It’s often said that moving house is one of the most stressful experiences in life. Although the prospect of making a new start in your dream home is exciting, it takes a lot of work. You have to pack up your entire life and shift it to a new place. You have to change your address, make new friends, and settle into a strange new environment. The whole process can be incredibly overwhelming.

But there are ways to reduce the stress around moving and make your life a lot simpler. There are several mistakes that people make during the process that can be avoided with a little bit of planning. To help get your new life off to the best possible start, here are four mistakes to avoid when moving house.

Leaving it all to the last minute

However long you think it will take to pack all your belongings, it will take a lot longer. Everyone underestimates how painstaking the process of packing every last thing into boxes and moving it to a new location can be. The best thing to do is to start well in advance. Obtain a vast supply of cardboard boxes, either by buying them online or asking friends to donate some. Many grocery stores will give boxes away for free if you ask nicely. Pack away all the things you can live without until you move and keep chipping away at the task every day. When moving day comes around, you’ll be glad you started early.

Not having a clearout

Moving to a new house is the perfect opportunity for a spot of spring cleaning. If your home is full of old junk and clutter, there’s no point moving this all to your next home. This will just give you extra work for no reason. Instead, go through your entire house and get rid of anything you don’t need. If you can’t sell or donate it, just throw it away. You’ll have a lot less to pack and unpack when you move.

Not hiring professional help

A lot of people decide they want to save money on their move by doing it all themselves. If you have a large van and don’t mind lugging boxes to and fro, this can be a good idea. But for a simple and stress-free solution, it is often worth hiring a professional moving company such as SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc. They will be able to transport all of your belongings in a single trip, saving you from driving back and forth between homes. Your move will be far less exhausting, and you’ll be able to enjoy the excitement of this life changing moment rather than stressing about logistics.

Being disorganized

When packing up your stuff, you need to have a system. You don’t want to shove everything in random bags and boxes or you’ll never find it again. Unpacking will be considerably easier if your belongings are logically organized and labeled. Group items by category, such as clothes, kitchen equipment, and books. Make sure your boxes are clearly marked so you know what is in them.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can enjoy a painless and stress-free move. Good luck with your new life!