It’s supposed to be exciting to move to a new place, right? You have a clean slate, a new neighborhood, and the ability to structure your life exactly the way you’d like it. But if we’re being real, it can also be extremely overwhelming. With all the packing boxes, things to sort through, and not losing your sanity, there’s so much that can go wrong.

If you are relocating to a lively city like Cincinnati, OH, you will want it to be as easy as it can be. With so many awesome neighborhoods and so much going on around the city, it is just not the time to be caught up in chaos. So, if you’re getting ready to move, here are some common moving day mistakes that people often make—and exactly how you can avoid them.

Do Your Homework on Movers

There’s one thing that gets overlooked far too frequently, and that’s thinking that all moving companies are the same. However, that’s not true. Some are spectacular, and some, well, aren’t so much.

If you’re relocating around or into Cincinnati, use movers familiar with the city. They’ll know which streets are a nightmare at rush hour, which ones have challenging parking, and how to deal with a multi-story walk-up in older buildings.

Here’s what to look for:

• Good feedback and decent ratings
• Local know-how (that’s very important)
• The services they offer: Things like packing, unpacking, or moving fragile things
• Insurance against disaster

Paying a little more for a professional moving company in Cincinnati will be worth it.

Don’t Leave It for Last-Minute Runs

This one’s huge. A lot of people say they think they’ll just get it all done in the last week and then they scramble to get things done.

Here’s why it matters:

• Eventually you will not have time to go through stuff properly.
• Crucial items such as scheduling movers or transferring your utilities could begin to get lost in the chaos.
• It becomes a jumbled mess where things get either lost or broken.

So what is there to do instead?

Start early. Like, really early. Plan things by week or, even, by day:

• 4 weeks before: Begin to declutter and gather packing supplies.
• 3 weeks before: Start packing the things you don’t need and donate or sell them.
• 2 weeks before: Alert utility companies, schools and others who should know about your move.
• 1 week before: Finalize all details with movers and pack up the majority of your belongings.

Don’t Take Everything You Own With You

Let’s be honest: moving is the best time to get rid of things you don’t need. Do not just stuff everything in boxes and get to it later. That only creates more work.

Spend a weekend sorting things room-by-room and ask yourself:

• When did I last use this?
• Do I even like this item anymore?
• Can a second person put it to better use?

If you don’t move things that will eventually end up being tossed anyway, you will save so much time and energy. And on top of all that, the less stuff you have to move, the cheaper and easier it is.

Options for unwanted items:

• Give to local shelters or Goodwill
• Sell on Facebook Marketplace or at a yard sale
• Consider junk recycling or disposal

Labels Are Your Best Friend

You may be convinced that you’ll keep track of everything you’ve packed into every box but once moving day actually arrives, it’s all a blur.

Do this instead:

• Label each box with the room and its contents. (e.g., “Bathroom – Towels & Toiletries”)
• If you want to make it fancy, use color-coded tape or stickers.
• Clearly mark boxes with fragile items in the following way: FRAGILE – HANDLE WITH CARE

You will thank yourself when you get to your new house and try and retrieve your phone charger or a clean towel on the first go.

Take Stock (Yes, Seriously)

Making an inventory might seem like overkill, but it’s so helpful — especially if you’re hiring movers. It is super easy for small things to get lost in the chaos of moving, but if you have an inventory you can keep track of everything.

Here’s a quick way to do it:

• Using an app or notepad, compile a list of your belongings room-by-room.
• Put a check by items as they are packed into boxes and loaded onto the truck.
• As you’re unloading into your new home, cross-check everything.

This helps you keep a tab on your stuff and if something goes missing or gets broken, insurance claims can help you recover the costs.

Don’t Cut Corners with Packing Materials

Packing your things in rundown boxes, or wrapping your fragile items in a t-shirt may seem like a way to cut corners and save some cash, but it’s not worth the risk.

What to use instead:

• Bubble wrap or foam glass and electronics
• Packing paper for dishes
• Heavy-duty double wall cartons for heavy items

And remember to tape the bottoms of the boxes well and to reinforce the corners. And label your fragile items clearly.

Don’t Forget the ‘Essentials’ Box

This is one that we often overlook, and it can truly make a difference in whether or not you have a good first night in your new home. The essentials box should house everything that you want within arm’s reach.

It can include:

• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and towels
• A change of clothes
• Medications
• Phone charger
• Coffee maker or instant coffee
• Paper towels and general cleaning necessities
• Some plates, cups and utensils

And having that one box easily available ensures you don’t need to go through ten others just to brush your teeth or make a cup of coffee.

Tell Everyone (Not Just the Post Office)

The post office isn’t the only place that should know that you are moving houses. Make sure you contact:

• Gas, water, and electricity companies and internet providers.
• Banks
• Insurance providers
• Medical offices
• Schools and employers
• Subscription services, including those operated by Amazon, or streaming apps

Do this at least a week before you move so you don’t miss a beat — and so your bills and packages start showing up where you happen to be.

Relocating does not have to be a headache. With a little planning, the right help and a bit of organization, it’s possible to sidestep the chaos of a typical move-in day.

Just remember:

• Don’t procrastinate
• Declutter as much as possible
• Label and protect your stuff
• Carry on wisely and pack for day one
• Announce and inform people who need to know

So try to take a deep breath, write a list and just do it one step at a time. Before you know it, you will be kicking back in your new space, with everything right where it should be.