Moving is expensive enough without avoidable errors making it worse. Yet every week in the Twin Cities, well-intentioned people fall into these common traps — turning what should be a smooth, affordable day into a stressful, costly one. Here are the seven biggest moving mistakes and exactly how to avoid them.
Not Booking Movers Early Enough
Quality Twin Cities movers book 4-6 weeks in advance for summer weekend dates. Waiting means settling for less experienced companies or paying premium last-minute rates.
Book as soon as your move date is confirmed — especially for summer weekends and holiday weekends.
Underestimating Your Volume
Almost everyone underestimates how much they have — forgetting the packed basement, full garage, and closets stuffed with ‘things to deal with later.’
Do a complete walkthrough of every room, closet, and storage space before getting your moving quote. Be honest about what’s actually moving.
Packing Boxes Too Heavy
Large boxes stuffed with books, dishes, or canned goods until they weigh 60+ lbs are dangerous — they break, damage contents, and injure movers.
Rule: heavy items in small boxes only. If you can’t comfortably lift a box with both hands, it’s too heavy.
Poor Labeling
‘Kitchen’ or ‘Misc’ tells no one anything useful. ‘Kitchen — Baking Tools — Not Urgent’ tells movers where it goes and helps you find it later.
Write ‘FRAGILE’ prominently on multiple sides of fragile boxes, and ‘THIS SIDE UP’ on boxes with liquids or upright items.
Not Protecting Floors and Doorframes
One careless furniture move can deeply scratch hardwood floors or gouge a doorframe. Cheep Cheep Movers brings floor protection as standard on every job.
For any DIY portions of your move, put down blankets or cardboard on all high-traffic paths before moving anything heavy.
Moving Items Movers Can’t Transport
Professional movers cannot carry hazardous materials, propane tanks, perishable food, open liquid containers, or pets.
Plan ahead: dispose, donate, or personally transport these items. Always move irreplaceable valuables (jewelry, cash, documents, firearms) in your own vehicle.
Skipping the Final Walkthrough
Before the truck leaves AND after unloading, walk every room, closet, cabinet, appliance, and outdoor storage area. Items left in ovens, under bathroom sinks, and in garage corners are shockingly common.
Note any damage before the crew leaves so it can be addressed immediately.
Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.
At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.
📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
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