Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Moving – And How to Avoid Them

Moving house is a big life event—often exciting, but just as often stressful. From packing boxes to coordinating logistics, it’s easy to make mistakes that can lead to delays, damage, or unnecessary costs. Whether you’re relocating across the city or to a new suburb, avoiding common pitfalls can help your move go smoothly. If you're searching for professional removalists Melbourne, understanding these five common mistakes—and how to avoid them—can save you time, money, and stress.

1. Underestimating the Time Needed to Pack

One of the most common errors people make is leaving packing to the last minute. It’s tempting to assume you’ll get it all done the night before, but packing always takes longer than expected. Rushing increases the risk of items being packed poorly, lost, or broken during transit.

How to avoid it: Start early. Begin with non-essential items weeks in advance, like books, décor, and out-of-season clothes. Label boxes by room and contents, and always pack fragile items with plenty of padding. Allocate time each day leading up to the move to chip away at your packing list.

2. Failing to Declutter Before the Move

Bringing everything you own—including things you haven’t used in years—means more to move, more to pack, and more to unpack. Moving is the perfect opportunity to assess what you really need and what can be sold, donated, or tossed.

How to avoid it: Before you even begin to pack, go through each room and sort items into “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “bin.” If you’re planning a House Moving Melbourne process, lighter loads will mean less stress—and potentially lower moving costs.

3. Not Measuring Furniture and Doorways

Many people assume their furniture will fit in their new home the same way it did in the old one. But when the movers arrive, you don’t want to discover your lounge doesn’t fit through the hallway or your fridge won’t make it into the kitchen.

How to avoid it: Measure large furniture and compare it with doorways, hallways, and staircases at your new place. Take note of tight corners and narrow access points. Share this information with your removalists ahead of time to ensure they arrive prepared with the right tools and strategies.

4. Forgetting to Update Address and Utilities

Among the chaos of moving, it's easy to forget to redirect your mail or notify service providers. This can lead to missed bills, delayed services, and confusion in your first few weeks at your new home.

How to avoid it: Make a checklist of everyone who needs to know your new address: banks, insurance companies, subscription services, schools, and the electoral commission. Redirect your mail through Australia Post, and be sure to schedule disconnection and reconnection of utilities in advance. These small tasks make a big difference in avoiding headaches later.

5. Choosing the Wrong Moving Company

Not all removalists are created equal. Some companies offer low rates but compromise on service, reliability, or care when handling your belongings. If you've ever heard moving horror stories, chances are it involved an inexperienced or careless team.

How to avoid it: Do your research. Read reviews, ask for recommendations, and check if the movers are fully insured. If you're seeking a trustworthy and experienced company like Friendly Moving Men, look for movers with a proven track record, clear pricing, and transparent communication.

Trust Moving Men Removals for a Stress-Free Move

Avoiding these five common mistakes starts with planning, preparation, and choosing the right people to help you on moving day. At Moving Men Removals, we pride ourselves on professionalism, attention to detail, and personalised service. Whether you’re moving across the street or to a new suburb, our experienced team takes the stress out of moving, ensuring your belongings are handled with care from start to finish. Contact Moving Men Removals today to book your move with confidence.