Common moving mistakes homeowners make, and what to do instead

Packing too late, or too early

Most people either cram everything into the last three days before a move, or they pack so early that they end up living out of boxes for a month. Neither works well.

A better approach is to pack in reverse order of use. Start with items you touch once a year: holiday decorations, out of season clothes, spare linens. Leave daily items like kitchen basics and toiletries for the final 48 hours. This keeps your household functional right up until moving day, without a frantic scramble at the end.

Not measuring doorways and stairwells

A couch that fit through the old apartment door does not automatically fit through the new one. This is one of the most common and most avoidable mistakes in a move.

Before moving day, measure the width of every doorway, stairwell, and elevator the furniture will pass through. Measure the furniture too, including the diagonal depth of anything that has to turn a corner. If something is close, it is worth calling the building to ask about elevator dimensions or freight elevator access, especially in condo buildings where the freight elevator has to be booked in advance.

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Underestimating what a condo building requires

Anyone who has moved into or out of a condo knows that buildings have their own rules on top of the move itself. Many require a certificate of insurance from the moving company, a booked elevator window, and a refundable deposit against damage to hallways and doors.

Skipping this step is a common mistake because it has nothing to do with packing boxes and everything to do with paperwork. Call the property management office at least two weeks ahead. Ask what they require, and get it in writing so there is no dispute on moving day if the elevator booking does not match what the movers expected.

Guessing at moving company costs

A lot of people book the first mover they call, then get surprised by the final invoice. Costs on moving day often go up because of stairs, distance from the truck to the door, or extra time spent waiting for an elevator.

Instead, get at least two written estimates that spell out the hourly rate, the minimum number of hours, and any extra charges for stairs or long carries. Ask directly whether the elevator booking window is included in the quote or billed separately. A mover who gives vague answers here is worth avoiding.

Forgetting to redirect the basics before the move

Change of address is usually the last thing on the list, which is why it gets missed. Utilities, internet, and mail redirection all take time to process, and providers often need a few business days notice to avoid a gap in service.

A simple fix is to set a reminder two weeks before moving day to contact each provider. Confirm the exact date service should start at the new address and end at the old one, rather than assuming it happens automatically.

Not walking through the new space before move-in day

Buyers and renters often see a property once during a showing, then not again until they are unloading boxes. That gap is where most surprises happen: a paint smell that has not cleared, a lock that was not changed, or a repair that was promised but never done.

A final walkthrough a day or two before possession catches these issues while there is still time to raise them. This kind of pre-closing detail is something buyers of any property type run into. Michelle Kam, a real estate broker in Toronto with Re/Max City Accord Realty Inc., has pointed to the pre-possession walkthrough as one of the steps buyers tend to skip when they are focused on the move itself rather than the property’s condition.

Trying to do everything in one day

Movers, cleaners, key handoffs, and a full unpack rarely fit into a single day without something going wrong. A missed cleaning slot or a late key exchange can throw off the whole schedule.

Spreading the process over two or three days, with a buffer between the old place and the new one, gives room for delays without turning into a crisis. Even a half day of slack can be the difference between a stressful move and a manageable one.