Let’s be honest—moving is rarely as smooth as we hope.
You think you’ve got everything planned: boxes taped up, movers booked, timeline set. Then something throws a wrench into the whole thing. A forgotten detail. A parking issue. A freak rainstorm. Before you know it, you’re hours (or days) behind schedule, stressed out, and scrambling.
After seeing (and experiencing) my fair share of move-related mishaps, I figured it was time to put together a quick guide on the most common reasons moves get delayed—and how you can dodge them.
1. Booking Stuff Too Late
This one’s a classic. A lot of people wait until a week or two before moving day to book their movers, truck, or even take time off work. By then, the good slots are usually taken—especially if you’re moving at the end of the month or on a weekend.
Pro tip:
Try to lock in your movers 4–6 weeks ahead of time. And if you’re doing it yourself, reserve your truck early too. Don’t leave it to chance.
2. Weather Being… Well, Weather
I once had a move delayed by a full day because of a thunderstorm. Nothing you can do about Mother Nature, but it helps to keep an eye on the forecast.
What helps:
Have a backup plan—tarps, plastic bins, or just some extra towels. And maybe build in a little buffer time in case the skies decide to go rogue.
3. Still Packing on Moving Day
I get it—packing is the worst. But if you’re still stuffing things into boxes when the movers arrive, it’s going to slow everything down. Big time.
What helps:
Start packing early, even if it’s just a box or two a day. Label them clearly, and keep essentials separate so you’re not tearing through everything later looking for your toothbrush.
4. No Elevator or Parking Access
This happens more often than you’d think—especially in condos or city apartments. If the movers can’t park close or don’t have elevator access, that’s hours lost.
Heads up:
Talk to your building manager early. Reserve the elevator, loading dock, or even grab a temporary parking permit if you need one.
5. Thinking It’ll Take Less Time Than It Does
Most people underestimate how long moving takes. “A couple of hours” often turns into a full day.
What helps:
Overestimate. If you think it’ll take three hours, plan for six. Give yourself wiggle room, especially if you’re renting a truck or hiring movers by the hour.
6. Traffic, Breakdowns, and Random Delays
If you’re moving across town or to another city, don’t be surprised if something on the road holds you up. I’ve been stuck behind accidents, road closures, and even a parade once. Not fun.
Tip:
Ask your moving company if they have a plan B in case of breakdowns or delays. If you’re driving, make sure your car or rental truck is in good shape before hitting the road.
7. Forgotten Paperwork or Payment Issues
It’s awkward when you realize you haven’t signed something or don’t have cash on hand for a deposit.
Fix it early:
Double-check your contracts, IDs, and payment arrangements the day before. It’s one less thing to worry about.
There’s no such thing as a perfect move—but with a little foresight, you can avoid the most common delays. Take the time to plan, communicate clearly with your movers, and build in some flexibility. Trust me, your future, stress-free self will thank you. Call us for help Soon Seng 2000 Transport Service