, taking care of it will save you some hassle when election season rolls around.
Not Preparing For Your First Night
Most people are too tired to unpack and set up their new home as soon as they arrive. But this is the exact situation many homeowners find themselves in when they don’t create a first-night bag. A first-night bag contains a small number of essentials designed to help you settle in and relax before you start unpacking. Most experts recommend packing:
- Pajamas
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Bath Towels
- Hand Towels
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Comb
- Hairbrush
- Razor
- Shaving Cream
- Moisturizer
- Make Up
- Make Up Remover
- Change of Clothes
- Medications
- Phone Charger
You may also want to include some entertainment options, such as a book, tablet, or laptop. Normally, it only takes a day to set up your bedroom and bathroom, so if you’re moving locally, you probably won’t need to pack much. However, if you’re moving long-distance, keep in mind that logistics and regulations often prevent movers from traveling as quickly as homeowners.
Under these circumstances, you may want to add a few items to your overnight bag, such as a sleeping bag, portable mattress, and some additional clothing, to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible while you wait for your belongings to catch up with you.
Doing It All Yourself
Moving is hard work. Boxing up your belongings, carrying them out to the truck, and getting them set up again normally takes more time and effort than one person can muster. In many cases, it’s not safe either. Preparing and transporting large items (sofas, mattresses, big-screen televisions, etc.) requires at least two people. Trying to handle them on your own can lead to accidents and muscle strain, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Reach out to your friends, family, and neighbors and ask them to lend a hand. Even if they can’t help you move everything, their efforts will make the job smoother and less stressful in the long run.
A moving company can reduce the burden even further. Full-service movers can help you streamline every aspect of the moving process, from planning to packing to shipping. Their teams are trained on safe packing and carrying techniques and can even provide moving supplies like boxes, packing paper, and furniture blankets.
They can also help you disassemble and reassemble furnishings, even electronics like televisions and sound systems, while simultaneously arranging short-term and long-term storage for your belongings, if necessary.
Final Advice
The difference between a successful move and a stressful one often comes down to planning. Homeowners who think ahead are better prepared for the complexities of relocating. That’s why movers recommend checklists and timelines to help you keep track of what needs to be done and when—so you can handle every task without rushing, worrying, or cutting corners.
North American Moving Services
North American Van Lines is a full-service moving company. Whether you’re going across the country or across the world, our team is ready to help. We don’t just handle the heavy lifting. We treat your belongings with care from start to finish, so you can focus on what comes next. Contact us today for a free quote!