Avoid these 6 most common moving mistakes

Try our Utah moving tips to make your change of address less stressful.

You know it’s Utah moving season when you suddenly find yourself with a whole new appreciation for bubble wrap. But there’s more to moving than stuffing your treasures into cardboard boxes. Avoid these moving mistakes to save time, money and unnecessary stress on your big day.

1. Waiting too long to book movers

If you’re planning to hire movers, put that task at the top of your moving checklist. For long-distance moves, you should book six to eight weeks in advance. If you’re just moving to another Utah neighborhood, you may be able to book two to four weeks beforehand. Planning ahead gives you more time to compare prices and services, as well as read past customer reviews.

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2. Underestimating packing time

How long can it take to throw a few things into boxes? Probably more than you think. For a one-bedroom apartment, it will likely only take a couple of days, whereas a 3-bedroom home could take you 3-5 full days dedicated to packing. 

Base your packing time on the volume of your belongings. Do you have a lot of small items? Will you need to wrap several fragile pieces? It’s a good idea to start packing non-essentials a few weeks in advance to lighten your load in the final days.

3. Not decluttering first

Moving is the perfect opportunity to get rid of all the items you no longer need. To avoid getting overwhelmed, go through one room at a time. Your garage is probably home to unused sporting equipment or holiday decorations. Bedroom closets may have clothes the kids have outgrown. Living room furniture may not fit the style of your new home.

Instead of sending your stuff to the landfill, make a little cash by selling it on KSL Classifieds. It’s free to list as many items as you like. Use our safe Messages feature to communicate with others in the KSL community.

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4. Not labeling boxes

No matter how well you plan, there comes a time when you start throwing unrelated items into boxes together. And once everything is packed up and taped shut, there’s no telling what went inside. Problem is, you’re unlikely to remember you put the toothbrushes in with the batteries.

To stay organized, pre-label boxes so only kitchen items go into kitchen ones. For the tidbits, give everyone helping a marker to write on the box what they put inside. Be sure to label the boxes on two sides — not the top — so you can easily read them without unstacking. Labeling not only helps you find things, it helps your movers (or friends) know where to put the boxes, saving you time later.

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5. Booking the wrong truck size

Correctly estimating the size of moving truck you’ll need will save you time — one load in, one load out — something you’ll value on moving day. Another benefit: When you don’t have to cram a truck to the gills, it’s easier to get boxes in and out. 

As a basic guideline to determine the size you’ll need, consider the number of bedrooms in your current home, the number of boxes you’ll be packing and the size of your furnishings. For example, if you’re moving from a studio apartment with an average number of belongings, a 10-foot truck should suffice. For a 3-bedroom home, you’ll likely need a 20-foot truck.

6. Forgetting HOA/apartment move-in rules

Among apartment moving tips, one of the most important may be learning what the building move-in rules are before you drive up with your stuff. Neighborhoods with an HOA or strict parking rules could turn your move into a major hassle if you’re not prepared. Check with management to verify allowed move-in days and any loading zone restrictions.

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Keep you move stress free with these Utah moving tips. It’s worth taking the time to plan ahead, especially during Utah’s peak moving season when resources could be limited.

KSL Homes is here to help you move. Find your new apartment or home among the thousands of listings. On KSL Classifieds, you can sell and buy items to help your move go even more smoothly. Book your extra moving help, from house cleaners to movers, on KSL Services.

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