Moving long distance is a huge undertaking that requires careful organization and forethought. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners make mistakes that complicate their move, or even unnecessarily increase move costs.
The following are five big mistakes to avoid to simplify your move and save money on moving expenses:
Not putting enough research into your new area
The more you familiarize yourself with your new home before your move, the better able you'll be to plan things out and navigate around your new town after your move. A few landmarks and amenities you'll want to know how to locate in particular include a grocery store, pharmacy, your workplace, and the location where your possessions are going to arrive if they're being shipped.
It's also always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the map of your new area and the major thoroughfares that run through your new town. This will help you to give accurate directions to moving companies and navigate yourself around your new area once you've arrived.
Failing to weed through your possessions and get rid of some things
The more items that you have transported to your new home as part of your move, the more your move is going to cost.
A long distance move can be a great opportunity to cut down on clutter and get rid of items that you've had for a while that you really don't need anymore. This will not only reduce the cost of your move, but can also make it easier to keep your new home clean and organized.
Being unaware of the fact that moving expenses may be tax deductible
If you itemize deductions on your tax return, you may be able to claim certain moving expenses. It's especially likely that you'll be able to claim moving expenses if you're moving long distance because of work. Do some research or talk with your tax preparer to determine if you can minimize your tax liability on your next return thanks to your moving expenses.
Having no moving insurance
No matter how much care is taken to protect valuable possessions, it's always possible that they will become damaged during a move. Purchasing moving insurance through your moving company can ensure that you will be compensated for any damage that occurs.
Not making sure fragile items are adequately cushioned
The farther fragile items are being transported or shipped, the more important adequate cushioning becomes. Discuss cushioning of fragile items with your moving service provider. Fragile items tend to be more valuable, so it's especially important to make sure that fragile items survive the trip to minimize the costs of your move.
