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Moving is so simple, what can go wrong?
When you’re moving your home, chances are you have a plan.
- Hiring a moving company or having a DIY move
- How to pack your household items
- How to load the moving truck
- How to transport your items
- How to unload and unpack
But having a moving plan does not guarantee that you’d move your home successfully. So many things can happen when you’re moving your home. And not everything is under your control. But if you’re aware of what may possibly go wrong, perhaps you can take the right steps to prevent such situations.
I have compiled a list of eleven things that may go wrong whenever you’re moving and the right actions you can take whenever any of these situations occur.
11 Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Move
1. The movers you hired are a NO-SHOW!
You have been planning for your move for quite a while and to make the entire process easier, you hired a moving company. But while you are all set, on the moving day the mover you hired failed to show up. What exactly should you do?
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
When you hire a moving company, make sure the deal you have with the mover is in writing and signed. Call the moving company two weeks before your move to remind them of the moving date. If possible, call them again one week before your moving date.
Also, make sure the mover have your exact home address and phone number. If you don’t see the movers on the scheduled time, call their company or representative to find out what exactly is happening.
2. The moving truck that showed up is too small
The moving company you hire may show up with a smaller moving truck than is required to move your items. This means the moving company will possibly make more trips than is expected and request extra charges.
Also, if you hire a mover without allowing a home inspection or hide some of your stuff during the inspection in order to get a cheaper estimate, you may end up with a moving truck that is smaller than what is required to move your household items.
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
The solution is simple. Before hiring any moving company, ensure their representative visit your home and walk through the rooms. It is crucial for them to see the household items you intend to move in order to come up with the right moving estimate and come with the right moving truck size on the moving day. Also, make sure all agreements are in writing and signed. You may need the paperwork as evidence.
3. No Parking Space for the Moving Truck
The removal team is required to carry your household items from your home to the truck within a specified distance. If the moving truck cannot park anywhere near your home within the expected distance, you may be requested to pay extra charges to get your things carried from your home to the truck.
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
If you observe there is no place where a moving truck can park around your home, discuss the situation with the moving company’s representative before the moving day. Ask about the required distance between the moving truck and your home and how the extra charges for additional distance is calculated. You will be better prepared if you are aware of what to expect.
4. Unnecessary damage to household appliances
The removal men are not plumbers or electricity experts and they may know nothing about disconnecting appliances. It is a good idea not to rely on them to help you disconnect your appliances. But disconnecting your appliances in a hurry when you see the moving truck may cause unnecessary damage.
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
If you want your move to go smoothly, ensure all your appliances are disconnected by appropriate experts and packed accordingly. Some moving companies have experts that can disconnect and pack appliances, do not hesitate to ask your mover if you need the services of any.
Even if you intend to pack your household items all by yourself or with the assistance of anyone, ensure that your appliances are disconnected appropriately and packed as required before the movers arrive.
5. Moving Quote is much HIGHER than the estimate given
What if the moving company you hired holds your household belongings to ransom after loading and asks you to pay unexpected extra charges? Sounds like a scary joke, but you’d be surprised to see how many times this happens. Moving companies give low estimates to book the job and then later raise the price after everything is loaded in the truck. They claim that the weight of your items is much higher than estimated and now you’re in trouble.
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
To prevent this situation, ensure you have a water tight deal with the moving company you hire. Request for a binding estimate; it guarantees the amount you are charged before the move does not change.
Ensure all your agreements are written and signed appropriately and accordingly. Make sure every payment and requirement is clearly specified in the deal including parking permit, insurance, waiting time, penalties etc. nothing should be left to chance.
6. Tight internal or external stairways
You may not be able to get your wardrobe or bed through the door or through tight stairways. Situations like these can slow you down and delay your entire move. Also, you may be required to pay some extra charges to get these items moved.
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
To prevent any of these situations, before the moving day you should take necessary measurements and check if the size of your furniture can fit into your stairway and doors. If not, contact your mover and ask if they can help you pack such item or furniture or call a packing expert to help you get the job done.
7. You lost your Bill of Lading
The bill of lading is the detailed list of your household items in the form of a receipt given by the mover to the person consigning the household items. The bill of lading indicates the contract between you and the moving company you hired. But what if you lost your bill of lading on or before the moving day? Losing the Bill of Lading puts you at risk because now you have now official record to tally that you got everything back from the moving company. After you move, you want to do a thorough inventory check to make sure nothing is lost. Bill of Lading is the official document that you will need to file a claim.
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
Consider making a photocopy of your bill of lading and keep each copy separately. If possible, scan the document and save it online as draft on your email address or any other online resources such as Google Drive or Drop Box. You may need your bill of lading anytime even after your move.
8. The moving company gets lost
The moving truck loaded with your household items can get lost while trying to locate your new home. This often happens when you are making a long-distance move or moving across state lines.
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
You should make sure the moving company has the appropriate address of your new home as well as your postcode and mobile number. Also, ensure there is someone at the new home with a set of keys to welcome the moving company and ensure your items is unloaded and unpacked before your arrival.
Call the moving company’s representative every one or two hours to find out if they need your assistance to locate your new home.
9. Injuries
One of the worst things that can happen to anyone involved in your moving is injury. If any of the moving crew or one of your family members is injured during the move, you may be compelled to change your entire moving plans.
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
You should make sure safety is your key concern on the moving day, especially during packing, carrying items, loading and unloading. Do your best to keep your pets and kids out of the way of the moving men as they carry items back and forth.
Also, clear all obstacles out of the way including protruding branches and clear dry leaves out of the way. Don’t forget to dress appropriately for the occasion. Wear smart comfortable clothes and avoid baggy clothes as they can get caught up in piece and make you fall.
10. Damaged/Broken Items
If you fail to label your boxes, fragile items may be carried inappropriately and damaged easily. Also, your boxes may be loaded on the truck inappropriately causing further damage while in transit. Not labeling your boxes will slow down the unpacking process and make your entire home arrangement difficult.
Expert tip to avoid this scenario
All your moving boxes must be labeled appropriately on all sides. If possible, indicate what room each box should end up. Label boxes that contain fragile items appropriately and indicate what side should be up. Labeling your boxes will make your packing and unpacking process easier and faster.
11. Not hiring any moving company
While the ten situations listed above may occur while you are moving, one of the worst things that can happen is not hiring any moving company. Almost any DIY skill is awesome until you try relocating all by yourself.
Moving is rated as one of the most stressful events in life. Renting a truck, buying necessary insurance, packing, loading the truck, driving to your new home, unloading, and unpacking are some of the key process of moving. You may be able to do all the moving by yourself or with the help of friends but at what cost?
Moving experts have the necessary skills, experience and equipment to handle all aspects of relocation from start to finish. They are aware of all the dangers involved in each stage of the move and how to avoid them. Hiring a professional licensed mover will make your relocation less stressful and give you a good reason to sit back, relax and enjoy your relocation.
