Moving is often a tedious and frustrating procedure, as many objects must be packed away in boxes while taking care of daily commitments. It’s common knowledge that the details on Moving are not something most people look forward to-often due to all the hassle and time required for achieving desired results.
Are you looking for professional Movers in Toronto who will make your move easier? Look no further! Mr Relokate is a professional moving company that provides engaging and friendly residential and commercial moving services.
When things go wrong during a move, the stress level increases and you may feel overwhelmed. We have put together a comprehensive guide that lists common moving problems and gives tips on how to avoid them. Let’s look at them in this article!
21 Common Problems Faced During Moving & Their Solutions
When it comes to moving, most people are amateurs, as a person moves on average less than three times in their lifetime. As such, it is not surprising that most people are unaware of the know-how of moving. In order to help people get along with their moving and have a seamless move in the process we created a guide to common moving problems and their viable solutions.
The following list is a comprehensive assortment of the most commonly encountered moving problems. These are followed by suggestions on how to avoid these pitfalls and make your move as smooth or successful as possible.
1. New House Is Not Ready
Believe it or not, this is one of the worst moving problems that can happen to someone. Imagine your exhaustion after hours of packing and moving your belongings only to find out you have nowhere to live because your new place isn’t ready yet! Or worse still — not even cleared yet!! This would be so frustrating – as if all your hard work had been put into nothing at all and with no way back home either.
Solution: To avoid any potentially disastrous surprises, plan ahead and make sure your new house is ready when you need it. If there are renovations scheduled, make sure they are completed before your move-in date. Always make sure to keep informed about what work has been done on your new house to ensure everything goes smoothly on moving day!
If you find yourself homeless, do not fret. Make arrangements for a hotel or stay at your relatives house in the meantime. Alternatively, pack up and head back to your former home (if it’s available) where you can set camp until all is sorted out! Make sure to have a storage service as backup so that your belongings can be stored temporarily. It is always good to hire moving companies that offer both moving and storage services.
2. No Proper Planning
Planning is important for any moving process, but skiving on the details of organizing and scheduling can lead to a lot more headaches than you might expect. It’s easy to make excuses like ‘I don’t have enough time,’ or ‘I just don’t know how’ but with a bit of will power, these can easily be solved! If you don’t plan out the entire packing and moving process, expect to end up having a bad time.
Solution: A good way to stay organized is by making a timetable of the various tasks and moving dates. Mark down when you intend to be finished with packing all your stuff and mark down exactly when the movers will come for your move. Make a floor plan of your new home or office and mark down which room what furniture will go to. Make plans in case emergencies happen,and keep backup accommodation. Once again, hire a moving company that provides both moving and storage services.
Plan your finances — you’ll want enough money on hand for moving services and administrative paperwork, as well as any last-minute expenses you might have before packing up and heading out. Create checklists, reminders and notes so you know what steps need completing when it comes time – don’t stress about trying to complete all this at once either; allocate a few minutes in your day to complete one task, then come back to it again after a break.
3. Getting Scammed
Moving Scams are among the deadliest moving problems one can face. The most common moving scams involve demanding a deposit before even looking to see if your house is suitable for transport, not checking out what you have beforehand or assuming liability for damages done during transit. You may also be charged exorbitant fees that could’ve been avoided with some research into movers ahead of time!
Even worse, some moving scammers may make off with some of your valuables if you’re not watching! The worst case scenario involves you being cheated of a large sum of money, and having lost all your belongings, with nobody to turn to for help.
Solution: Find a good, reliable moving company with an excellent reputation and favourable reviews. Don’t just hire 2 men and a truck. Make sure that the movers provide both moving and storage services to make it easier for you. Ensure the movers inspect all items before estimating weights properly so there are no surprise costs later on in the process. Money should not be exchanged until after delivery of your belongings!
Obtain proper insurance for possible damages and ensure that you read the fine print. Most professional movers in Ottawa provide a disclaimer for liability and costs incurred. If the company you hire does not, press them for one or ask for a certificate. If not, look for a better moving company.
4. Accidents And Injuries
Safety should be the number one priority of every moving operation, but accidents do happen. Smashing your head against a ceiling, stubbing your toe on an object in the way or catching too much weight and tripping over something are all common physical injuries during any type of move — even when experienced movers operate professionally.
Solution: To prevent mishaps, exercise caution and ensure that the appropriate safety measures are taken before moving heavy equipment. If possible, pad floors with carpets to soften blows of furniture coming into contact with them. Make sure movers know their surroundings so they can avoid accidents from happening. Keep your accident rate to a minimum by practicing good workplace safety and trust in the professionals to do the job.
5. Missing Items
One of the common moving problems when you move is losing valuables and personal items. This can happen for a number of reasons, including unprofessional movers who lack organisation or even the intention to steal from their customers. Losing your belongings is not a pleasant experience at all, especially if they are important. This is why it is important to keep track of where you place your items when packing.
Solution: Be sure that you hire trustworthy movers, as they will properly safeguard your belongings. Make sure that boxes are clearly labeled so it’s easy for everyone involved in moving everything into place to identify where each item goes without any mix-ups or theft occurring during this time of transition. Sometimes cleaners may mistake your boxes for trash and throw them away if not watched carefully – always keep an eye out! In the event that you lose any items, you can file a complaint or use your insurance claim to get compensation.
6. Damaged Belongings
Damaged items are probably one of the most common sights in a new house. Some movers may be rough or clumsy and do not take enough care to ensure your furniture is still usable after moving. Sometimes, an item will break while it’s on its way to your destination. Other times, when someone may mistakenly drop our belongings or slip on water and break your delicate glasswork.
Solution: To keep your belongings safe during a move, wrap them in bubble wrap and place them inside sturdy boxes. For large furniture items such as pianos or paintings, make sure that the edges are covered and heavy objects aren’t placed above fragile ones on transport vehicles like trucks or vans. If you have some really delicate things to bring with you (such as porcelain dishes), get movers to be extra careful so they don’t break any of these expensive pieces when transporting them!
Mishaps can happen during packing as well, as such its best to have your movers pack your belongings. Movers, especially professional movers in Toronto provide insurance for the things they pack, as such if your items go missing, then the liability is on the movers to compensate you.
7. Lack Of Packing Material
This problem arises when you underestimate the amount of stuff that you are moving over to your new house, and can manifest in the form of not having enough boxes or wrap to properly pack your items with.
Solution: Listen carefully to the moving company estimates and pack accordingly. Plan out your box organisation well and sort items by category and size. To be on the safe side, purchase excess bubble wraps and boxes than you need, as those items are foldable and can be stored away easily.
Another option is to have the moving company pack for you. Because the moving company is responsible for packing, they will procure the packing supplies, which means you don’t have to bother with getting packing supplies. It may seem expensive upfront to have movers pack your belongings, but if you consider how much damage one may cause to their items by improper packing, finding out the cost of having movers pack is cheaper. Furthermore, movers, especially professional movers in Ottawa, insure the items they pack, and should they lose your belongings, then your movers are liable to compensate you.
8. Time Constraints
If you’re in a hurry to pack your belongings and have little time for the other steps, then chances are good that you may not have enough time to complete the transportation process. This is usually due to hastiness or lack of concentration which could manifest in any of the other points mentioned in this article.
Solution: Plan ahead of time, and schedule your tasks before the moving date. Pack incrementally to avoid rushing. It is not necessary to pack all of your belongings in one day; you can pack things you don’t use daily and pack them by category. It will make packing more straightforward and reduce the workload. Additionally, packing the necessary items first will allow most of the stuff to be moved if not enough time is available, and any loose ends can be resolved with ease rather than becoming a disaster.
9. Weather Plays Havoc with Moving
Although you can plan every last detail, you can make a huge mistake if you fail to consider the weather. You must be prepared for sudden shifts in the weather and keep your belongings safe when the weather changes unexpectedly.
Snowfall can cause trucks to get stuck if the driver are not prepared to deal with it which can lead to more problems such as traffic congestion. During such unexpected situations, there will most likely be a delay in the moving, which can cause issues.
Solution: Always check the weather before confirming a moving date. Check in with Canada Public Weather Alerts before your moving date. You should also take into account the weather at your destination when making long-distance moves. Whether the weather is bad or good, the truck and driver should be prepared to handle any problems.
It might be a good idea to keep shovels and chains with the drivers or to store the truck until the snowfall stops.
10. Special Packaging Requirements
Special packaging may be required for unusual items, like chandeliers, musical instruments, flat screen TVs, and computers. If you neglect to keep these items secure with the right tools and packaging, you might be in for a tough time when you find out that they are either damaged, lost or both.
Solution: Understand the requirements for your special items and act accordingly. If needed, you may have to disassemble some items to be able to transport them effectively, so it is best to start packing these items early. Give your movers a highly detailed checklist and inventory so that they understand that these items need special care – otherwise, they might break while in the truck/van, which is less than ideal.
11. Restricted Access To Elevator Or Elevator Not Working
A situation such as this is rather frustrating because we cannot plan for it. Attempts to move heavy objects into an apartment on a high floor become nearly impossible when the lift isn’t working. You can handle this scenario in the following way.
Solution: If the main elevator is not working, look for other options of accessing your house, such as service lifts. Talk to the management if no such avenue exists and find a way to restore access to the elevator. It is a good idea to schedule the movers so that they are able to finish the job in time if the complex has a time limit for the movers to stay. In the event that the elevator breaks down and cannot be repaired quickly, you may need to store your belongings elsewhere, an external storage space for the time being, or attempt to move items up the stairs, although that option is rather risky for the movers.
12. Not Having External Storage Service
If you do not have a spare storage locker or external warehouse to store equipment, then you are taking a huge risk because there are potential problems that may arise when moving, as has been discussed in many other sections of this article. In addition, the use of storage lockers doesn’t necessarily need to serve as a backup. They can come in handy when moving over a longer time frame as a good way to keep the moving process smooth and efficient.
Solution: Hire a moving company which offers both moving and storage services. Professional Movers in Ottawa generally provide both of these services.
13. Truck Breakdown
The next problem on this list is also one that cannot be accurately predicted. You, as well as the movers, will have a tough time if it happens. There is nothing worse than your belongings being stuck in the middle of the road. While truck breakdowns are less common than some of the other issues, we want to make sure we cover all bases, so here’s what you can do in the event the moving truck breaks down.
Solution: In order to prevent this situation from occurring, find a moving company that performs regular maintenance on its trucks beforehand and not just 2 men and a truck. In case of a breakdown midway through the moving process, call your moving company to request reinforcements or a new moving truck. A complaint could be filed afterward to gain some reimbursement for this situation.
14. Round-Trips
A common challenge that new movers face is making multiple trips back and forth between homes. In general, it may be due to things like forgetting things in your old house or not properly explaining to the movers what you intend to move, or the movers might be inexperienced as a result of which they might forget to move your stuff from your old house. In addition to the time involved, you might have to pay the moving company more for the fuel and manpower they require (if the mistake is made on your end).
Solution: To avoid this problem, you should look for a moving company that gives a good quote and has a large vehicle that can haul your furniture and household items. Make sure that you package your items securely and in a compact manner to preserve space. Inventorize and label all the boxes you will be bringing with you to your new home. In certain cases, it’s possible to manually bring over the small items yourself, which will allow the van to accommodate larger, heaver items. Be careful not to overpack!
15. Overpacking
Overpacking, as, is one of the greatest mistakes that a novice can commit. It is important not to overextend yourself. Overpacking increases the price of the moving service, as the amount of space required and the weight of the items increase. In addition, you will have to spend much more time packing and unpacking the items.
Solution: You should only pack items that are truly necessary for your move. Old and useless items that are not that important should be thrown away and not brought with you to the new house. You could even donate items such as clothing and other trinkets to a charity organisation such as the Salvation Army! Prepare for the move in advance by getting rid of unwanted items a few weeks or even months beforehand.
16. Essentials
Not having your daily essentials with you during the days where your items are all securely packed inside boxes is very problematic. Items in this category include things such as extra clothes, toothbrushes, toilet paper, medicine, soap and more. It is annoying to have to rummage through boxes just to find a daily essential.
Solution: Pack your daily items in a separate bag that you carry with you at all times. This way, it is easily accessible and safe from harm.
17. Not Informing Others Of Change In Address
The easiest error on this list to avoid is not informing those you’ve moved. This can cause confusion for visitors, family members and strangers alike, since people are often surprised to discover that they have been to the wrong house since the first occupant left without telling other people.
Solutions: You should change your address on official documents before moving so the people will know your new house address. Let your friends and family know so they can avoid embarrassing encounters with the new tenants. Make sure you inform your employer, doctor, insurer, bank and other service providers as well, to avoid any mix-ups.
18. Paperwork And Administrative Issues
If you run into any problems related to home ownership, a complaint, or other administrative issues, they can be frustrating to deal with, especially in the midst of all the chaos that comes with moving. The following solutions can help you avoid these situations.
Solution(s): Ensure all paperwork is handled in advance. These include unpaid utility bills, invoices, and administration related to moving to a new house. The move can be completed successfully if any issues occur afterward by working with a lawyer or a professional accountant who is trained to deal with such issues.
19. Theft
One of the worst moving problems you can go through is to have your things taken from you. It is possible that thieves will search through your valuables during the moving process in order to capture something worth selling. Most often, this occurs when your boxes are being moved into the new house and left unattended.
Solution(s): As pointed out in point 5, never leave your possessions unattended and open to attack. At least one person should watch and protect the items while the movers are working. If you believe that one of the moving companies themselves may have stolen your belongings, file a complaint or contact the police for assistance. It is possible to get reimbursed or compensated. You should hire a reliable and trustworthy moving company to avoid such a scenario (however unlikely it may be) and not just 2 men and a truck you find online for cheap. Moving is something you should never take lightly.
20. Objects Cannot Fit Into The House
A poor plan may result in certain objects simply refusing to fit in the house. Doorways, windows, and openings simply cannot accommodate this mighty piece of furniture, as it is simply too large for a house. Some of the most common culprits are clocks with pendulums, pianos, massive dining tables, and tall shelves. It is also pretty annoying for the movers, who sometimes have to use awkward angles and dangerous maneuvers in order to solve the problem.
Solution: Take measurements of the largest furniture and objects in your current home and draw a floor plan of the house. Measure the new home as well. You should make sure that all of your entryways, windows, and openings are large enough to accommodate these massive items. If you cannot fit bulky items, leave time for them to be sold or disposed of. Alternatively, if you are desperate, you can dismantle the object and reassemble it again later, or you can pay extra for a rigging system if your movers have the technology.
21. Unreliable Moving Company
Oftentimes moving companies are sloppy and late, have a stinking attitude, or just don’t do a good job. There are times when the fault is on your end for not obtaining reviews of the moving company and thoroughly researching the market. Even worse, there are times when the movers fail to arrive at all, citing excuses. You may have fallen for an unscrupulous moving scam if a moving company does not return your calls. Information about scams can be found in Point #3.
Solution: Make sure you do your research before choosing a moving company. Don’t just choose 2 men and a truck to do your moving no matter how cheap they may be, be sure to do a thorough research and check their website, reviews, and customers’ experiences before enlisting their services.
Checking with the Canadian Association of Movers is one of the easiest ways to find out if a moving company is reliable. Moving companies in Canada are represented by the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM). CAM certifies moving companies that have passed a background check and agreed to adhere to a Code of Ethics.
Check the Better Business Bureau‘s history of the company as well. You should be on the lookout for unresolved complaints, especially if they are recent.
Aside from that, you should read as much as possible about moving companies on sites like Yelp, MyMovingReviews and HomeStars. It will be easier for you to choose what’s right for you if you narrow down your options based on these sites’ criteria!
Using these 21 tips, you can avoid making common moving mistakes. By making the right decisions before moving, your move will go as smoothly as possible. There’s no way to plan for every scenario, but having a comprehensive moving plan will make the process much simpler.
How to Look For Professional Moving Companies
Internet searches are the easiest way to find a moving company. When searching for moving companies in your local area, you can type in specific words. For example, if you live in Ottawa, you may type in “moving companies near me” “ottawa pro movers” or “best movers in Ottawa”. All of these search strings will show you movers in your area.
However, you should be careful before hiring a moving company from your search results. It is very important to conduct proper research on the moving companies you will be working with, their past reviews, their rates, etc.
Other ways to find a moving company include:
- Asking Family & Friends
- Looking on Social Media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc)
- Checking Review websites like Yelp, HomeStars, Better Business Bureau
Regardless of how you learn about a moving company, the general idea is the same – only thorough investigation can provide you with the moving company that is best suited to your needs.
A Few Final Thoughts
The process of moving can be difficult, especially if you are moving to a completely new city and have no clue what to expect. Initially, it is difficult but as you become more comfortable with the situation, you can cope better. But, it is always better to have an idea of what hardships you might face there, so you can better deal with them.
Throughout today’s article, we have reviewed 21 possible difficulties that you may encounter while moving to a new location and the solutions to each. Knowing about these common challenges and their solutions will help you prepare and deal with them much more effectively.
Our best wishes go out to you as you relocate and adjust to your new surroundings. Booking with Mr Relokate today means getting the job done by the best movers in Toronto – guaranteed to be quick, safe and hassle-free!
