Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Moving Without Professional Movers and How to Avoid Them
| Did you know: The top moving mistake Americans make is last-minute packing, with 45% admitting to this stressful habit. |
Common Moving Mistakes To Avoid When Moving Without Professional Movers
If you are planning a residential or commercial move on your own, there are five mistakes that can lead to delays, stress, or even damaged belongings. Knowing what to avoid ahead of time can save you time, money, and frustration on moving day. Below are five common moving mistakes to avoid for a successful move:
1. Underestimating the Time It Takes to Pack and Load
Many people assume that the packing process will only take a day or two, but even a small apartment can require 20–30 hours to pack properly. Without a plan, tasks like wrapping fragile and valuable items, disassembling furniture, and labeling boxes often take much longer than expected.
This miscalculation leads to missed deadlines, delayed truck returns, and poorly packed boxes that increase the risk of damage during transport.
The real issue is the absence of a room-by-room checklist and time-blocked schedule, which causes movers to jump between tasks inefficiently.
Another overlooked factor is underestimating the actual cost of time overruns. Extra truck rental hours, last-minute packing supplies, and unexpected labor can quickly add up.
To avoid surprises, budget at least 20-30% more than your initial moving estimate to cover these hidden expenses.
How to Avoid It:
- Begin packing 2–3 weeks in advance of the upcoming move, depending on home size. Getting your friends and family involved in the process for heavy lifting can save a lot of time.
- Follow a structured checklist by room and category.
- Reserve a full day for loading only, especially if you are renting a truck.
| Did you know? Moving is ranked as one of the most stressful life events, even more stressful than planning a wedding or having a child, with 34% of people citing it as a major stressor. |
2. Using the Wrong Packing Materials
Using mismatched, weak, or reused boxes is one of the fastest ways to damage your belongings during a move. Grocery moving boxes often lack the strength to support heavy or fragile items, and they may collapse when stacked.
Inadequate protection, such as wrapping glassware in newspaper or skipping cushioning altogether, leaves breakables vulnerable to cracks and chips.
In addition, overloading large boxes with books or tools can cause them to tear from the bottom or become too heavy to lift safely. Without proper materials, labeling, and load balancing, DIY movers often face unnecessary moving costs and wasted time.
How to Avoid It:
- Use double-walled, uniform-sized boxes that have more durability than a simple cardboard box and packing paper rated for moving.
- For fragile or heavy items, always reinforce your boxes with double tape and apply two layers of strong packing tape along the bottom seam and sides.
- Wrap breakables with bubble wrap, not newspaper.
- Label things on every box with room, content type, and handling instructions on all sides.
3. Not Measuring Furniture and Entryways
Large furniture that doesn’t fit through doors, staircases, or elevators creates major problems on moving day. Many DIY movers skip the step of measuring furniture dimensions and clearances, only to discover too late that a couch won’t turn a hallway corner or a bedframe can’t make it up the stairs.
This often leads to scratched walls, damaged floors, or time-consuming disassembly that could have been done in advance. Oversized furniture becomes a liability when there’s no backup help or tools available to maneuver it safely.
How to Avoid It:
- Measure all large furniture and entry points at both locations (current and new).
- Disassemble bulky items in advance, not after you’re stuck.
- Have tools and furniture pads ready on move day to prevent damage.
4. Choosing the Wrong Truck Size or Overloading It
Renting a truck that’s too small can turn one move into multiple trips, while overloading a truck is a common moving mistake that causes dangerous weight imbalance and potential cargo damage.
Many self-movers rely on guesswork instead of using a moving truck size calculator, leading to poor space planning and unsafe packing.
An overloaded truck makes it harder to secure items, increasing the risk of tipping, shifting, or crushing during transit.
Improper weight distribution also impacts vehicle handling and braking, especially for those with little experience driving large trucks.
How to Avoid It:
- Use a truck size guide based on the square footage of your home.
- Distribute heavy items evenly across the floor of the truck.
- Use ratchet straps and padding to secure everything tightly before driving.
5. Forgetting Day-of Essentials and Emergency Planning
One of the most overlooked aspects of a DIY move is forgetting to pack a box with first-day essentials, like toiletries, chargers, medications, and snacks. Without it, you will be digging through sealed boxes just to find your toothbrush or phone charger.
Equally problematic is not planning for weather disruptions, injuries, or unexpected delays. If the forecast changes or you pull a muscle during lifting, having no backup plan can halt the entire move.
How to Avoid It:
- Pack a clearly labeled essentials box for the first 24 hours in your new home.
- Monitor the weather forecast 2–3 days before the move.
- Keep a first aid kit, water, and basic tools accessible in your vehicle.
| Interesting Information: Out of these common mistakes defined, the most frequent moving challenges include furniture not fitting into the vehicle (37%), handling the entire move solo (36%), insufficient budgeting for moving expenses (35%), and delays in the delivery of new furniture (34%). |
Pro Tips to Avoid Last-Minute Moving Stress
1. Use a Color-Coded System To Label Moving Boxes
2. Take Photos of Electronic Setups Before Disconnecting
3. Load Heavy Items First
4. Rent a Dolly or Furniture Pads
Planning an Office Move? Here is What You Should Do on Moving Day
1. Assign Team Leads for Each Department
2. Label Equipment by Workstation
3. Back Up Business-Critical Data
4. Transport Confidential Materials Separately
Is Using a Professional Service for Your Move Really Worth It?
| For your information: First-time movers face additional challenges. 51% of them don’t know where to begin, and 32% don’t know how to pack properly. |
Moving takes more than just muscle; it requires experience, planning, and attention to detail. With A Great Moving Crew, you hire professionals who work efficiently and handle your belongings with care.
Our team is licensed, insured, and bonded, giving you peace of mind throughout the process. Plus, we pride ourselves on punctuality and guaranteed satisfaction with every move.
At just $55 per hour per mover (2-hour minimum), you get premium service backed by nearly all 5-star reviews on Google and Yelp. Contact us today and see how hassle-free moving can be.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If your new address is not ready when you arrive, consider renting short-term storage or arranging for temporary housing.
Many moving companies offer secure, climate-controlled storage options to hold your belongings safely until you are able to move in. It is advisable to discuss this possibility with your mover in advance to ensure a smooth transition.
To safeguard confidential documents during a move, it’s best to transport them personally. If you must entrust them to movers, ensure they are securely packed and clearly labeled.
In addition, visit your local post office before moving to set up mail forwarding. This ensures that sensitive mail, like bank statements, insurance policies, or tax documents, doesn’t end up at your old address.
Some moving companies offer specialized services for handling sensitive items, including locked containers and background-checked personnel. Always inquire about these options when selecting a moving company.
Yes, most moving companies have restrictions on certain items due to safety regulations. Commonly prohibited items include:
- Flammable materials (e.g., gasoline, paint)
- Aerosols and explosives
- Perishable food
- Hazardous chemicals
It’s crucial to check with your moving company about their specific policies and to make alternative arrangements for these items.
Selecting the right moving company involves several considerations:
- Services offered: Ensure they provide the services you require, such as packing, storage, or specialty item handling.
- Licensing and insurance: Verify that the company is licensed and insured to protect your belongings.
- Reputation: Read reviews available online, and ask for references to gauge their reliability and customer satisfaction.
At A Great Moving Crew, we pride ourselves on offering comprehensive moving services backed by over fifteen years of experience, excellent customer reviews, and full licensing and insurance.
