Moving house is stressful enough without small mistakes turning into big headaches. After helping thousands of people move, we’ve noticed the same issues come up again and again. The good news is that most of them are completely avoidable with a little planning and some realistic expectations.
Here are the top 10 mistakes people make when moving, and how you can stay clear of them:
1. Leaving packing to the last minute
Most people think they can pack an entire home in a day or two, but once you open those cupboards and drawers, reality hits fast. This usually leads to rushed packing, broken items, and a very long night before moving day.
Fix: Start packing 2–3 weeks before your move. Do one small area each day so the job never feels overwhelming.
2. Not decluttering first
If you pack everything you own without sorting it, you’ll end up paying to move things you haven’t used in years — and probably don’t want. It also means more boxes to unpack in the new place, which slows everything down.
Fix: Go through each room and split items into keep, donate, sell, or bin. Even clearing one bag a day makes a big difference.
3. Using weak or random boxes
It’s tempting to grab old supermarket boxes or reuse the flimsy ones from your last move, but they’re usually too weak to hold much and often collapse when lifted. This is one of the main reasons items get damaged.
Fix: Use strong, double-walled moving boxes. They protect your things properly and stack safely in the van. Make sure to label them clearly.
4. Forgetting to measure furniture
Large pieces like sofas, wardrobes, or American-style fridges often run into problems when doorways or staircases are tight. You don’t want to find this out when your movers are already standing there with the item in hand.
Fix: Measure your bigger furniture and check the doorways, hallways, and lifts in your new home ahead of time. It saves a lot of stress.
5. Overpacking boxes
A big box packed full of books or plates might seem efficient, but once it needs lifting, it becomes obvious that heavy items really do need smaller boxes. Overpacked boxes also rip easily, especially on the bottom.
Fix: Keep heavy things in small boxes and use large boxes for lighter items like bedding, cushions, and clothes.
6. Not protecting fragile items properly
Fragile items need more than just a towel wrapped around them. If things move around inside the box, they’re likely to break during transport, even with careful handling.
Fix: Wrap plates vertically, cushion the bottom of each box, and fill any empty gaps with packing paper or soft items so nothing shifts around.
7. Forgetting to label boxes with rooms
On moving day, unlabeled boxes cause chaos. Everything ends up in the wrong place, and you’ll spend hours trying to figure out where your kettle or toothbrush ended up.
Fix: Write the room name clearly on the top and sides of every box. Colour-coding can help too, especially if you have several people helping.
8. Not booking movers early enough
Good removal companies often get booked up weeks in advance, especially at busy times like the end of the month or school holidays. Leaving it too late limits your options and can make the whole process more stressful.
Fix: Book your movers as soon as you know your moving date. Early booking also gives you time to plan other things, like packing and cleaning.
9. Not having a plan for pets and kids
Moving day is busy, noisy, and full of open doors — not ideal for little ones or pets who can get stressed or wander off. It also makes it harder for movers to work efficiently.
Fix: Arrange childcare, ask a family member for help, or set up a quiet room where pets can relax safely while the move is happening.
10. Trying to do everything alone
A DIY move can seem cheaper or simpler, but when it comes to heavy lifting, tight staircases, and long hours, most people quickly realise why movers exist. It’s tiring, time-consuming, and often leads to accidental damage.
Fix: Even if you’re not booking a full service, get help. A couple of extra pairs of hands can completely change how smoothly your move goes.
Final tip
A smooth move isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being prepared. A little planning now saves you stress on the day and helps everything run much more easily. If you need support with packing, moving, or getting a quote, we’re always here to help and keep things simple.
Get a free quote by calling 078 3875 8495 or email info@atatransportremovals.com .