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Moving mistakes are so common that Americans are guilty of making multiple slip-ups per move, according to new research.
A study of 2,000 Americans found that the average person makes five different mistakes in a single move and 44 percent have made the same moving mistake more than once.
But what types of moving mistakes are Americans guilty of making?
Turns out, stressful last-minute packing is the number one moving mistake among Americans. Results revealed that 45 percent of Americans have experienced the stress that comes with packing at the last minute.
Other mistakes that Americans have made include: furniture not fitting into the room that it was planned for (37 percent), doing everything on their own (36 percent), not saving enough for moving expenses (35 percent) and getting new furniture delivered late (34 percent).
Conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Article, the study examined the moving behaviors and habits of 2,000 people who have ever moved — and it discovered that moving to a new home is one of the most stressful events in life, ahead of planning a wedding and having a child.
So what is the most challenging part of moving? Forty-one percent reveal cleaning the old place is the biggest moving stressor.
Other moving stresses include putting together furniture (36 percent), planning out the logistics of the actual move (36 percent), packing up the old space (35 percent) and managing the children (34 percent).
“It’s no surprise Americans find moving stressful and that more than a third cited issues with furniture as a frequent moving mistake," said Andy Prochazka, CMO of Article, who commissioned the survey. "The survey illustrates furniture delivery and setup have a significant impact on the moving experience.”
Further, moving with others can be a real struggle. Three in 10 respondents said that moving with children was the most difficult, while another 21 percent revealed moving with a significant other or spouse was extremely challenging.
Americans hate moving so much that they would be willing to give up some of their favorite things to avoid it. Forty-three percent of people studied revealed they’d be more willing to give up alcohol than to deal with a move.
But it’s not just alcohol that Americans would give up to avoid the dreaded move. Thirty-seven percent are happy to give up chocolate so they don’t have to pack up their things, while 36 percent would much rather stand in line at the DMV than deal with the stress of moving.
Thirty-five percent of those surveyed also revealed that they’d rather file their taxes than plan a move while a further 29 percent would rather go to the dentist than undergo a move.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Eighty-two percent of those surveyed said they were able to learn from their moving mistakes and not make the same ones in the future.
Prochazka added, “There are ways to make the process easier and a lot less painful, such as opting for furniture assembly services or selecting companies that provide on-the-spot troubleshooting if you encounter an issue at delivery. Choosing the right business will help alleviate some of the stress that comes with furniture related moving mistakes so you can relax in your new home faster.”
TOP 5 MOVING MISTAKES
1. Stressful last minute packing 45%
2. Furniture won’t fit into the room I planned to put it in 37%
3. Doing everything myself 36%
4. Not saving enough for moving expenses 35%
5. New furniture delivered late 34%
TOP 5 THINGS AMERICANS WOULD RATHER DO THAN MOVE
1. Give up alcohol 43%
2. Give up chocolate 37%
3. Stand in line at the DMV 36%
4. File taxes 35%
5. Go to the dentist 29%
TOP 5 MOVING STRESSORS
1. Cleaning the old place 41%
2. Putting together furniture 36%
3. Planning out the logistics of the actual move 36%
4. Packing up the old space 35%
5. Managing the children 34%
TOP 5 PIECES OF MOVING ADVICE
1. Giving myself enough time to plan everything out 43%
2. The importance of measuring furniture and doorways 40%
3. Throw away or donate items I no longer need 39%
4. Learn proper packing techniques 39%
5. Declutter my current home 36%
TOP 10 STRESSFUL LIFE MOMENTS
1. Losing a job 36%
2. Moving to a new home 34%
3. Planning a wedding 28%
4. Getting married 20%
5. Starting a new job 20%
6. Having my phone die when lost 17%
7. Having a child 16%
8. A job interview 16%
9. Meeting partners’ parents for the first time 11%
10. Filing taxes 10%
TOP 5 HARDEST PEOPLE TO MOVE WITH
1. Children 30%
2. Significant other/spouse 21%
3. Roommate(s) 16%
4. By myself 10%
5. Pet(s) 8%
TOP 5 REASONS TO AVOID MOVING
1. Too expensive 52%
2. Hassle of packing 40%
3. Throwing things out 37%
4. Finding new furniture 35%
5. Coordinating with movers 24%
