The DONT’S of Moving House

We all know a lot of the ‘do-s’ of moving – the things it’s vital to have on the checklist and work our way through. Most of us have moved quite a few times by early adulthood and feel we’ve got it down to a fine art. But sometimes, we’re much closer to a pitfall than we realise and one false move could undo all the hard work and usher our house-move into a state of peril and disaster. So it’s worth thinking about the things not to do during or even before a move. If you know some of these potential mistakes, you’re far less likely to make them. Your move can go ahead as planned without being derailed by disaster. It’s just not worth being rash or taking un-calculated risks when you’re doing something as important as moving into a new space for living, a space where you may be intending to stay for years and years, perhaps forever.

So, let’s begin:

DON’T…just hire any old moving company without meeting them, forming an impression, and checking their online presence, including customer feedback. Consider friends’ recommendations or people other family members have used in the past.

DON’T…simply go with the company who gives you the lowest estimate. Yes, good value is important but there are other considerations. Does your mover come with insurance? What is the public standing of the company with the lowest estimate – are they well thought of, or just a fly-by-night type of outfit?

DON’T…pack up your valuables and let them be stowed away on the moving vehicle. Vital things you usually keep in your safe, such as jewellery, cash, and documents including your birth certificate and passport, should be gathered up by you and kept with you at all times. See to this now, personally, and avoid problems later.

DON’T (or try note to)…ask questions when your movers are carrying heavy, challenging objects up and down stairs or through doorways and corridors. While they no doubt understand that this is a stressful time for you, and that you may need to talk about something, it is potentially dangerous to distract them during tricky manoeuvres such as these. If you can, wait until they’ve done the heavy lifting and then broach your subject”

DON’T…relax at your new home until you’ve checked that any contents that were meant to remain there, either as part of the purchase price or rental agreement, are all still in place. It’s much harder to do this once you’ve completely unpacked and made the place your own.