Dispelling 7 Common Moving Myths

Moving into a new home is one of life’s big events, always tinged with emotions running from excited to stressed. However, shrouding the process of moving are several myths that create anxiety and confusion. These moving myths will lead to costly mistakes, increased stress levels, and a less efficient relocation if believed. This article shall help you understand seven common moving myths that will help you navigate your relocation with clarity and confidence.

Myth 1: All Moving Companies Are the Same

Perhaps the funniest moving myth is that moving companies are all the same, so therefore, one need not be anxious over which moving company to hire. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Moving companies can differ in services offered, prices, dependability, and customer service. Some specialize in local moves while others focus on long-distance or international relocations. The quality of the service can also vary, from the simple transportation to companies with complementary services such as packing, storage, and insurance.

Truth: You need to study and hire a moving company that fits your needs. You want to look for a company with a good reputation, great customer service, and proper licensing and insurance. Don’t go for the cheapest; put your money into a reputable mover to save yourself stress and cash in the long run.

Myth 2: Moving Is Always Expensive

Another very common myth is that relocation is too expensive, and there is just no way one can cut down the expenses. While moving can be rather expensive, especially for long-distance or international relocations, there are a number of ways to cut down on expenses without compromising the quality of your move.

Truth: Save money by decluttering before your move and reducing the volume of goods you’ll need to transport. Then, pack yourself, use free or recycled packing supplies, and plan a mid-month move during the off-season when prices are generally softer. Get quotes from multiple moving companies to compare, and flexibility with moving dates will also give you better bargaining leverage.

Myth 3: You Can Pack Everything Last Minute

Packing is often taken very lightly, which leads to the belief that you can do it at the last minute. This is one of the most hazardous moving myths because you may come up with hurried and disorganized packing, damaged belongings, and increased stress on the moving day.

Truth: Packing is an overnight process, which has to be done well in advance. Packing of non-essential items should be done weeks prior to your move. Do it on an increasing basis until on the day of your move your packed essentials are ready. Clearly label boxes and an inventory list will show its handiness in keeping track. Early packing will also help you to protect your fragile things properly, allowing less chance for it to be damaged during the transit period.

Myth 4: It’s Cheaper to Move Yourself Than Hire Movers

The general belief of most people is that moving themselves will always be cheaper than hiring professional movers. While this could be the case with very small moves, that is not necessarily how it will play out with larger households or long-distance relocations. Renting a truck, buying packing supplies, and possible damage can be quite costly.

Truth: When you factor in the price of time, effort, and risks that are probably going to be involved in moving yourself, it might actually be cheaper to hire pros to do the job. The mover is professionally trained in how to safely pick up heavy items, awkward items, and fragile items and to lower them without causing injury or damage to the item or themselves. Plus, most reputable moving companies offer insurance to further protect your items.

Myth 5: All You Need Is a Moving Truck

All you need is a moving truck to make it happen. Though a truck is highly needed when moving, it is just but a piece of the whole puzzle. There are loads of other things involved in moving than just loading and unloading boxes.

Truth: A move requires a great deal of detailed planning, packing supplies, manpower, and sometimes additional services such as storage, or in handling fragile items. If you are relocating long-distance, you will probably need to make plans for how your vehicle will get to your new location, any temporary lodging, and for utilities to be turned on at your new home. A seamless move requires thorough planning, so don’t underrate all the logistics involved.

Myth 6: Weekends Are the Best Time to Move

It is generally assumed that moving over the weekend is better, as most people are usually on holiday from work. However, it may be easy, but moving over a weekend can turn out to be very expensive and rather stressful than it was initially assumed.

Truth: Moving companies charge more for weekend moves because the demand is higher. Moving on a weekend generally means dealing with heavier traffic, reduced availability, and delays. When possible, plan your move during the week or during the off-season-the fall and winter months-to get better pricing and greater availability of services. If you must move on a weekend, you can sometimes get a better deal by booking your move well in advance.

Myth 7: You Don’t Need Insurance If You Pack Carefully

A very dangerous moving myth is that moving insurance is unnecessary, provided one is able to pack well. While proper packing is paramount, accidents may happen on the road. Without insurance, if such an event happens, you will have to pay out of pocket for those items that get broken or lost.

Truth: No matter how cautious you are in packing and moving, the vagaries of a road accident, theft, or an act of God still get the better of you. Moving insurance covers your move against loss or damage. If anything goes wrong, this coverage provides financial protection. The majority of moving companies will have varying levels of insurance, so it is worth the money to invest in coverage that suits your needs. Understand what your policy will cover and consider adding extra insurance for high-value items.

Conclusion

Moving is no cakewalk; it comes with its share of difficulties and popular misconceptions. Shelve these common moving myths, so you are in a better position to handle your relocation. After all, each move is different. This, therefore, requires detailed planning and informed decisions and correct research. Most of the discussed top ten myths will keep you closer to a much less stressful and cost-effective, smooth transition to your new home.

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Your trusted moving support is only a few clicks away from your hand. Contact the Asian Tigers office near your origin or destination for your next move. You can also check our Frequently Asked Questions resource, AI-powered by Tiger Move Bot.