Myths about Moving House that Need Busting

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Last Updated on August 25, 2022

If you’ve recently bought or leased a new home and have to move house soon, it’s essential to do what you can to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

While you’ll likely research moving tips and get advice from family and friends who have relocated in recent times, do be careful to examine the information you receive. There are plenty of myths out there about moving house that need busting.

It’s Cheaper to Move Yourself

One of the most pervasive myths is that it’s always cheaper to move yourself. If you want to save money on your relocation, you may be tempted to handle the project without professional assistance. However, keep in mind that costs add up. Final moving fees often end up being around the same as hiring removalists. On top, though, you have all the added stress and physical toll that comes with moving yourself.

Handling things “in-house” can get expensive since you have to rent a moving truck and pay for things like fuel and vehicle insurance, plus possibly road tolls and parking permits. You’ll need to get moving equipment such as a dolly, straps, and furniture pads to help you handle heavy pieces, and you may need to give your friend or family helpers cash, alcohol, or a gift card to pay them for their assistance. 

There are also meals and lodging costs if you’re moving cities. You will likely have more damages to deal with if you haven’t handled a move before, too. Add to this list the cost of taking time off work or paying for childcare while you move all your stuff (you won’t do the job as quickly as professionals), and you can see how it might be as expensive as hiring movers in the first place. 

You Must Minimize Possessions

Another myth many people accept as fact when it comes time to move is that you must minimize your possessions. While it’s true that relocating homes does give you an excellent opportunity to get rid of things you no longer have use for, this doesn’t mean you have to spend weeks or months streamlining your belongings. Regardless of where you plan to dispose of those things, you need to do it somewhere or you may enquire today for a waste collection to send it where it needs to.

In reality, moves often come at inconvenient times when you’re flat out at work, bringing a new baby home, or have some other significant life change to deal with. When this is the case, the last thing you want to do is add more to your plate. 

Note, too, that often people have to move to leased homes they’ll only be in for a short, set period, such as while waiting for a new property build. In this situation, it’s better to find out about cheap storage units in your area where you can store many of your possessions until you get to move into your dream home. Alternatively, perhaps you’re relocating for a job for a period or going overseas for a year. In these cases, it’s often helpful to utilize a storage unit rather than just getting rid of your “stuff.” 

Your Home will be Move-In Ready

Whether you’re heading off to a property you’ve purchased or a place you’ve signed a lease on, your expectation is probably that the home is move-in ready. Unfortunately, though, this isn’t always the case. Many properties need more comprehensive cleaning before you move possessions in, or you may need to repair fixtures or fittings or do some renovation work to make the home your own. It pays to do a careful inspection of your new abode before moving day arrives so you can see what condition it’s truly in. 

Movers will Handle Any Item

If you’re hiring removalists to get your things to your new place, don’t assume that they will handle any item you have that needs relocating. A common myth is that movers happily maneuver all belongings, no matter what they are, and how much they weigh. 

In truth, though, movers generally won’t handle anything illegal, unethical, perishable, alive, or unsafe, such as hazardous materials (e.g., chemicals or explosives). They also won’t accept furniture pieces too heavy for the people allocated to your move to lift safely. Speak with the moving company upfront to learn their rules about hazardous and other sensitive items. 

Moving house is known as one of the most stressful things we all have to do in life. You can minimize the pain and anxiety, though, by educating yourself on the myths around this process. Knowing the truth about what’s in front of you helps. Then you can adequately prepare and plan for the big day.