Let’s be honest—moving, even when it’s just across town, can be more stressful than people expect. At Lake Movers, we’ve seen it all: last-minute packing panics, forgotten furniture legs, and one too many “Where did we put the coffee maker?” moments. The good news? Most of these headaches are avoidable.
Here are 11 of the most common mistakes families make when prepping for a local move—and how our team helps keep your move smooth, efficient, and (dare we say?) enjoyable.
1. Underestimating How Long Packing Takes
The Mistake:
People often assume they can pack everything in a day or two. Then life (and kids, and work) happens—and suddenly, it’s moving day and half the house is still in drawers.
How We Help:
We offer full or partial packing services, with professional-grade materials and strategies that save time and space. Even if you pack on your own, we’re happy to provide guidance on where to start and what to prioritize.
2. Forgetting to Declutter Before Packing
The Mistake:
Packing and moving stuff you no longer want or need just adds more work (and cost). Many families don’t think about purging until everything’s already boxed up.
How We Help:
Our team encourages a decluttering phase before the big day. Need help hauling off donation items or junk? We also offer junk removal services, so you’re not stuck moving things that should’ve been left behind.
3. Skipping the Labeling Step
The Mistake:
Unlabeled boxes lead to chaos on move-in day—especially when you’re trying to find essentials like toothbrushes, bedsheets, or your kid’s favorite stuffed animal.
How We Help:
If we’re doing the packing, every box gets clearly labeled by room and contents. If you’re packing yourself, we’ll give you some insider tips on the most efficient labeling system to keep everything organized.
4. Not Reserving a Moving Date Early Enough
The Mistake:
Waiting too long to book your movers can mean limited options—especially during peak seasons like summer, end-of-month, or right before the school year.
How We Help:
We always recommend families book early, and we offer flexible scheduling when possible. We also accommodate pop-up moves when plans change last-minute—we’ve got your back.
5. Not Preparing for Kids or Pets on Moving Day
The Mistake:
Little ones and furry friends can add unexpected stress on moving day if there’s no plan in place to keep them safe, entertained, or out of the way.
How We Help:
We help families create a kid-and-pet plan, like designating a safe room, arranging a sitter, or providing a heads-up about how to prep their space. Our team is also friendly and used to working around busy households.
6. Assuming DIY Is Always Cheaper
The Mistake:
A DIY move may seem like the more budget-friendly choice—but when you add up time off work, truck rentals, equipment, and sheer exhaustion, the savings can disappear fast.
How We Help:
Our transparent, no-surprise pricing helps families see the full picture. With us, you get experienced movers, the right tools, and fewer headaches—all often for less than you’d spend managing it yourself.
7. Packing Important Items with the Rest
The Mistake:
Medications, chargers, school papers, and other everyday essentials often get buried in a sea of boxes—and they’re tough to find when you need them that first night.
How We Help:
We’ll remind you to pack a “first-night” essentials bag and can even help identify which items should travel with you, not the truck.
8. Not Measuring Furniture or Doorways
The Mistake:
Nothing stops a move faster than realizing your oversized sofa won’t fit through your new doorway.
How We Help:
Our team comes equipped with tools to handle tricky entries, and we can disassemble and reassemble large furniture. We also recommend pre-measuring key items—and if you forget, we’ve got the skills to improvise.
9. Forgetting to Update Utilities and Addresses
The Mistake:
It’s easy to forget about setting up new utilities or forwarding mail until you realize the lights don’t work and your Amazon packages are still going to your old place.
How We Help:
We provide a handy moving checklist to every family we work with—including reminders to transfer utilities, update your address, and handle all the little logistics that can slip through the cracks.
10. Trying to Do Everything Alone
The Mistake:
Moving can feel overwhelming, especially if you try to do it all solo. It’s physically demanding and emotionally exhausting.
How We Help:
We’re here to lighten the load—literally and figuratively. Our team is experienced, friendly, and ready to support you from planning to unpacking. We’ll treat your home and belongings with the same care we’d give our own.
11. Not Taking Time to Enjoy the Moment
The Mistake:
In the stress of the move, it’s easy to forget that this is a big milestone. A fresh start. A new chapter.
How We Help:
By taking care of the heavy lifting, planning, and logistics, we give your family more time to focus on what really matters—saying goodbye to the old place, getting excited about the new one, and creating a sense of home right away.
Let’s Make Your Local Move the Smoothest One Yet
Moving doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right team and a little planning, it can actually be… kind of fun. At Lake Movers, we specialize in stress-free local moves, helping families like yours navigate the process with confidence and calm.
Need help avoiding these common mistakes?
Let’s talk. Contact us today for a free quote, and let’s make your local move feel like a walk in the park.