Are you planning an upcoming move? With so many different factors that come into play with making a residential or commercial move, it can be easy to overlook some important details. Prevent unnecessary moving stress and make the process flow smoothly by avoiding some common moving mistakes.

Read on for our moving advice on the worst moving mistakes you can make—and how to avoid them.

• Not reading up on your moving company.
  • When it comes to choosing and booking a moving service for your move, you absolutely need to do your research on them.
  • Recent reviews and reputation count—if you’ve come across a number of less-than-stellar customer reviews—whether online or through an acquaintance—take that information with a grain of salt.
  • Check for professional certifications and affiliations, in addition to a moving company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating.
  • When shopping around for move quotes, go with your gut. If the moving company you’re considering doesn’t offer free moving estimates or isn’t up-front about pricing and services, consider it a sign of things to come—and that may be a bad sign.
  • Alternately, a company that readily communicates with you and answers any questions you may have will most likely be easier to work with throughout the moving process.

• Attempting to DIY
  • If you’re having difficulty selecting the right moving and storage service provider for the job, or are worried about making a moving budget work, it can be tempting to try to do some—or most—of the moving process on your own.
  • Even if you recruit family and friends to join in, not using professional movers at all is a big risk—especially if you wait until the big day arrives to realize that you’re in over your head. Trust in the professionals to tackle the major moving tasks.
  • While there’s nothing wrong with doing part of the move yourself or with your nearest and dearest, it’s smartest to leave the heavy lifting to the professionals—literally.
  • Otherwise, you’re risking potential injury, damage, and added cost on the backend for replacing or repairing the damage that was done during your DIY moving attempt.

• Poor time management
  • Waiting until the last minute to start booking your move, packing, and diving into the details is never a good idea when an upcoming move is on the horizon.
  • Procrastinating will only make the situation worse, and you’ll feel easily overwhelmed once moving day arrives.
  • Try tackling the organizing and packing process one step at a time in order to prevent added stress.
  • On the flip side, giving yourself too much time can also be negative. If you’ve packed everything up too early, you may find yourself having to root through boxes and undo your hard work to locate the items you may need in the meantime.
  • Once you have your move date locked in, create a timeline for preparing and getting organized that makes sense and is doable.
  • Many moving companies offer free moving tips and packing tips to help you make the most of your time. A well-developed checklist for moving into a new home can make your life so much easier.