15 Common Moving Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Do It Right)

I get it. The idea of sorting through every single thing you own is about as appealing as a root canal. But trust me on this: moving junk you don’t need is a waste of energy, space, and money. Think about it – you’re paying to pack, transport, and then unpack items that will just end up in the back of a closet in your new home.

Before you even think about grabbing a box, go through your stuff. A good rule of thumb is the one-year rule: if you haven’t used it in a year, do you really need it? Be ruthless. That bread maker you got as a wedding gift and never used? Donate it. Let them go. Once you’ve decided what to keep, you can focus on the best ways to pack your clothes for the move.

A friend of mine once paid to move three boxes of old college textbooks. Three! He hasn’t opened them in a decade. Don’t be that friend. For more ideas on what to let go of, check out our guide on items movers won’t move.

Procrastination is the thief of a peaceful move. I’ve seen folks try to pack up a three-bedroom house in a single weekend, and it’s never pretty. It leads to sloppy packing, forgotten items, and a level of stress that could power a small city.

Start early. Like, way earlier than you think you need to. Begin with rooms and items you use least, like guest rooms, seasonal decor, or books. Packing a little each day makes the whole process feel less like a mountain and more like a series of small hills. If you need some help getting organized, our ultimate guide on how to pack for a move can be a lifesaver.

Picture this: you’ve finally arrived at your new place, you’re exhausted, and all you want is a cup of coffee. But where’s the coffee maker? And the mugs? And the coffee itself? They could be in any of the 20 boxes marked “Kitchen.”

Vague labeling is a recipe for unpacking chaos. Be specific! Instead of just “Kitchen,” write “Kitchen: Coffee maker, mugs, filters.” Note the room it belongs in and a brief summary of the contents. I also like to add “FRAGILE” in big, bold letters for anything delicate. It’s a simple step that will make your future self so, so happy. For a foolproof system, learn how to label moving boxes the right way.

This is a classic. We all think we’re minimalists until it’s time to move. It’s easy to forget about the contents of the garage, the attic, the back of the linen closet… it all adds up. Underestimating your inventory means you’ll run out of boxes, packing supplies, and maybe even room on the moving truck. It’s one of the most common moving mistakes to avoid.

Do a thorough walk-through of your entire home, including storage areas, before you even start. This will give you a much more realistic idea of what you’re working with and help you get an accurate quote from movers.

Ah, the infamous sofa-pivot situation. We’ve all seen that episode of Friends, right? This happened to me during my move to Charlotte. I had this gorgeous, oversized armchair I adored. I didn’t bother to measure it or the doorway of my new apartment. Guess what? It didn’t fit. I had to sell it on the spot for a fraction of what I paid. It was a painful lesson.

Measure your large furniture pieces and the doorways, hallways, and stairwells of your new home. It takes five minutes and can save you from a major headache (and heartache).

Not all moving companies are created equal. Far from it. Choosing the first or cheapest option you find without doing your homework is a huge gamble. You could end up with a “mover” who holds your belongings hostage for more money, damages your things, or simply doesn’t show up.

Do your due diligence. Get quotes from at least three different reputable companies. Check their licenses, read online reviews, and ask for references. A professional company will be transparent about their pricing and insurance coverage. Here at National Movers, we have a whole directory of vetted companies to help you choose the best one for your needs.

I know it’s tempting to cram as much as possible into one box to save space, but please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t. Overly heavy boxes are a major cause of injuries and damaged goods. Your back will not thank you, and there’s a good chance the bottom of the box will give out at the worst possible moment.

Pack heavy items like books and tools in small boxes. Lighter items like linens and pillows can go in larger boxes. As a general rule, no box should weigh more than 50 pounds. Lift it. If it feels too heavy for you, it’s too heavy.

Moving day is chaotic. The last thing you’ll want to do after a long day of hauling boxes is to dig through a dozen of them looking for your toothbrush, phone charger, or a clean change of clothes.

Pack an “open first” box or a suitcase with everything you’ll need for the first 24-48 hours in your new home. This should include toiletries, medications, a change of clothes, important documents, chargers, basic tools, and maybe even some snacks and toilet paper. Trust me, this little bag of essentials will feel like a gift from your past self.

If you’re moving into or out of an apartment building or a neighborhood with an HOA, there are likely rules you need to follow. Some buildings have specific hours for moving, require you to reserve an elevator, or have designated parking areas for moving trucks.

Check with your building management or HOA well in advance. Ignoring these rules can lead to fines or delays on moving day. You don’t want to start off on the wrong foot with your new neighbors!

In this digital age, some of our most valuable possessions are on our computers. Imagine losing years of family photos, important documents, or work files because your computer gets damaged during the move. It’s a nightmare scenario.

Before you pack up your electronics, back up everything to the cloud or an external hard drive. Better yet, do both. Keep the external hard drive with you in your essentials bag, not on the moving truck.

Walking into your new home to find the lights don’t turn on and there’s no running water is a rough start. It’s an easily avoidable moving mistake, but one that people forget in the chaos of packing.

Contact your new utility providers (electricity, gas, water, internet) a few weeks before your move to schedule service to start on or just before your move-in day. Don’t forget to schedule the disconnection at your old place, too. Our change of mailing address checklist can help you keep track of everyone you need to notify.

This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often it gets overlooked. Forgetting to update your address means important mail – like bills, bank statements, or even your driver’s license – could get lost.

File a change of address with the USPS a couple of weeks before your move. Also, remember to update your address directly with your bank, credit card companies, subscription services, and your employer.

This goes hand-in-hand with making boxes too heavy, but it’s more about the integrity of the container. When you overstuff a box, the sides can bulge and the top won’t close flat, making it unstable for stacking. This increases the risk of boxes toppling over and your belongings getting crushed.

Fill boxes to the top, but don’t overfill them. Use packing paper or bubble wrap to fill any empty spaces to prevent items from shifting around.

Accidents happen, even with the most careful movers. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance might offer some coverage, but it’s often limited. Moving companies are required to provide basic liability coverage, but it’s usually minimal (around 60 cents per pound per item). That won’t come close to covering the cost of your expensive flat-screen TV if it gets broken.

Talk to your moving company about their full-value protection options. It will cost a bit more, but the peace of mind is priceless. Don’t risk moving your life’s possessions without adequate protection.

I admire the can-do spirit, I really do. But trying to handle a large move entirely on your own to save a few bucks can often backfire. It’s physically demanding, incredibly stressful, and you’re solely responsible if anything gets damaged.

Consider your options. Even if you’re doing a DIY move, you might want to hire labor to help with the heavy lifting. If you’re moving long-distance, professionals are almost always the better choice. They have the experience and equipment to do the job safely and efficiently. If you’re on a tight budget, our article on how to move with no money has some creative solutions.