Moving house is said to be one of the most stressful activities we ever have to go through. If you have children, though, this makes it even more of a challenge. It’s helpful, then, to do what you can to make the process less taxing on everyone involved, including yourself. One way to do this is to understand some of the common myths about moving and the reality behind them. 

You’re Better Off Moving Your Own Belongings

One myth that does the rounds a lot is that it’s better to move your own belongings than to hire removalists. Many people think that retaining movers is too expensive and/or that removalists don’t take care of goods as well as property owners do. In reality, though, once you work out the total costs in moving yourself, you’ll see that it doesn’t really end up any cheaper. 

You have to rent a moving truck and factor in costs for fuel, insurance, and even potentially parking fees and road tolls. Add to this the equipment you require to do the job, such as furniture pads, a dolly or two, straps, etc., not to mention the money or gifts you may give to friends or family who help you out on the day. You may need to take time off work or pay for childcare so you can complete the move yourself. Plus, there are the costs that don’t relate to money in the short term but can longer term. 

For example, there’s all the stress involved, plus the physical toll moving gear can take on you. Many people hurt themselves when moving because they’re not used to lifting heavy things. Furthermore, you’re quite likely to end up with damages to your items when doing the job yourself, since you’re inexperienced in the task, unlike those who do it all the time and know the tricks of the trade. 

Movers Can Handle Any Items

Another myth is that movers handle any items you request them to relocate, no matter the type of good involved or its weight, size, or contents, etc. The truth is that removalists do have limits on what they can legally carry, as well as what they feel comfortable accepting. Many independent contractors and moving companies have set guidelines about what they will and won’t lift and transport. 

Most of the time, removalists won’t handle anything unethical, hazardous (think explosives, chemicals, etc.), perishable, illegal, alive, or otherwise unsafe or ill-advised. Many also refuse to deal with furniture items that are too heavy or bulky for the workers to lift and carry safely. 

If you do have oversized pieces in your property, you may be able to request additional staff to work on the day to transport these items, but it must be discussed and approved upfront. If you have other sensitive or dangerous goods, chat with the movers before the big day to see if there’s any way they might handle the possessions. Don’t assume they’ll say yes.

Your New Place Will Be All Ready to Move Into

When you’re getting ready to move into a new property, you will assume the premises will be clean and safe for you to inhabit and that everything in the home will be working correctly and ready to go. Unfortunately, this often isn’t the case. Many properties haven’t been properly cleaned out by the previous owners or tenants. Plus, there may be fixtures or fittings to repair, and other maintenance and renovation work to complete before you can move in. 

Don’t wait until your moving day to take a close look at your new abode. Do a careful inspection as soon as you have access to the property to determine the level of work required. For a list of qualified tradespeople to contact, check out service websites such as https://www.canduhome.com/.

You Have to Get Rid of Stuff 

Although moving to a new place does give you a prime opportunity to declutter and streamline your possessions, this isn’t a must. There’s a common myth circulating that we have to get rid of as much stuff as possible before moving day, but this isn’t the case. It’s your life and your belongings involved, so do what feels right to you.

You may have to move in a hurry, and will likely find yourself flat out in the weeks before your relocation, particularly if it involves moving to a new city, state, or country. If so, the last thing you’ll probably have time for is going through possessions and deciding what to part with. 

Don’t stress if minimizing your goods isn’t achievable before you move. You can always put things in storage and streamline them later if you want, or do the organizing and cutting once you’re in the new home and deciding where to put everything. 

Moving house is stressful enough, so avoid piling more worry and anxiety on your shoulders by believing “facts” that get thrown around but aren’t based on reality.