If you're planning to move to a new home this summer, make sure everything goes smoothly by avoiding some common pitfalls. Summertime can be a convenient time of the year to move because you don't have to worry about inclement weather. If you have kids, you won't have to worry about missing days at school. Make sure your move is as stress-free as possible by avoiding these five common summer moving mistakes.
No. 1: Getting delayed by traffic. Even though the kids are out of school and you won't have to battle school-related rush hours, you might still end up having to deal with the 9-to-5 traffic -- especially on a Friday afternoon. Make sure there aren't any major events happening in your new town or city on the day of your move so you can avoid congestion. Plan your move right after the morning rush so you can avoid the bulk of traffic near your current house and around the new neighborhood.
No. 2: Forgetting temperature-sensitive items. You'll need to pack items like wine bottles, refrigerated and frozen food items, plants, and lightweight computer equipment very carefully and make sure these items won't be left in a hot car or truck for more than a few hours. Plan ahead so you can load and unload these items first to avoid warping, melting, and other unnecessary damage.
No. 3: Ignoring your diet. You need energy to take care of all aspects of moving and probably won't have time to sit down and eat a good meal. Make sure you eat a solid, energy-boosting breakfast of complex carbohydrates and protein. Carry a bottle of water with you all day so you can stay hydrated and focused in that summer heat. Make sure everyone else in the family also has something to drink and take breaks for snacks or meals when the moving process takes more than three hours. You don't want to worry about dehydration or fatigue as the day progresses.
No. 4: Hiring a mover at the last minute. Remember that summertime is one of the busiest seasons for moving companies so you might not be able to find a reputable mover offering good rates at the last minute. At best, you'll have to settle for any available mover and probably won't have the time to compare estimates and determine whether the mover has a good reputation. Plan ahead so you can compare several different options and choose the date that suits you best. Don't forget to ask about any moving specials or promotions as you get an estimate from different companies.
