Avoid 6 Common Moving
Mistakes for a Stress-Free Move in 2024

Moving to a new home is one of life's most exciting transitions. A fresh start, a new neighbourhood, new memories waiting to be made. But between packing up your entire life and making sure everything arrives in one piece, a lot can go sideways. The good news is that most moving mistakes are completely avoidable with a little planning.

Here are the six most common ones we see, and exactly how to sidestep them.

1. Not decluttering before you pack

When moving day sneaks up on you, it is tempting to just throw everything into boxes and sort it out later. The problem is that moving more than you need costs you both time and money, especially since most Toronto movers charge by the hour.

You do not need a dedicated decluttering weekend to make progress. Start small. Go through a drawer while watching TV, sort through a closet on a Sunday morning, or talk over dinner about what the household no longer needs. Get everyone involved. Items in good condition can be donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore or the Salvation Army, or sold online to offset some of your moving costs. What you do not bring with you, you do not have to unpack.

2. Not having enough packing supplies

Running out of boxes halfway through packing is one of the most common and avoidable stressors on moving day. Start by using what you already have: suitcases, duffel bags, plastic bins, and laundry baskets can all double as luggage. For everything else, stock up on quality materials from the start rather than making multiple trips to get more.

At Six Moving, we offer a full range of sturdy, Canadian-made boxes and packing supplies. Our team can help you estimate how much you will need based on your home size and inventory so you are not caught short. Not sure where to begin? Check out our Box Supply Calculator or our Know Your Boxes guide before you buy.

The essentials to have on hand before packing day include moving boxes in various sizes, clear packing tape, bubble wrap, glass dividers, wardrobe boxes, mattress covers, and packing paper.

3. Not labelling your boxes

Labelling feels like an optional step until you are standing in your new home surrounded by forty unmarked boxes and no idea where your phone charger is. Clear labels save you and your movers significant time on moving day and make unpacking far less chaotic.

On each box, write the room it belongs to and a brief summary of its contents. For example: Room: Kitchen, Contents: Mugs and Glasses. You can take it a step further with colour-coded labels for each room, which makes it easy for movers to place everything in the right spot without having to ask. Your future self will be very glad you took the extra five minutes.

4. Leaving everything to the last minute

Procrastination and moving are a stressful combination. It is easy to convince yourself that packing will not take that long, and then suddenly it is the night before your move, and nothing is done. Starting early is one of the single best things you can do for your stress levels.

Work through your home, one room or one category at a time. Pack the things you use least first, and leave the daily essentials for last. If life gets busy and you find yourself running out of time, Six Moving's professional packing team can step in and take over, whether that means handling one or two rooms or doing a full pack from start to finish.

5. Waiting too long to book your movers

In 2026, the Toronto moving market will stay busy well beyond traditional peak season. Spring and summer weekends book up fast, but so do end-of-month dates year-round, since most leases in the city turn over on the first of the month.

The earlier you book, the more flexibility you have over your preferred date and time slot. Booking early also gives you time to compare companies properly, read reviews, and make an informed decision rather than going with whoever has availability at the last minute. At Six Moving, we recommend booking as soon as your move date is confirmed.

6. forgetting to pack an essentials box

After a long moving day, the last thing you want to do is dig through a stack of boxes to find your toothbrush before bed. An essentials box is one of the simplest ways you can make your first night in your new home comfortable rather than chaotic.

Pack it last so it comes off the truck first, and make sure it includes everything you will need within the first 24 hours: toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, medications, basic kitchen supplies, snacks, bedding, and anything else you reach for daily. Label it clearly and keep it separate from everything else.

Moving Does Not Have to Be Stressful

Avoiding these six mistakes will significantly reduce the pressure on your moving day. And when you have the right team behind you, the whole process becomes a lot more manageable.

At Six Moving, we offer everything you need for a smooth move: professional packing, quality supplies, careful handling, and a crew that genuinely cares about getting you settled. Whether you are moving within Toronto or heading somewhere new, we are here to help every step of the way.

Related Resources

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