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Common Moving Mistakes to Avoid

March 10, 2017

There are a number of major moving mistakes which can be made during the process of moving home, resulting in problems that make the move unnecessarily complicated. With around three million people at risk a year, we’ve created this guide on common moving mistakes and how to avoid them.

Not being organised

The most common mistake is not being properly organised. In order to make your move run smoothly, you should agree a moving date with your removal company at least 2 weeks in advance so that you can plan ahead to that date. Time management during this period is extremely important as you will have many things to do before your move. Make sure that you set aside enough time to pack all of your belongings, or you will have a very stressful moving day.

Relying solely on family/friends

You might think that renting a van and convincing your friends to carry your boxes will save you lots of money. Unless you’re moving across the street though, this is almost never the case - most moves would benefit from the services of a professional moving company. Hiring a professional has additional benefits to the time and stress that you’ll be saving.

Depending on which removal company you choose, you can also receive insurance so that you’ll be covered if your items get damaged or lost in transit. Moving companies may also provide packing services for delicate items or disassembly and assembly of large furniture.

Not packing properly


To prevent damage to yourself and your possessions during the move, you should avoid the following rookie packing mistakes:

  • Overloading - Heavy boxes are awkward to move and can cause back strain, and over-loading cardboard boxes can cause them to rip - potentially causing damage to the items and yourself!

  • Not providing enough protection - Delicate and fragile items need extra attention to detail in the packing process. Learn more about how to pack fragile items your belongings carefully.

  • Leaving any sharp points or edges - If such features are jutting out of your boxes, this is a significant safety hazard, especially for other people who may not be aware of this when lifting and/or moving the boxes.

  • Not labelling moving boxes - We recommend labelling each box for the destination that they need to be placed in your new home. Label each side - not on the top - of each box so these can be easily read when stacked on top of each other. Additionally, don’t just label the contents of each box, you should consider using a coding system for things such as weight and value - marking especially heavy boxes that would need more than one person to lift.

  • Not taking an inventory - Make a detailed list of all the items you have entrusted to the movers and photos of their current condition will be very useful if any disputes arise.

    • You don’t inform everyone

    You may have thought you were fine if you just notified your landlord that you are moving, but don't forget about informing your utility companies about your move-out date, changing your mail address and leaving a forwarding address. If you don't notify the relevant people, then you will continue paying the bills for your old house, where someone else is living. Not doing this is also a security issue and can also have an impact on your credit and financial standing. Check our moving house checklist to find out who you should notify when moving house.

    Buddy has to move too!

    With all of the other things you're stressing about, it's easy to forget that your pet needs to be taken care of too -- and that's one thing you can't have the movers put in a box! Pets often find moving very stressful, so it can be a good idea to leave them with a trusted friend or family member during your move; this will also make sure that your pets do not cause accidents, such as tripping people up! Otherwise, there are other little tips and tricks to consider when moving house with pets that should reduce the amount of stress during your move.

    Sometimes it is the seemingly simple things that can affect your move negatively. Make sure you plan ahead and follow our simple tips for a stress free move! If you have any additional questions, you can speak to our customer service team at AnyVan on020 3872 3050.