Thousands of people connect each week with professional moving companies. But moving is not an easy process, and there are a plethora of challenges associated with relocating to a new home and neighborhood. Most moves are the result of a change in employment or family situation, which bring their own challenges.

Hiring a mover to haul your personal possessions from your current residence to your new home can also be intimidating. You have heard the stories of goods that mysteriously disappeared or the quoted price that doubled after the movers completed the job. Unfortunately, these things do happen, and one of the primary goals of Relocation.com is to help educate and inform consumers and help them find high-quality moving companies that are highly professional.

Below are seven common mistakes that consumers make during the moving process. The list will help you prepare for your move and increase your chances of relocating successfully.

1. Not having a solid plan for your move with time to execute it. Moving is a complicated process with many small tasks involved to bring everything together. You need to have a plan of attack and give yourself enough time to execute it. Never try to wing your move as it will almost always turn out worse than expected. If you’re working with a professional moving company, be aware that they get very busy in the summer. Their availability is limited by the large amount of business their good reputation has created for them. By giving yourself some reasonable lead time, you will have more chances hiring your preferred moving company and probably have much more negotiating leverage relative to the price that you will pay. Many renters leave their residences at the beginning of a month, which can create a high demand for mover services at that time. If you have planned ahead and have some flexibility, you will give yourself a great chance to work with the mover of your choice, which immediately takes a big obstacle off of your task list.
   
   
2. Failing to get multiple estimates from several licensed moving companies. No matter how much you liked the first moving company you spoke to, you owe it to yourself to compare their quote and services with other professional movers in your area. Without this information, you have no way to know if you’re getting fair value for the services provided. All moving company sales representatives will ask you about the other moving companies that you’re looking at and the estimates that you have received. Professional moving companies are used to competing for business every day. If they know you’re an informed customer who is looking for the best value by comparing multiple estimates, they are more likely to give you their best price. Ask each company to tell you why they are the best choice. If you see a company using disparaging remarks against their competition instead of extolling their positives, you’re probably not dealing with a professional company. Moving companies know their competition. Once you’re armed with quotes and estimates and have met with your favored companies, you will be ready to make the right choice.
   
   
3. Not being totally honest or upfront with a moving company when they create your estimate. This is one of the most common mistakes consumers make. It is important to remember that your moving costs are based on weight and distance and the other services the movers provide you. Telling the moving company that you did not want to move the sofa and the piano when they gave you a quote, does not mean that you will not pay for these items to be hauled when you get a revised estimate on moving day. If you live on a higher floor of an apartment building or on a street that is too narrow for a moving truck and trailer to pull into your residence, you need to inform your movers of these challenges. If you’re doing a local or intrastate move, the price of your move is highly correlated to the amount of things that you’re moving. The more stuff you have, the more packing, unpacking and costs associated with the move. Again, full disclosure upfront is always the best policy. Mutual trust between you and the moving company will build a good relationship from the onset. Communicating all your needs and providing your movers with accurate information during the in-home survey or estimate process will get this important relationship off on the right foot.
   
   
4. Choosing a mover solely based on price or one whose price is substantially less than the competition’s estimate. Professional moving companies will usually price their services within a reasonable pricing range. This is because they will likely have to pay similar labor costs for their moving crews and additional costs such as insurance and worker’s compensation. If a company prices their moving services significantly outside this range — 25 to 50 percent less than the other estimates you receive — there is something going on that is going to cost you in the end. Either the movers are not basing their estimates on the same set of criteria (weight, men and hours needed, etc.), are not quoting the same services that you’re going to need (packing, shuttle service, etc.) or that at some point you’re going to find a long list of unexpected charges at the end of your move. Moving companies all have similar costs for a particular move, as they will each have to handle the core of the move the same way: moving labor, packing supplies, driver time, gas, and more. If a mover quotes you prices that are far lower than those being offered in the market, you should inquire how they can provide the same service at such a lower prices. Be a smart shopper. When things sound too good to be true in the moving business, it is a very good bet that they are.
   
   
5. Not taking your most precious or irreplaceable items yourself. Give yourself some peace of mind, and always carry your important documents with you when you move. Items such as passports, wills, financial documents, and tax returns should be placed in a briefcase or handbag and carried to your new location. Small, high-value items such as jewelry and watches that can be easily transported should also be carried by hand. You will also want to have a few days of personal items at your disposal such as toiletries and enough clothing for a few days. You should back up your computer files and carry them with you in case something happens to your computer along the way. There are many things that can delay a shipment or that can go wrong during transit. Take these simple precautions to prevent the loss or damage of something that could really create problems for you when you reach your new home.
   
   
6. Not double-checking your inventory sheet before you sign it. The inventory sheet is the documented proof of all your items that were packed and put on the moving truck. Carefully review this document to verify its contents and everything you want moved has been picked up, packed and loaded in the truck. When the goods arrive at your new home, review the inventory sheet again to make sure that everything is there. If you take the time upfront really going through the inventory sheet, it will save you the frustration of trying to remember a month after you move whether you had packed something or not.
   
   
7. Not treating your movers with respect. You would think that common courtesy is common, but movers often tell stories about their customers screaming and berating them, only to then watch them load their items in a truck for a 10-day drive across the country. Why even create one additional chance that something goes wrong on your move? Working as a professional mover is tough work. The hours are long, and the actual work combines heavy physical strain with a gentle touch. Many movers are dependent on customer tips, which motivate them to deliver quality service. A glass of cold lemonade, a warm greeting and heartfelt “thank you” really go a long way. Tip your movers generously, especially if their service meets or exceeds your expectations. These people are the sole protectors of your most prized personal possessions throughout your move.
   
   

This list of common mistakes isn’t definitive, but it is a good head start in helping you remember some important things for your move. Keep yourself organized, ask lots of questions and choose the right moving company, and you will be enjoying your new home before you know it.