Top 7 Moving Day Nightmares and How to Prevent Them

Moving day is supposed to be the start of an exciting new chapter, but some missteps, even small ones, can turn it into a mess ‒ leaving you anxious, exhausted, and financially drained. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, preparation is your best defense. In order to make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, we’ll break down seven of the top moving day nightmares ‒ the most common mishaps people face ‒ and give you practical advice to help avoid them.

Rogue Movers

Rogue movers pose as legitimate movers in order to defraud unsuspecting homeowners. Their scheme typically works in one of three ways.

• The movers arrive as scheduled, but suddenly announce that their services will cost significantly more than what they originally quoted.
• After loading the truck, the movers refuse to deliver your belongings until you pay an exorbitant “delivery” fee.
• Once the movers have your stuff, they leave and never contact you again.

In some scenarios, they’ll hold your goods hostage then refuse to return them even after their demands are met. To avoid falling prey, keep an eye out for the signs you’re dealing with rogue movers:

• Their estimate is unusually low, in order to bait customers.
• They provide an estimate over the phone rather than doing an on-site inspection.
• You don’t receive a written contract or estimate, making it harder to dispute hidden fees.
• There’s no local address, license, or USDOT (Department of Transportation) number listed on their website, indicating they’re not a registered business.
• They have no customer reviews on major internet platforms like Yelp, Google, or Angie’s list because their company is fake or temporary.
• Their moving van is unmarked. Legitimate movers always display their logo on their vehicles.
• They ask for cash upfront instead of waiting until the job’s complete.

To avoid becoming a victim, research moving companies before hiring one. All interstate movers are required to have a USDOT number, which you can check on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website, while all local movers are required to register with the state they operate in. Request at least three quotes, to give you a sense of standard costs. Read reviews from previous customers and ask for a copy of the company’s insurance policy. Legitimate movers understand the risks and will be happy to share their information with you.

Wrong Date or Time

Miscommunication can be costly. Movers who show up a day early or a day late can throw off your entire schedule. If they arrive early:

• Packing can be rushed and confused.
• You may be forced to pay wait fees or rescheduling charges.
• The freight elevators and loading dock might not be available.
• Important steps, like your final walkthrough, might get skipped.

On the other hand, movers who arrive after your scheduled time can cause just as many problems. Depending on how late they are, you might:

• Lose access to the freight elevator and loading dock.
• Miss your move-in window, forcing you to store your belongings overnight.
• Cut work short, if the movers have another job booked later that day.

Hurried moves increase the likelihood of something getting lost, mislabeled, or damaged. For this reason, it’s always best to call your mover and double check the date and time at least a week in advance ‒ even if you received an email confirmation when you booked the move ‒ just to be certain everyone’s on the same page. In the unlikely event someone has got the date wrong, you’ll have time to straighten things out or reschedule if needed.

Truck is Too Small

Hiring a moving truck that’s not large enough for your belongings can lead to headaches and extra costs. In some cases, if you’re moving locally, the company may still be able to complete the job by making extra trips, though it will double or triple your moving time. Often, a considerable portion of your belongings will have to wait one or two extra days until the movers can return for them.

Homeowners moving long-distance have no choice but to wait until the movers locate a larger vehicle, which may be difficult, depending on the time of year. Demand for moving services peaks during summer, making it hard to reallocate resources at the last minute. Delays could result in storage fees, extended hotel stays, and additional costs.

To ensure your truck is large enough for your household, perform a walkthrough with your mover. This gives them a chance to inspect your furniture and belongings in person. Once they’ve had a good look at the items you’re moving, they’ll assign a truck and crew large enough to handle them.

Broken Items

The goal of every move is to ship your belongings safely to your destination. However, poor packing often leads to unfortunate accidents. No one wants to spend their time fixing or replacing damaged items, especially after moving into a new home. Broken furniture is bad enough, but broken antiques or heirlooms are even worse. While you can buy a new bed or sofa, some things you can’t get back.

Proper packing takes a little more time and effort, but the right supplies and technique will keep your belongings safe. Start by purchasing the proper materials, such as:

• Bubble Wrap
• Packing Paper
• Packing Tape
• Packing Peanuts
• Stretch Wrap
• Moving Blankets
• Cardboard Boxes

While some homeowners transport their possessions in bankers boxes, moving boxes offer better protection. They’re constructed from multiple layers of corrugated cardboard, allowing them to absorb shock far better than regular boxes. Once you’ve started packing, follow these guidelines to minimize risk.

• Cushion each box by adding a layer of bubble wrap, packing paper, or packing peanuts along the bottom
• Wrap delicate items separately before packing them
• Avoid placing heavy items and lightweight items together in the same box
• Use packing paper or packing peanuts to eliminate empty space inside the box
• Secure the bottom seam with two strips of packing tape
• Add another layer of bubble wrap, packing paper, or packing peanuts along the top

Wrap large items in moving blankets, using as many as you need to cover the entire thing, then secure them with stretch wrap. If your furniture can be disassembled, take it apart so you can wrap and transport each component separately. Or you can ask your moving company to do it for you, for added peace of mind.

Rain or Snow

When you move, you can’t always count on the weather to cooperate. Storms can sweep in without warning, even during summer. Besides soaking you and your crew, rain and snow can lead to all kinds of problems, including:

• Accidents. Slick sidewalks increase the risk of slips and falls
• Water Damage. Moisture can seep into boxes, ruining their contents. While electronics are particularly sensitive, books, paperwork, and photographs are also vulnerable. It also increases the likelihood of mold and mildew in clothing, furniture, and mattresses.
• Home Damage. When it’s wet outside, crews can’t help tracking water, snow, and gritty debris through your home, potentially damaging rugs and floors.
• Exhaustion. Working in cold, wet conditions drains your energy, leaving you tired and sluggish.

While there’s no way to prevent bad weather, you can prepare for it. Check the weather forecast in the days leading up to your move, so you know what to expect. If you see reports of a particularly bad storm, call your moving company and talk about rescheduling. Most movers have experience working in lousy weather, so they can adapt quickly as conditions change. However, there are a few precautions you can take to make their job easier.

• Use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes
• Wrap furniture and cardboard boxes in stretch wrap
• Pack electronics in plastic bags
• Lay down towels or tarps to protect floors
• Dress for the weather: rain jackets, hats, gloves, etc.
• Sweep leaves and other debris off the paths leading to your home
• Salt the sidewalk and stairs, if it’s icy or snowing

No Water or Power

After moving into a new home, most people want to relax, freshen up, and maybe have a glass of water. Imagine their disappointment when they discover the power’s cut off and the faucets don’t work. Because moves are complicated, it’s not surprising that people sometimes forget to activate their utilities, especially when they’re managed by multiple providers.

Stay on top of things by creating a checklist at the beginning of the moving process. After writing down every task you’ll need to complete (booking movers, packing belongings, changing address, etc.), assign each one a date. Updating utilities doesn’t need to be the first item on the list, but it should happen at least a week before you move. Make sure you research the gas, water, electric, and internet providers in your area, so you know who to contact.

Most movers recommend you activate the utilities in your new home the day before you’re supposed to move in, to make sure everything is ready. At the same time, contact your current providers and ask them to cancel your service the day after you leave, to ensure the lights don’t go out in the middle of your move. Keep their information handy, either in your phone or in a binder, so you can call them in case something changes.

No Parking Permission

Most communities have strict laws regarding commercial vehicles. They not only limit parking, they also restrict loading and unloading outside certain windows. Anyone caught violating the rules can face serious penalties, including fines and parking tickets. In some instances, authorities have towed and impounded moving trucks with the person’s belongings still inside!

Because they own the truck, movers are responsible for fines and impound fees, though they’re normally allowed to pass these costs onto you if you instruct them to park in a restricted area. Even if you’re not liable, these types of delays can cause all types of problems. You might miss your move-in window and be forced to keep your belongings in storage until you can reschedule ‒ stretching the process out by days or weeks.

To prevent disruptions and the extra costs associated with tickets and towing:

• Scout the area ahead of time for legal parking options
• Get parking permits from your city, HOA, or apartment complex
• Make sure your crew is large enough to load or unload the truck in the available time

Avoiding Moving Day Nightmares

There’s no doubt that moving day can be challenging, but most disasters aren’t inevitable. From rogue movers to bad weather to poor scheduling ‒ understanding what can go wrong helps you prepare ahead of time and adapt as needed. Organizing tasks, creating backup plans, and communicating with your team helps turn moving day nightmares into moving day wins.

Full Service Moving Experts

Allied has been helping people relocate since 1928. No matter how far you’re going, we have the tools, training, and experience to get you there smoothly. From planning to packing to shipping, storage, and final delivery ‒ there is nothing we can’t handle. Make your move a dream instead of a nightmare. Contact us today for a free quote!