Moving House? Make Sure To Avoid These Common Mistakes
Are you moving home in 2026?
Moving home should feel like a fresh start, but too often it becomes a stressful, expensive slog caused by poor planning and avoidable errors.
From underestimated packing time to booking the wrong removals company, small oversights can snowball into major problems on moving day.
Many of these mistakes aren’t down to bad luck; they happen because people simply don’t know what to expect until they’re already in the thick of it.
The good news? Most moving disasters are entirely preventable with the right preparation and professional support.
Whether you’re relocating locally or moving further afield, understanding where things typically go wrong can save you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary stress.
Having supported home moves for over 150 years, White & Company knows exactly where problems arise and how to avoid them.
Below, we break down the most common moving house mistakes and, more importantly, how to avoid them, so you can approach your next move with confidence rather than crossed fingers.
1. Leaving It Too Late to Book a Removals Company
Don’t get caught out. High demand means reputable movers book up weeks in advance. Secure your date early to avoid limited choice and high prices.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming a removals company will be available whenever they need one and at the drop of a hat.
In reality, reputable movers book up quickly, particularly during peak seasons such as summer, school holidays, and month-ends.
Leaving it too late often forces homeowners to settle for limited availability, inflated prices, or plump for inexperienced operators.
Booking early gives you time to compare quotes, read reviews, and verify the company’s accreditation.
For example, members of the British Association of Removers (BAR) must meet strict standards for professionalism and consumer protection.
Pro Tip: You can learn more about choosing a professional mover via the BAR website.
Bottom line: Secure your removals company as soon as your move date looks realistic, ideally 6–8 weeks in advance.
2. Attempting the Move Without a Proper Plan
Structure is key. Use a detailed checklist to manage everything from cancelling utilities to redirecting post, preventing last-minute panic.
Moving house involves far more than packing boxes and loading a van.
Without a clear plan, it’s easy to forget key tasks such as redirecting post, cancelling utilities, or organising access at the new property.
A lack of structure often leads to last-minute panic and unnecessary stress.
Creating a detailed moving checklist helps you stay organised and keeps everything on track.
Breaking the process into manageable steps makes a daunting move feel far more achievable.
Financial expert site MoneySavingExpert offers a comprehensive checklist covering everything from pre-move admin to settling in.
Pro tip: Start your checklist as soon as contracts are exchanged and keep it somewhere you’ll actually check.
3. Underestimating How Long Packing Really Takes
Start sooner than you think. Rushed packing leads to breakages. Begin non-essential items at least three weeks before moving day.
This is one that catches many people out. Packing always takes longer than expected, even for minimalists.
What starts as “just a few boxes” quickly turns into days of sorting, wrapping, and sealing.
Leaving packing until the final week almost guarantees rushed decisions, damaged belongings, and unnecessary stress.
Starting early allows you to pack methodically, protect fragile items properly, and clearly label everything.
It also gives you time to identify items that may require specialist packing, such as mirrors, artwork, or electronics.
Additionally, rushed packing is a leading cause of breakage during a move.
Pro Tip: Begin packing non-essential items and declutter at least three weeks before moving day.
4. Using the Wrong Boxes or Packing Materials
Not all boxes are equal. Professional-grade packing materials protect your belongings and prevent collapse during transit.
Not all boxes are created equal. Overloading large boxes with heavy items like books can cause breakage or injury, while underfilling boxes wastes space and increases moving costs.
Poor-quality boxes can collapse mid-move, putting your belongings and movers at risk.
Using professional-grade packing materials makes a significant difference.
Use small boxes for heavy items, and larger boxes for lighter items such as bedding or clothing.
Filling empty gaps with packing paper or bubble wrap helps prevent items from shifting during transit.
Placing pillowcases, sheets and other soft materials around fragile items is a good idea, especially if you are undertaking a DIY move.
Any professional removals company worth its salt will supply industry-standard boxes designed specifically for moving household effects.
Key takeaway: The right box, packed correctly, protects your belongings and keeps the move efficient.
5. Failing to Label Boxes Clearly
Stop the guessing game. Clear labelling ensures movers place boxes in the correct room, making unpacking faster and easier.
Unlabelled or poorly labelled boxes are a fast track to frustration on moving day.
Without clear instructions, boxes end up in the wrong rooms, or worse, fragile items get stacked incorrectly. This slows down unloading and turns unpacking into a guessing game.
Effective labelling should include both the destination room and a brief description of the contents.
Writing on multiple sides ensures labels remain visible even when boxes are stacked.
Colour-coding by room can also speed things up significantly.
Professional movers often rely on box labels to work efficiently, so clear instructions benefit everyone involved.
While your removal team will prepare an inventory, a more thorough description of what is in each box will make unpacking much easier for you.
Simple fix: Label every box clearly, consistently, and visibly.
Your future self will thank you.
6. Moving Unwanted Items Instead of Decluttering
Declutter before you pack. Donating or recycling unwanted items saves money on removal costs and creates a fresh start in your new home.
Moving house is the perfect opportunity to declutter and dispose of absolutely anything you no longer need or want.
Yet many people pack everything they own, lugging unwanted items from A to B. Not only does this make the move longer and more labour-intensive, but it is also more expensive, especially since removal costs are based on volume.
Before packing, take stock of your belongings and be honest about what you actually use.
Items in good condition can be donated, sold, or recycled. UK charity networks and reuse platforms make it easy to pass items on responsibly.
Decluttering before you pack means fewer boxes, lower costs, and a cleaner start in your new home.
Pro Tip: It is easy to find charities to donate unwanted items across the UK/
7. Overlooking Insurance and Valuation Cover
Protect what matters. Standard liability may not cover high-value items like art or jewellery. Check your policy and declare valuables early.
Many homeowners assume their belongings are automatically fully insured during a move, but that’s not always the case.
Standard removals insurance may offer limited cover based on weight rather than value, which can fall short for high-value items.
It’s essential to understand what level of protection is included in your quote and whether additional cover is recommended.
Items such as antiques, artwork, electronics, or jewellery may require separate valuation or specialist insurance.
Always declare high-value items in advance and keep records, photos, or receipts where possible.
Bottom line: Proper insurance isn’t optional; it’s peace of mind.
8. Assuming Movers Will Handle Everything Automatically
Clarify your quote. Services like dismantling furniture or disconnecting appliances often need to be requested in advance.
Not all removals services include the same level of support.
Some homeowners are caught out by assuming tasks like furniture dismantling, appliance disconnection, or unpacking are automatically included.
Every removal company operates differently, so it’s crucial to clarify exactly what services are covered in your quote.
Discuss any specific requirements in advance to avoid delays or unexpected charges on moving day.
Clear communication ensures everyone knows their role and prevents last-minute misunderstandings.
Best practice: Ensure you have a thorough pre-move survey. This gives you the opportunity to confirm services in writing before moving day; assumptions cost money.
9. Ignoring Access, Parking, and Practical Logistics
Don’t delay the van. Check parking permits and measure doorways to ensuring the loading process is smooth and efficient.
Access issues are one of the most common causes of delays during a move.
Narrow streets, restricted parking, applying for parking permits, or long carry distances can significantly increase loading time and costs.
Check whether parking permits or temporary suspensions are required, particularly in towns and cities where parking comes at a premium.
Measure large furniture to ensure it fits through doorways and staircases at both properties.
Planning ahead: Good access planning keeps your move efficient and on schedule.
10. Forgetting to Update Addresses and Utilities
Stay connected. Notify banks, utilities, and councils of your move, and set up Royal Mail redirection to avoid missed bills.
With so much spinning around in your head, it’s surprisingly easy to overlook address updates during a move, and the consequences can linger for months.
Missed bills, lost post, and service disruptions are common when updates are left too late.
Arrange mail redirection through Royal Mail, and notify banks, insurers, councils, and service providers well in advance.
Utilities should be transferred or closed correctly to avoid unexpected charges.
Royal Mail redirection details can be found via their website.
Final check: Create a list of organisations to notify and tick them off as you go.
Moving House With Confidence with White & Company
Moving house doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With early planning, the right professional support, and an understanding of common pitfalls, your move can be smooth, efficient, and far less stressful.
Avoiding these mistakes puts you firmly in control and allows you to focus on settling into your new home, rather than firefighting problems that could have been avoided.
When it comes to moving home, experience matters. With over 150 years in the removals industry and full membership of the British Association of Removers, White & Company is trusted by homeowners across the UK to deliver a professional, reliable, and stress-free moving experience.
From careful planning to seamless execution, our expert teams take care of every detail, so you don’t have to.
We offer tailored removals solutions designed around your individual needs, whether you’re moving locally, nationally, or internationally.
To find out more about our full range of services or to arrange a free, no-obligation home survey, get in touch with our team today by phone or complete the enquiry form above, and we’ll be in touch shortly.
Useful Moving Guides and Advice
Moving home comes with plenty of questions, and having the right information makes all the difference.
We’ve created a collection of helpful moving guides packed with practical advice to support you at every stage of your move. Below are some of our most popular resources:
- The Importance of Planning Early for Moves in the New Year
- Is DIY Moving Really Cheaper? The Truth About Hiring a Van vs a Professional Removals Company –
- New Year, New Home: The Ultimate Decluttering Guide for New Year’s Movers –
- 10 Top Tips for Moving House in Winter
- Easy-to-Follow Change of Address Checklist
Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.
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