Top 10 Moving Mistakes People Make (and How to Avoid Them)

“Moving isn’t that bad. It’s just boxes and tape.”

That was me, the night before my very first move. Cocky. Confident. Blissfully unaware that I was about to spend the next three weeks living out of a suitcase because—yep—you guessed it—I made almost every single one of the classic Moving Mistakes.

And trust me, nothing humbles you faster than sitting on the floor of your new apartment, surrounded by 23 unlabeled boxes, desperately Googling “where do people usually pack phone chargers?” Spoiler: mine was in with the kitchen towels.

Here’s the deal: moving ranks right up there with divorce and job loss on the “most stressful life events” chart. Seriously. Researchers say nearly 45% of people find moving more stressful than a breakup. And yet, we all keep doing it. Over and over. Sometimes badly.

So, if you’re about to pack up your life, take this as a survival guide. These are the top 10 Moving Mistakes I’ve seen (and personally made) in my career, in my Sounds Good Moving business stories, and in my own chaotic relocations. Learn from me before you become me.

Mistake #1 – The Last-Minute Packing Panic That Wrecks Everything

You think you’ve got time. Then suddenly it’s 11 p.m., moving day is tomorrow, and you’re bubble-wrapping wine glasses with grocery bags. Been there.

Last-minute packing is one of the biggest Moving Mistakes because it guarantees stress, broken stuff, and that horrifying moment when you realize the movers are charging extra because you’re not ready.

Pro Tip: Start early. Like, obnoxiously early.

• 4 weeks out: Seasonal clothes, books, decorations.
• 2 weeks out: Non-essentials, duplicate kitchen stuff.
• Final 3 days: Daily-use items.

Timeline at a Glance

Mistake #2 – Forgetting to Label Boxes: AKA The Toothbrush Tragedy

Unlabeled boxes are basically mystery boxes. Except instead of winning a surprise prize, you get socks in with spaghetti strainers.

One client once told me she found her car keys in a box labeled “guest bedroom linens.” I wish I was kidding.

The Fix: Go full-on nerd mode:

• Color-code labels by room.
• Number boxes and keep a list (Box #7 = “pots, pans, and one random sock”).
• Use big, bold markers.

Think of it like warehouse logistics. Would Amazon survive if every box just said “stuff”? Exactly.

Mistake #3 – DIY Moving: When “Saving Money” Costs You Your Back

I love a good DIY project. Painting a table? Sure. Building shelves? Absolutely. Hauling a 300-pound sofa down three flights of stairs with two friends and a rented van? Never again.

Here’s the truth: DIY looks cheap until you factor in gas, rental fees, time, your sore back, and the cost of replacing your friend’s broken coffee table. Classic Moving Mistakes right there.

Comparison: DIY vs Professional Movers

Sometimes the cheapest way ends up being the most expensive.

Mistake #4 – Ignoring the Weather Forecast: Nature Always Wins

Oh, you thought the rain would “hold off”? Cute.

I once moved during a thunderstorm. Half my boxes got soggy, my sneakers still smelled like a swamp a week later, and my TV gave up the ghost.

Weather-related Moving Mistakes are brutal because you can’t control Mother Nature—but you can prepare.

The Fix:

• Check forecasts two weeks out, one week out, and the night before.
• Have tarps, plastic covers, and towels ready.
• If possible, move early in the morning before heat/rain ramps up.

Mistake #5 – Underestimating How Much Stuff You Own (Clutter Shock)

Every move, I swear I don’t own that much. Then I find 11 boxes of old college notes and enough mugs to open a café.

This is one of those sneaky Moving Mistakes—you always own more than you think. That’s why moving trucks fill up faster than your patience runs out.

The Fix:

• Declutter before packing.
• Sell what you don’t need (Facebook Marketplace, garage sale).
• Donate the rest.

Moving is like hitting the reset button—don’t drag your old clutter into a new chapter.

Mistake #6 – Not Measuring Doorways, Furniture, or the Truck

Remember that viral meme of the couch stuck in a stairwell? Yeah. That wasn’t staged.

Skipping measurements is one of those Moving Mistakes that can derail your entire day. I’ve seen businesses lose hours trying to jam oversized tables through narrow doors.

The Fix:

• Measure furniture.
• Measure doorways, hallways, staircases.
• Measure truck space.

If the math doesn’t add up, don’t risk it. Rent the right truck or hire movers with the gear to handle it.

Read Also Top Reasons Local Movers Make Moving Super Easy!

Mistake #7 – Forgetting to Update Address and Utilities

You’re in your new place, excited for your first movie night—except the internet doesn’t work, your power’s off, and your mail is still going to your old apartment.

Administrative Moving Mistakes are boring but costly. Missed bills, identity risks, and late-night frustration without Wi-Fi.

The Fix:

• Two weeks before moving, update:
  • Banks and credit cards
  • Utilities (gas, electric, water, Wi-Fi)
  • Subscriptions and delivery apps
  • Government IDs

Boring? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely.

Mistake #8 – Packing Essentials in All the Wrong Places

This one hurts. I once packed my glasses in a box labeled “Miscellaneous.” Guess who spent the first night in a new house half-blind?

This is one of the cruelest Moving Mistakes because it ruins your first 24 hours.

The Fix: Pack a “first night kit”:

• Toiletries
• Chargers
• Change of clothes
• Medications
• Important documents
• Snacks (because hungry + stressed = bad combo)

Mistake #9 – Overpacking Boxes Until They Explode

There’s bravery, and then there’s stuffing 70 pounds of books into one box.

Overpacking is one of those Moving Mistakes that breaks boxes, backs, and bank accounts. I’ve watched boxes burst mid-staircase like confetti cannons of chaos.

The Fix:

• Stick to the 50 lb rule.
• Mix heavy and light items.
• Double tape the bottom.

Remember: your movers (or your friends) will silently judge you for heavy boxes.

Mistake #10 – Skipping Insurance: The Gamble That Costs a Fortune

Skipping insurance is like driving without a seatbelt—it might be fine, until it’s not.

This is one of the most expensive Moving Mistakes. I’ve seen people lose TVs, heirlooms, even entire sets of furniture to one bad bump in the truck.

The Fix:

• Ask movers about liability coverage.
• Get third-party moving insurance if needed.
• Protect high-value items yourself.

Peace of mind is worth every penny.

Conclusion – Avoid These Moving Mistakes and Save Your Sanity

So, there you have it: the ten Moving Mistakes that can take a fresh start and turn it into a three-day crying session. But here’s the thing—you can dodge every single one of them with a little prep, a little humor, and maybe a little professional help.

Because moving, at the end of the day, is basically project management with boxes. Deadlines, budgets, logistics, even risk assessments—it’s all there. And when you nail it, that new chapter in your life feels a whole lot sweeter.

As Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Don’t let Moving Mistakes prepare your downfall. Prepare smarter, pack smarter, and maybe, just maybe, laugh at yourself along the way.