Moving house or relocating your office in Walton-on-Thames? Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing or taking your business to a new space, it’s a big moment!
We’ve helped hundreds of clients in Surrey with their relocations and noticed some avoidable mistakes pop up time and time again.
In this blog, we’ll break down the most common moving mistakes and more importantly, how to avoid them!
Mistake 1: Leaving It Too Late To Book Local Movers
Many people assume they can book a removal company a week or less before their move. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case, especially in Walton-on-Thames, where demand for trusted removals is high due to it’s proximity to London, excellent schools and picturesque riverside charm.
What To Do Instead:
Book your removals company at lest 3-4 weeks in advance, even longer if you’re moving during peak seasons like summer or the end of the year. This not only guarantees availability, but also gives you plenty of time to plan things properly.
Mistake 2: Choosing The Cheapest Quote Over Experience
It’s tempting to go with the lowest quote, but removals are not all completed equally. Inexperienced or even worse uninsurred movers can lead to:
- Damaged belonging
- Delayed schedules
- Hidden costs
- Poor communication
In Walton-on-Thames, where many properties involve narrow streets, flats with limited access or period homes, you need a team that knows the local area well and how to handle home and office moves efficiently.
What To Do Instead:
Always look at:
- Experience
- Customer reviews
- Insurance
- Available services
At Avenue Removals we pride ourselves on being local and trusted with decades of experience and happy customers who return and refer us 🙂
Mistake 3: Underestimating The Time It Takes To Pack
Packing is often the most time consuming part of the move. Many clients say, “Oh, I’ll pack over the weekend”, but forget how much stuff they’ve accumulated over the years. This leads to rushed packing, breakages and moving day chaos.
What To Do Instead:
Start packing non-essentials early (e.g. books, clothing, spare rooms). Spend some time decluttering before packing, so you don’t take thing to the new house you no longer need or want.
Use high quality packing materials. When it comes to packing, investing in proper materials is crucial. Cheap or thin boxes may seem like money saver, but they often end up costing more in stress, time and potential damage. Opt for double-walled boxes – these are designed to withstand the pressure of being stacked during transport or while waiting to be unpacked. Single-walled boxes can easily buckle under the weight, especially when placed under heavier items.
Don’t forget to label clearly. Each room should be marked with the room it belongs to and a brief description of it’s contents. This saves time when unloading and helps your removals team to place things in the correct room.
Or better yet …
Mistake 4: Forgetting To Notify Important Contacts
Moving isn’t just about contents of your home. It’s also about your life. Clients often forget to update their:
- Banks
- Utility providers
- HMRC and council
- Schools and Healthcare providers
- Delivery services
This can lead to late bills, lost mail and unnecessary stress. If you don’t have time to do it all at once, you can always use Royal Mail redirection service until you have settled.
What To Do Instead:
Use our Change of Address Checklist and start working through it when it’s time.
We provide all our clients with a FREE printable checklist when they book with us!
Mistake 5: Skipping A Property Visit
Some people choose to request a quote by phone or use 3rd party websites to receive instant but rough estimations for their move.
But here’s a thing: what you may class as ”not much furniture” may be very different from the reality. Misjudging volume happens a lot and may mean unexpected charges, delays in leaving the property, insufficient vehicles and team being sent to the job.
What To Do Instead:
Always arrange a free home visit. It helps us:
- Assess access and parking
- Determine appropriate vehicles and team size
- Suggest required services
- Answer any immediate questions
We offer flexible options: book a free home visit or just send us a quick video walk-through on WhatsApp.
Mistake 6: Not Considering Storage Options
Not every move is straightforward. If you’re downsizing, having building work done or there’s a delay between completion and move-in. Storage can be just the solution for you!
Yet many people may not consider it until the very last minute. If there is no time to research and gather quotes, you may end up paying much more.
What To Do Instead:
Discuss storage options early. At Avenue Removals, we offer:
- Short term storage
- Long term storage
- Collection and redelivery
- 24 h security
Mistake 7: DIY Dismantling with missing screws!
Taking apart beds, wardrobes and desks sound simple until screws vanish and flatpack logic makes no sense. On move day, this slows everything down and causes unnecessary frustration.
What To Do Instead:
Ask if your removals company includes dismantling and reassembly.
Did you know Avenue Removals offers these with every move?
Mistake 8: Ignoring Parking And Access Needs
If there’s no legal place to park near your property, you could face delays, fines or having movers to carry furniture a long way, which can increase costs and time.
What To Do Instead:
Check ahead of the move day if you need:
- Parking suspensions from the local council
- A permit for yellow lines or residents-only zones
- To notify your neighbours
We can help advise on this during our property visit.
Bonus: Don't Forget The Office Moves!
This blog focuses heavily on the home moves, but if you’re planning an office move in Walton-on-Thames, the same rules apply. In fact, it’s even more important to avoid downtime, protect sensitive equipment and stay compliant with business insurance.
We specialise in:
- Out-of-hours commercial moves
- IT and Equipment packing
- Staff coordination or relocation
- Office clearance and recycling
If you’re planning a move in Walton-on-Thames, don’t let avoidable mistakes turn a fresh start into a stress fest. With proper planning and the right local experts you can sit back, relax and actually enjoy the move.
Let’s make your move smooth, stress-free and (dare we say it) enjoyable!
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