Moving day is exciting, but even a local move comes with a lot of stress. First-time movers tend to make mistakes that force them to stop packing, search for more supplies or start over. Avoiding these mistakes ensures a fast, easy process that gives you more time to enjoy your new home.

1. Forgetting to Declutter

If you forget to declutter, you’ll spend extra time and money packaging items that you don’t want. When you reach your new home, those items will stay in their boxes or take up too much space.

Before you move, sort through your belongings, and set aside anything that you don’t need. Then donate it, or host a yard sale. This frees up space and ensures that you only pack what you want to keep.

2. Packing Too Late or Too Early

When you wait too long to pack, you’ll have to scramble to leave before the new homeowners arrive. Some homeowners carelessly throw valuables in boxes, leave essentials behind or even damage their existing property.

Packing too early is just as dangerous. If you pack your belongings two weeks before moving day, you’re stuck with an empty house. Talk to professional movers about finding the right date to start packing.

3. Running Out of Supplies

Another risk of packing too late is running out of supplies. Without enough boxes, you’ll have to stop packing until you can buy more at the store or get boxes from friends and relatives. It’s never to early to start saving boxes, so keep them on hand when you know that you’re going to relocate.

4. Packing Valuables Carelessly

Professional movers handle your boxes as carefully as possible, but mishaps happen. If you place your valuables in a box without protective wrappings, they could break in transit, and you won’t know until you reach your new residence. Foam, tape, packing peanuts, wadded paper and other supplies keep your valuables safe.

5. Waiting Too Long to Hire Movers

Local movers have busy schedules. Waiting too long to call makes it harder for them to squeeze you into the day you want, forcing you to postpone your moving date. Contact movers as soon as possible to find a date that works for everyone.

6. Packing Up Essentials

Some homeowners pack everything, including clothes, food, toiletries, medication and first-aid supplies, then realize they have nothing for the trip — not even a change of clothes. Estimate how long moving will take, then create an essentials bag with clothes, medicine, snacks and toiletries. This will keep you on schedule with no interruptions.

Planning wisely helps you settle into your new home without unexpected mishaps. When you’re ready to move, contact our team at Alpha Moving to hire five-star local movers in Louisville, KY.