Moving is on everyone’s “to avoid” list and for good reason! It can be frustrating, stressful and draining, especially if you are making a long distance move. You no doubt have heard countless moving horror stories ranging from, “We left our clothes at the dry cleaners half way across the country,” to “We forgot that the movers don’t move the dog.” In our business, we have heard it all. But you don’t have to make the same mistakes as those before you! Check out these common moving mistakes:

4 Ways to Avoid Moving Mishaps

Forgetting to change your address. This can cause all kinds of problems, especially if you have moved a long distance. 4-5 weeks before your move, stop by your post office and change your address. You should also contact your utility companies, banks and financial providers, schools and other important institutions of your change of address.

Not getting a moving or storage estimate. Forgetting to research and collect estimates can cause financial problems when moving day arrives. Without your accurate estimates, you may not have enough money budgeted for your move. You may then have to pull money from other important areas. You may not be able to find an available moving company last minute either.

Packing poorly. Not taking the time to carefully pack your things, especially your fragile items, with the proper packing materials can cause heartbreak when you arrive at your new location. Go the extra mile, get the bubble wrap and pack like your grandmother’s china depends on it (because it really does).

Forgetting the pets. You think, “How can anyone forget to make plans for the pets?” but it happens more often than you know. Pets need special accommodations when traveling, whether by car, train or plane. Keep that in mind as you make your moving plans. If you will be staying in hotels, be sure to find pet-friendly facilities in advance.