Moving house is a major milestone — but even the most exciting moves can become stressful if you fall into common moving house mistakes. After nearly 50 years of helping families across Kent and the South East, we’ve seen firsthand the most common pitfalls people face during a house move.
At Colin Batt Removals, we’re here to make your move easier. So before you pack a single box, take a few minutes to learn the top 5 moving house mistakes to avoid — and how to do it right.
1. Leaving Everything to the Last Minute
The mistake: Underestimating how much time and energy packing takes.
What happens: You’re throwing things in boxes the night before the move, mislabelling items, or worse — forgetting essentials altogether.
✅ How to avoid it:
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Start packing at least 3–4 weeks in advance, beginning with rarely used items, or ask your removal company to do the packing.
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Use a room-by-room approach, and clearly label every box with its contents and destination room.
2. Not Decluttering First
The mistake: Taking everything with you — even the things you don’t need or want.
What happens: You pay more for removals, have more to unpack, and clutter your new space before you’ve even settled in.
✅ How to avoid it:
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Sort your items into “Keep, Donate, Recycle, Bin” categories.
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Be ruthless with old clothes, outdated electronics, and items you haven’t used in over a year.
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Decluttering before a move is a chance to start fresh.
3. Choosing a Removal Company Based on Price Alone
The mistake: Hiring the cheapest company without checking experience or reviews.
What happens: You risk delays, damaged belongings, hidden fees, or no-shows on moving day.
✅ How to avoid it:
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Look for a reputable, insured removal company with excellent reviews (like Colin Batt Removals).
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Ask about experience, accreditations, and whether they offer services like packing, storage, or specialist moves.
4. Forgetting to Pack an Essentials Box
The mistake: Everything is in the van — even the kettle, toothbrushes, and your child’s favourite toy.
What happens: Chaos on moving day and a stressful first night in your new home.
✅ How to avoid it:
Pack a clearly labelled “Essentials” box for your first 24 hours. It should include:
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Toiletries and medication
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Chargers and important documents
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Kettle, tea, and snacks
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Bedding, towels, and nightwear
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Toys or comfort items for children
5. Underestimating How Stressful Moving Can Be
The mistake: Assuming everything will go smoothly with no contingency plan.
What happens: Unexpected delays, emotional exhaustion, and tension among family members.
✅ How to avoid it:
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Give yourself buffer time around exchange and completion.
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Book time off work and accept help when it’s offered.
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Most importantly, work with experienced professionals who take the pressure off — so you can focus on the excitement of your new beginning.
Make Your Move Mistake-Free with Colin Batt Removals
We’ve helped thousands of homeowners move with confidence, care and calm. Whether you’re moving across Kent, relocating to the countryside, or simply need help with packing or piano removals — we’ve got you covered.
🎹 Specialist removals
🏡 Full packing services
📦 Secure storage solutions
Get a free quote today, and let’s make your move one worth remembering — for all the right reasons.