Common International Moving Mistakes: How to Stay Organised and in Control

The Pitfalls of Unorganised Moves

Moving internationally is a massive undertaking, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of everything you need to do. It's completely understandable to feel stressed about it. When the to-do list seems endless and every little detail feels like a mountain to climb, it’s very easy to make mistakes. These mistakes often come from a lack of planning, or from not having a clear understanding of what needs to be done, and when.

But, a chaotic move doesn't have to be inevitable. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can avoid a lot of the common pitfalls. 

Pre-Move Mistakes to Avoid

The pre-move stage is the most important for setting yourself up for success and avoiding chaos. Many of the biggest problems can be avoided by careful planning and organisation from the outset. This includes everything from failing to plan properly for paperwork, to underestimating how much packing you need to do, and leaving it all to the last minute. Here are some of the most common pre-move mistakes and, more importantly, how you can avoid them.

Not Planning Your Paperwork in Advance

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not starting their paperwork early enough, and they often underestimate the time it takes to gather all the required documentation for things like visas, passports, medical records, and shipping. If you leave this to the last minute, it can lead to delays and unnecessary stress, and it may even impact your ability to move on time. It's really important to give yourself plenty of time to get all your documentation in order.

• Start gathering your essential documents as soon as you decide to move.
• Research all the specific requirements for your destination country.
• Make copies of your important documents, and keep them in a safe place.

The GOV.UK website has a lot of very useful information about all the required paperwork that you will need when you are moving abroad.

Underestimating the Packing Process

Packing often takes a lot longer than people imagine, and it's something that people often underestimate and leave until the last minute. Many people often think they can do it all in a few days but quickly find that they have misjudged the task and are quickly running out of time. Underestimating the time that packing will take, as well as underestimating the amount of belongings that they have, can quickly become overwhelming.

• Start packing well in advance of your move date.
• Create a packing schedule and a plan for what needs to go in each box.
• Avoid last-minute stress by making sure you are well organised.

Not Decluttering Before Packing

A big mistake that many people make when moving internationally is to pack up everything they own without having a clear out first. Moving items that you no longer need, or that you don’t even like, just adds to the cost, the stress and the workload. 

It's always worth spending some time decluttering and downsizing your possessions before you pack up, as it will help you to move more efficiently, and save you time and money.

• Declutter before you pack to save time, space and money.
• Be honest about what you really need for your new life, and get rid of the rest.
• Donate or sell unwanted items, rather than paying to move them.

Not Getting Multiple Moving Quotes

Choosing the first moving company that you come across can often be a costly mistake. It’s always worth getting multiple quotes from different moving companies, so you can properly compare their prices, services, and get the best value for your money. This will help you make a more informed decision, and it may well save you money.

• Research and get quotes from multiple moving companies.
• Compare their pricing, services, and insurance options.
• Avoid choosing a moving company based on price alone, as quality and reliability are important.

Not Planning for Insurance

When moving all of your belongings overseas, it can be tempting to try and save money by not insuring them, but this can be a big risk. Failing to properly plan for insurance can mean that you’re left with significant losses if anything goes wrong. 

It’s always worth having insurance, as it’s unlikely you will want to replace all of your belongings if they are damaged or lost.

• Research different insurance options and choose the right one for you.
• Check exactly what you are insured for, and what you are not.
• Make sure your insurance will be valid for the entire length of your move.

Mistakes During the Move

Once you are actually in the middle of your move, there are a number of mistakes that can occur if you are not careful. These mistakes can often lead to delays, increased stress, and added expenses that you probably weren't expecting. This stage of the move involves lots of coordination, and things can go wrong if you are not well prepared. Keeping organised is key to ensuring things go as smoothly as possible.

Let's take a look at the kind of things that can go wrong during a move, so you know how to avoid them. Planning carefully can help, but even well organised people can experience challenges if they are not prepared.

Not Labelling Your Boxes Properly

One of the simplest, yet most common, moving mistakes is failing to label your boxes properly. It may seem like a small thing, but it can cause huge headaches and lots of added stress when you arrive in your new home and you're trying to unpack. It’s always worth making sure that each box is clearly labelled with the contents, and the room it needs to go to. This will make your unpacking process much easier, and will save a lot of time and frustration.

• Label every box clearly with its contents and destination room.
• Use different coloured labels for different rooms to make it easier.
• Keep a separate inventory list, so you know exactly what is in each box.

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Not Keeping Track of Your Inventory

Many people think that labelling is enough, but it is actually very important to have an inventory of everything that you are moving, especially if you are moving internationally. Not keeping track of your inventory can lead to lost items, it can make it difficult to claim on insurance if necessary, and it can just add to the overall stress and confusion. It’s worthwhile having a system, as well as keeping a record of what you’ve packed into each box, and you could even include photos for peace of mind.

• Create a detailed inventory of all your belongings before you pack them up.
• Take photographs as you pack up each box.
• Make sure you keep a backup copy of your inventory list in a safe place, and don’t just rely on digital copies.

Forgetting to Notify Important Contacts

Forgetting to update all of your relevant contacts with your new address can cause a lot of frustration down the line. There’s nothing worse than not receiving important paperwork that you're expecting, or missing important communications because you haven't updated your details. 

It’s worthwhile spending the time to make sure all of your contacts have your new address and all of your new contact details.

• Create a list of all contacts who will need to be informed of your move.
• Update your address with banks, insurance providers, doctors and other important companies.
• Set up mail forwarding to ensure you don’t miss anything.

You can set up mail forwarding with the Royal Mail website to make sure that your mail gets to you while you are moving.

Not Double-Checking Your Shipping Details

Not double-checking your shipping details is an easy mistake to make, but it can lead to serious problems. It's important to make sure that all of your details are correct, including your new address, shipping dates, and the contact details for delivery. If these are incorrect, it can lead to significant delays and extra costs, and you might also find that your delivery is lost. It is very important to always double check, and triple check, all of your shipping documents.

• Always double and triple check all of your shipping documents.
• Ensure all of your addresses, contact details and dates are correct.
• Keep copies of your documentation in a safe place.

Not Having a Settling In Plan

Once you get to your new home, it's so easy to just be so exhausted that you don’t have a plan for what to do next. Failing to plan for those initial days in your new home can lead to extra stress and problems. It's essential to have a plan for what to do once you arrive, even if it is just a very basic one. This could include packing a essentials box, planning where you will eat and sleep and knowing how you will be moving around.

• Plan what you’ll do on arrival, including essentials, sleeping arrangements, and first meals.
• Create a basic plan for getting set up in your new home.
• Research local transport and amenities so you can settle in more easily.

Post-Move Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when your belongings arrive at your new home, the moving process isn't quite over yet. There are still several common mistakes that people can make after their move which can lead to added stress, extra costs, and all those things you want to avoid. This phase involves everything from unpacking and setting up, to making sure all of your paperwork and local registrations are in order. It's often here, when everyone is exhausted, that people make the most mistakes. Planning for this phase is just as important as all the earlier phases of moving.

Let’s take a look at some of the post-move mistakes, and what you can do to avoid them, so that you’re able to settle in as quickly as possible.

Not Unpacking in a Systematic Way

Once your things have arrived, it can feel like a huge task to unpack them all, but rushing this process can lead to chaos. A very common mistake is not unpacking in a systematic way. It’s so tempting to just start randomly opening boxes and placing things wherever, but this will ultimately lead to a lot of confusion and more work in the long run. A systematic approach will help you get organised as quickly as possible.

• Unpack one room at a time, so you can focus on specific areas.
• Start with essential items like beds, kitchenware and bathroom supplies.
• Keep a list of what is in each box to make it easier to find.

Ignoring Local Registration and Paperwork

Once you've moved to a new country, you need to make sure you register with the correct local authorities, and get all of your paperwork in order. This is essential for your legal residency, accessing services and ensuring that you are able to live and work legally. Ignoring this crucial step can lead to problems further down the line. It's important to be proactive about getting this organised, and it will save time and problems later on.

• Research all the required registration and paperwork processes in your new location.
• Prioritise setting up new bank accounts, and health insurance.
• Make sure you have all the required ID and documentation.

Failing to Explore Your New Area

Once you’ve moved to your new home, it’s very easy to just stay inside and start trying to get everything organised. However, that’s a mistake as it’s really important to get out and explore your new neighbourhood as soon as possible. You need to learn your way around, know where your nearest supermarket is, your local doctor, and where you can meet people. Failing to do this will mean you are less likely to settle in quickly, and that you will miss out on all of the great things your new local area has to offer.

• Start exploring your new area as soon as possible.
• Visit local shops, parks, and community centres.
• Make an effort to meet new people, and connect with local communities.

Not Having a Plan for Your Essentials

It’s essential that you have a clear plan for what you will need once you arrive. Many people forget to pack an essentials box, or to plan where they will sleep and eat, or how they will get about. Not having these basics sorted can make those first few days really challenging. Failing to plan for these essentials is one of the most common mistakes, and will only add to your stress levels, but it is also the easiest one to fix!

• Pack an essentials box to include toiletries, phone chargers, and all necessary medication.
• Make sure you have a clear plan for your first few nights.
• Ensure you know how to get around and where to get your groceries.

Strategies for Staying Organised and in Control

The key to avoiding moving mistakes is to stay organised and in control at every stage of the process. Here are a few strategies that you can implement to make your move as smooth as possible:

• Create a detailed moving plan: Break down all of your tasks into a manageable timeline and checklist.
• Use an online management system: Use an app or an online system to keep track of all of your important tasks and paperwork.
• Stay in communication: If you are working with a moving company, stay in regular communication with them and ensure you have all of the information you need.
• Be flexible and prepared: Know that things may not always go to plan, and be prepared to be flexible and adapt.
• Be kind to yourself: Moving is stressful so be patient with yourself, and don't try to do too much at once.

Let Deliver1 Take the Stress Out of Your International Move

Moving internationally can be a daunting process, but with careful planning and a clear understanding of common mistakes, you can stay organised, avoid many of the common pitfalls, and ensure a successful and stress-free move. However, it's important to remember you don't have to do it alone.

At Deliver1, we are relocation experts, and we understand all of the complexities involved in moving overseas. We've helped thousands of people with moves both big and small, and we can help you too. We’re different from other companies as we handle EVERYTHING, including all the paperwork, helping you find accommodation, and even assisting with schools for your children. We'll take care of every detail, from start to finish, so you can focus on settling into your new life.

Ready to make your move as easy as possible? Get in touch with our team today for a free consultation, and let us show you how we can help.