FREQUENTLY MADE MISTAKES 

Moving is already stressful enough, so a mistake is something we really don't want to make... To prevent any mistakes, ScanMovers has made an overview of the 10 most frequently made mistakes!

Mistake nr.1: Listing to few things on your inventory list

Most people only move three times in their lives. This means that there is a great chance that it will (unfortunately) never become an expert. The estimation of the number of cubic meters of furniture that needs to be moved is therefore not an easy task. With its detailed inventory list, ScanMovers tries to keep the chance of human error as small as possible when estimating the number of cubic meters.

Therefore, when inventorying your things, go through every room; we better want an inventory with too many items than too little. Sometimes extra items can no longer be transported with the moving van or the van needs to drive two times. As long as the customer truthfully passes on information regarding the living situation and the cubic meters to be relocated, little can go wrong.

The biggest source of annoyance for movers is deliberately giving up too little things on your inventory list. A tight schedule is the base for a quick and professional move. Movers incorporate a margin of error in their calculation, however, still it often happens that much more furniture needs to be moved on the actual moving date. Providing the mover with photographs of special furniture (large cabinets, pianos, etc.) helps the mover enormously in making an estimation. 

Mistake nr.2: Poor preperation

A common mistake during moving is doing a poor preparation, such as starting cleaning up and packing too late. As a result of this, movers can not start moving immediately after their arrival. First, one has to search for the right things that have to go with the mover, after which people often still have to (not agreed with the mover) pack too. The result is a move that often takes twice as long, which could even lead to extra costs and a lot of inconvenience for the mover! So: don't start too late!

A perfect preparation starts with the proper packing of items that have to go with the move. A good moving tip: label all items in advance, for example with different color stickers. In this way it is easier for the movers to see where certain things should be at your new address. Again, this saves time and money! 

Mistake nr.3: Underestimation of the amount of work

It is important to specify what should and what should not be done by the mover during a move. This includes (dis) assembling, packing and unpacking, climbing stairs or the use of an external lift.
 

When estimating the amount of work for your move, it would be good to answer the following questions:

Are there pieces of furniture that do not fit through the hallway or through the stairwell?

Do the pieces of furniture have to be moved through the window? Then think of an external lift.

If moving through the window is also not an option, the furniture must be disassembled. Will the mover do this or do you do it yourself?
 

What is the distance from the parking space for the moving van to the front door?

And, in the case of a gallery flat or apartment complex, how far is the main door to the door of the apartment?

Are there unhindered walking routes or do movers have to go through many doors?

Do you want to pack everything yourself or do you let the mover pack a piece / unpack?

These are important questions that need to be answered before a mover starts a move. 

Mistake nr.4: Not requesting a temporary traffic measure or a parking permit or applying too late

Parking near the house (start- and end address) is of course important for a smooth execution of your move, it is a precondition for tight planning. Both a parking permit and a temporary traffic measure must be requested at your municipality at least 1 week in advance. There is a chance that the application will be rejected. That is why: the earlier you request your application, the better.

Requesting and obtaining a temporary traffic measure or parking space for your move involves costs. Therefore, the cost can only be finalized when these costs have been mapped out too. Unfortunately, in a lot of cases these applications are often postponed or completely forgotten. Forgetting them could cause major problems on the day itself.

In some cases, a parking / place / permit must also be arranged for the moving lift. Consider the accessibility for a trailer, but also the location in relation to the wall or the window. Obviously this applies to both the starting address and the end address. 

Mistake nr.5: Moving under time pressure

A move consists of several complex and interdependent processes. Therefore, movers like to be well-informed so that careful and accurate work can be done, according to a tight moving schedule.
 

A move needs to be carried out with care. An imposed time pressure is at the expense of concentration and increases the risk of mistakes and thus damage. Therefore, plan in a lot of time for (the preparation of) your move. Just think: hurrying is rarely a good thing!

Mistake nr.6: Not carefully going through a quote

Moving companies calculate their costs of a move, each in their own way. For example, one mover charges a fixed price, while other movers give an estimate and settle their price based on a subsequent calculation.
 

There are big differences in the insurance conditions, guarantees and service, that movers offer you. The customer does well to compare various quotes before he or she makes a decision. The more information a customer can give in advance, the better the movers can make their estimate! With enough information and accompanying photos, moving quotes can be tailored as accurately as possible. 

Mistake nr.7: Converting address, (energy) contracts and other matters, too late. 
A customer should not only make preparations with regard to the move itself. When changing houses there are a number of things that need to be properly arranged:
 

 Register your move at new municipality
 Pass on your move at municipality
 Movingservice post / move post
 Registering your move in your DigiD
 

The issues above are mainly related to the administration before and after your move. For cases such as energy, internet or television, old contracts perhaps need to be canceled and new contracts concluded. This could be a great opportunity to compare different providers and to close the best deal. 

Mistake nr.8: Not going through your move beforehand

Take ten adjacent houses in a street and no move will be the same. Every move is different and depends on the furniture, the interior, but also especially on the special wishes of the customer.

Via ScanMovers the customer can pass on special requirements and wishes and movers are well informed about this. Yet, it may be that something changes in these wishes in the meantime of planning your move. A brief explanation of special wishes to the local movers reduces the chance of misunderstandings. We therefore advise everyone to go through the house with the movers before the move starts, to make your special wishes clear. 

Mistake nr.9: Not disconnecting your electronic devices

Disconnecting electrical appliances such as a coffee machine, refrigerator or a mixer, is also part of a good preparation. Ideally these devices should be packed in their original packaging, in order to prevent any chance of damage.
 

A washing machine must be moved via a specific step-by-step plan. First of all, a washing machine must be disconnected from the water and power supply. The water probably seeps out slowly, so do not disconnect the washing machine just before you move, but two/three days before. 

Read more about moving your washing machine here. 
 

After this, it's a good idea to wrap the washing machine in foil for protection. This not only protects the washing machine itself, but also the walls of your house from damaging. 

Mistake nr.10: Not taking care of your movers

ScanMovers exclusively works with professional and experienced movers. This does not mean that they do not get tired after a long day of climbing stairs and lugging your stuff around! Make sure that enough coffee and tea is available for a fresh start! Also a snack in between is often greatly appreciated.
 

A move is experienced as one of the most stressful moments in a person's life; surveys confirm this time and time again. A relaxed and friendly atmosphere can take away part of that stress! Of course, you as a customer are not obliged to provide a meal for the movers, but do not forget: it keeps the movers sharp!