Moving is perhaps one of the most stressful things to do. Expecting to pack up all of one’s belongings into a few boxes and haul them from one place to another, only to open them up and set them again, can be exhausting. So it comes as no surprise that most people make mistakes during this time, some of which can turn out to be extremely costly or time-consuming.

Mistakes to avoid
Here are a few moving mistakes one can avoid:

1. Not researching the moving company
This is perhaps one of the most common mistakes people make when moving. Assuming that all moving companies offer the same level of service and professionalism can be a grave error and put all of one’s precious belongings at risk. To avoid this, one must do their due diligence to find the right moving company.

This involves asking for referrals, reading reviews, getting price estimates from several companies, and comparing them to see which one fares better. It can be made easier by referring to online directories that host detailed lists of professional and reputable moving companies so people can find the best match for the job.

2. Trying DIY everything
Th ere’s nothing better than the feeling of achieving certain tasks alone. A moving job, however, is not one of them. There’s a lot more to moving than meets the eye, making it very difficult to execute by oneself or with the help of a few friends.

Most moves require professional help. Although this can be expensive, the splurge is well worth it . One should start by planning the move to decide whether one needs this help. See how many things need to move to the next house, and calculate how long this will take. Take stock of the number of heavy items that need to be moved. A DIY-moving job may do the trick if it’s a small move. However, if there’s a truck full of heavy items, it might be better to call a professional moving company.

3. Forgetting to schedule enough time to pack
Packing takes a lot of time, especially when one wants to do it well. Not scheduling enough time to pack all of one’s belongings can result in stress and panic, which can be difficult to deal with.

This can be avoided by planning the move well. Don’t start packing too soon, but don’t wait until the last minute, either. For most people, packing a studio or one-bedroom apartment will take about two days, a two-bedroom apartment will take around three days, and a three-bedroom home will take around five days to a week. Pencil in some extra time to gently wrap and protect any delicate items.

4. Failing to declutter
There’s no better time to declutter than during a move. After all, what’s the point of packing, moving, and unpacking things one no longer needs? However, many people end up holding onto things they do not need anymore, which ends up wasting time and money.

The solution? Take some time to sort everything out into separate bins. Create four piles here: keep, donate, recycle, and toss. Get rid of things that haven’t been used in the past year or two. Organize a garage sale or simply donate the items to clear up space and prepare for a lighter move!

5. Not packing a moving essentials bag
The hassle of having to hunt for essentials (documents, wallets, phones, chargers, and the like) is rather well known. Always pack a moving essentials bag to make light of this struggle. This rucksack, duffel bag, or suitcase should contain all the items one cannot afford to lose and will be needed within the first couple of days of the move, such as cash, cards, paperwork, basic toiletries, some snacks, chargers, pet food, a change of clothes, etc. Every family member must have their essentials bag to make the moving experience as smooth as possible.

6. Overlooking the budget
It’s impossible to create a budget that includes every little expenditure throughout the move. However, one must create and work with a rough budget to ensure that they are not overspending during moving.

Do this by using a moving-cost calculator. These tools offer estimates based on the distance of the move and the number of things that need to be hauled. Factor in certain additional costs here as well, such as the cost of moving supplies, food deliveries, and a few days off of work.