Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences in life, especially in a bustling city like Chicago. Hiring a professional moving company can simplify the process, but even with help, inevitable mistakes can still make moving day chaotic. Whether you are relocating across town or to another neighborhood, avoiding these common errors can save time, protect your belongings, and make the entire experience smoother.
Misjudging the Time Required
One of the most common mistakes people make on moving day is underestimating how long it will take. Many people think a move will only take a few hours, but packing, loading, moving, and unloading can take much longer than they expect. Traffic, severe weather, or unexpected packing problems can all cause delays.
To ensure you have ample time, begin packing early. Start with things or rooms you don’t use frequently. Pack in an organized way by labeling boxes with the room and contents. Get up early on moving day, eat a healthy breakfast, and give yourself some extra time in case something goes wrong. If you’re hiring movers, confirm the start time at least a day before the move so everyone is ready.
Forgetting to Measure Doorways and Furniture
Your old furniture may not fit through the new doors, even if it fits perfectly in your old home. Failing to measure doorways, stairwells, and hallways in advance can lead to frustration when heavy furniture gets stuck or breaks.
Before moving day, measure large pieces of furniture, such as sofas, bed frames, and refrigerators. Next, measure all the ways to get into your new home. If something won’t fit, consider taking it apart or finding another way to get there. You can prevent furniture from scratching or denting in tight spaces or narrow hallways by wrapping it in blankets or padding. Doing these things ahead of time will save you time and stress.
Poor Labeling and Disorganized Packing
Many people rush to pack everything, filling boxes without properly labeling them. Later, when it’s time to unpack, it can be challenging to locate things you need every day. Bad labeling can also slow down movers because they won’t know where to put each box.
Make sure the labels are easy to read. On each box, write the name of the room and a brief description of what is inside. Put clear “Fragile” labels on several sides of fragile items. Have an “open first” box with things like toiletries, towels, phone chargers, and basic kitchen supplies. This makes it much easier to spend the first night in your new home.
Neglecting to Protect Valuables and Fragile Items
Even when you hire professional movers, you need to be extra careful with fragile things. Packing them quickly or placing them with heavier items could cause damage. Give extra care to electronics, glassware, art, and things that are important to you.
Wrap each fragile item separately in bubble wrap or packing paper. Put heavier things at the bottom of boxes and lighter things on top. Don’t leave spaces in boxes, as items can shift and break when moved. Put clear labels on boxes containing fragile items so movers know to handle them with care. If you have valuable items like jewelry, personal papers, or family heirlooms, move them yourself instead of putting them on the moving truck.
Overlooking Utility and Address Changes
You can get so caught up in packing that you forget to change your address or update your utilities. It can be very stressful to move into a new home without electricity, water, or internet. Missing mail or deliveries can also cause problems that could have been avoided.
Before your move, call your utility companies to set up service transfers. Be sure to inform the postal service, banks, credit card companies, and subscription services of your new address at least a week in advance. Consider using a list to ensure no accounts are overlooked.
A Smooth Move Is a Planned Move
To avoid common mistakes on moving day, you need to be organized and think ahead. Consider giving yourself more time than you need, measuring everything before you move, labeling everything, packing carefully, and double-checking all service changes. Preparing in advance prevents chaos and ensures the safety of your belongings.
If you want to leave your move to professionals who know how to deal with the problems that arise in Chicago neighborhoods, you might want to hire a reliable moving company. Experienced movers can handle logistics effectively, ensuring your belongings arrive safely and on time.
For a reliable, courteous, and efficient moving experience, contact 2 Guys and a Van. Their Chicago movers provide trusted service designed to make your transition simple and stress-free.
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