Everyone hates to move, and for good reason. It’s a lot of work, it’s stressful, and it’s almost always done in a frenzied rush. And on top of that, a lot of things can and inevitably do go wrong even with the best of planning – usually unexpected events we can easily call “moving nightmares.” But with some careful planning and foreknowledge, moving is almost always more manageable. Read on, then, to find out about 5 common Atlanta moving nightmares and how you can avoid them.
1. Moving Boxes Aren’t Labeled
One of the most common Atlanta moving nightmares is one that can easily be avoided. And that is arriving at the new home with a bunch of unlabeled boxes. It’s just that in all the rush and will all the things to do, we don’t take the time to do what we know we should.
When you arrive at your new home with unlabeled boxes, you simply have no idea what’s inside them and where the contents go. “You can’t move the boxes into the room where [they] belong because you don’t know if the items stored inside belong there. Instead, you’ll have to open each box, one by one, in the living room, and see what’s inside. Once you know that, you tape up the box again and then carry it to its proper room.”
You can avoid this moving nightmare by taking the time to carefully label each and every box. “After you’ve packed up one moving box, make an inventory of what’s inside and make note of the general location where those items will belong in your new home. Make sure to write this information onto all sides of the box.”
2. You Hire a Bad Moving Company
One of the big moving nightmares happens when you hire a bad moving company. It can easily happen because moving companies aren’t really regulated, and so anyone with a van or truck and a website can set up in business as a mover. The result is that there are not a few shady moving companies out there. With companies, you get less than professional service, and you may wind up paying more than you agreed to pay.
To avoid this nightmare, you simply must do your research, very thorough research. Get recommendations, read reviews, and then make sure you have a written contract with your chosen moving company.
An even better course here is to consult a Atlanta agent. A good agent will have an extensive professional network and will be able to direct you to highly reputable movers in the area. To find out more about this, just call (404) 977-5054.
3. The Movers Don’t Show Up
This may be less common, but it is definitely one of the big moving nightmares – and that is when the movers just don’t show up at all.
“Sure, it’s a pain when the movers are late, but it isn’t a nightmare. If it’s moving day and you’re waiting on them to arrive, it can be a stressful experience. What if they never show up? This could happen, and it certainly has happened before. Whether it is due to the company being double-booked or careless with their appointments, or whatever the reason may be, not having movers on moving day is a big deal.”
Here’s what you can do to avoid this nightmare. “To start with, make sure that you get verbal and written confirmation of your move from the company. Most will gladly send you an email confirmation. When it gets to the week of your move, call the office to confirm your appointment. The day before your move, call them again to confirm that everything is still on schedule. . . . The morning of the move, keep their contact information on hand. That way, you can keep in touch in the event of a traffic delay or mechanical breakdown, or if there is another issue that arises.”
4. Moving Expenses Far Exceed Your Moving Budget
And sometimes moving expenses begin to run way over your moving budget. And this definitely becomes one of the moving nightmares when your move isn’t completed and you’re out of moving money. You have to finish the move, so you’ll have to come up with more money from elsewhere.
To avoid this moving nightmare, you don’t necessarily have to hire a cheap-o moving company. Instead, in order to save money on the move, you can “schedule a move for the middle of the week – that’s when rates are lower because most people tend to move on weekends.”
Or, if you can swing it don’t move during the summer. “Summer is a popular season to move, so try to avoid moving in June, July, or August.” Movers often offer better rates during the slow season.
5. Your Lease Expires Before Your New Home Is Ready
What if your lease expires before your new home is ready for you to move into it? That wouldn’t certainly qualify as one of the major moving nightmares, wouldn’t it? You may not be able to avoid this nightmare entirely, but here are a couple of things you can do if it happens . . .
“Ask your current landlord if you can stay for a portion of the next month for a prorated amount – that is, you pay the value of what a day would typically cost at your monthly rent, multiplied by the number of extra days you need to stay. If that’s not possible and the gap between your move-out and move-in dates isn’t more than a day or two, the cheapest option is probably to pack everything into a rental truck or moving pod and leave it somewhere safe where you can monitor it.”
One More Thing to Avoid Moving Nightmares
A final thing you can do to avoid moving nightmares is to work closely with your Atlanta agent. Your agent can direct you to the reputable professionals you’ll need in your move, as well as providing valuable assistance and guidance to help you navigate the whole process smoothly. Remember, a good agent will always be looking out for your best interests. So if you plan to buy/sell a home in Atlanta and want to avoid moving nightmares, contact us today at (404) 977-5054.