Planning a big move? To ensure everything goes smoothly, avoid making these five common mistakes:

  1. Hiring the wrong movers. Make sure to do business with a reputable moving company. Prefer movers who are transparent about what they do and how they do their job, and who provide their full contact and address details.

  2. Bringing everything. Moving is the perfect opportunity to sort through your belongings and get rid of anything unnecessary. You’ll save so much time if you don’t have to pack and unpack a bunch of things you no longer use.

  3. Using big boxes. This might seem like a good idea, but don’t forget that a big box filled with pots or books will be heavy and hard to carry – a good way to get hurt on moving day.

  4. Forgoing the survival kit. You most likely won’t have time to unpack everything the day you move into your new place, so assemble a box of handy items you’ll want to keep within reach (scissors, screwdriver, notepad, toilet paper, cleaning products, bedsheets, etc.).

  5. Being lazy with labels. To avoid having to haul boxes from one room to another and back again (or opening 22 of them before finding what you need), clearly (and accurately!) label each box according to its contents and the room it’s destined for.