This guide is for anyone planning their very first move in or around Bristol, including popular routes to Bath, Cardiff, and even relocations from Spain to the UK. First-time movers are often students, young professionals, and growing families who are setting up their first rented flat or moving into a new family home in the region.
A first move feels uniquely stressful because you have no past experience to learn from, you underestimate how much time everything takes, and you can feel unsure about which removal company Bristol to trust. Many people forget to plan for essentials like packing materials, parking or permits, and storage, which leads to higher costs and last‑minute panic on moving day. It also becomes confusing when multiple Bristol movers appear online and all claim to be the top choice.
Simply Removals & Storage Bristol helps remove that pressure by offering a complete, local “start to finish” service. The team covers Bristol, Bath, Cardiff and surrounding areas, plus long‑distance and Spain–UK moves, handling planning, packing, transport, and storage under one roof. This way, your first move feels structured, supported, and as close to “everything done for you” as possible.
Planning Mistakes First-Time Movers Make
Mistake #1: Leaving Everything to the Last Minute
One of the biggest mistakes first-time movers make is booking moving services Bristol far too late. Summer, university changeover periods, and weekends are peak times, so vans and experienced crews get snapped up quickly, and prices usually rise with demand. To protect your budget and your preferred date, aim to book your Bristol movers at least four to six weeks in advance, and even earlier if you are moving in August or on a Friday. Early booking with a reliable local team, such as Simply Removals & Storage, means you are more likely to secure the exact day and time that fits your schedule, instead of having to accept whatever is left.
Mistake #2: Not Getting a Proper Home Survey or Video Quote
Skipping a home survey often leads to predictable problems, like the removal van being too small, underestimating how much you own, or discovering tight access on moving day. These issues can cause extra trips, additional fees, or delays that make an already stressful day feel worse. A proper survey, whether in person or via video, allows the removals team to assess volume, parking, stairs, and fragile items in advance. Simply Removals offers a branded Simply Video Quote web app and traditional on-site surveys so you can record a quick walkthrough and receive an accurate quote, vehicle size, and crew plan without guesswork.
Mistake #3: No Clear Moving Budget or Comparing Quotes
First-time movers often focus only on the headline removal fee and forget about packing materials, storage, parking permits, and insurance. Costs like boxes, tape, bubble wrap, short-term storage, and goods-in-transit cover can quickly push the final bill higher than expected if they are not included in your plan. A smarter approach is to set a clear moving budget, then compare written quotes from more than one removal company Bristol, checking exactly what each price includes. Look for fully insured, well-reviewed companies like Simply Removals & Storage, which clearly outline services, offer packing and storage options, and provide transparent pricing rather than vague estimates.
Packing & Decluttering Mistakes
Mistake #4: Not Decluttering Before Moving
Moving unwanted items means you pay to pack, load, transport, and unload things you do not even use. This increases your removal cost, makes packing slower, and creates more clutter in your new home, which is especially painful on long‑distance routes like Spain to UK. A simple room‑by‑room approach works best:
- Kitchen: bin expired food, chipped plates, spare gadgets you never touch.
- Living room: sort books, DVDs, old decor, and bulky furniture you do not love.
- Bedrooms: donate clothes that do not fit, duplicate bedding, unused shoes.
- Loft/garage: clear broken items, half‑used DIY materials, and forgotten boxes.
If your move involves heavy furniture or large clear‑outs, a professional removal company Bristol like Simply Removals & Storage can help with clearance and handyman support, so you are not tackling everything alone.
Mistake #5: Underestimating Packing Time and Materials
Many first‑time movers start packing the night before, run out of boxes, and end up using weak or random packaging that does not protect their belongings. This leads to rushed decisions, overstuffed boxes, and a higher risk of breakages during loading or transport. To avoid this, begin packing non‑essentials at least one to two weeks before your move, and invest in strong, purpose‑made boxes, tape, and wrapping. Simply Removals & Storage offers removal and storage Bristol–grade packaging through a dedicated packaging shop, so you can get professional materials designed for home moves rather than relying on supermarket leftovers.
Mistake #6: Packing Without a System or Labelling
Packing without a plan almost always creates chaos. When boxes are unlabelled or filled with mixed items from different rooms, things go missing, fragile items get buried, and unpacking becomes confusing and stressful. A simple system keeps you in control:
- Use colour‑coded labels for each room (kitchen, lounge, master bedroom).
- Number each box and keep a short list of what is inside.
- Mark fragile boxes clearly on the top and sides.
- Create one clearly marked “open first” box with essentials for the first 24 hours.
When your Bristol movers see clear labels and room tags, they can place boxes in the correct rooms, which saves you time and makes your first evening far more manageable.
Mistake #7: Forgetting an Essentials / First-Night Box
The classic first‑time mistake is realising you have packed the kettle, phone chargers, and toothbrush somewhere at the bottom of a random box. That makes your first night in Bristol, Bath, Newport, Cardiff, or any new city feel uncomfortable and disorganised. Instead, pack a dedicated “first‑night” box and keep it with you, not in the removal van. Good items to include are:
- For everyone: kettle, tea or coffee, snacks, basic kitchenware, cleaning wipes, bin bags, toilet roll, and a small toolkit.
- For families: kids’ pyjamas, bedtime toys, simple meals, medicines, and spare clothes.
- For students and professionals: work clothes, laptop, chargers, toiletries, and important documents.
A local removal company Bristol that understands first‑time movers can even remind you about this box in your pre‑move checklist, helping your move feel smoother from day one.
Moving Day Logistics & Property Access Mistakes
Mistake #8: Ignoring Parking, Access, and Permits
In busy areas of Bristol and Bath, narrow streets, residents’ bays, and strict parking wardens can quickly delay your move and add unexpected fines or charges. If there is nowhere legal for the removal lorry to park, the crew may need to carry items further, take more time, or even rearrange the plan on the day. A local home removals Bristol team understands these issues and can help plan access in advance, including advising on parking bay suspensions, loading zones, and council dispensations where needed. Simply Removals & Storage can work with you to identify the best parking position, ideal vehicle size, and any council suspension requests so your moving day runs on schedule instead of being controlled by parking restrictions.
Mistake #9: Not Measuring Furniture, Doorways, and Stairwells
Another common mistake is assuming every sofa, wardrobe, or piano will “just fit” through the new property’s doors, hallways, and stairwells. When large items do not fit, you risk scrapes on walls, damaged furniture, and last‑minute dismantling that slows the whole move. To prevent this, measure key pieces of furniture and compare them with doorways, tight corners, and staircases in both the old and new homes before moving day. Simply Removals & Storage offers professional furniture fitting and installation across Bristol, Bath, and nearby towns, so their team can dismantle, move, and reassemble bulky items safely as part of a planned service rather than a rushed emergency fix.
Mistake #10: Assuming Movers Will Handle Everything by Default
Many first‑time movers assume their removal company will automatically disconnect appliances, remove internal doors, and move heavy garden items as part of a standard quote. In reality, many UK removals firms exclude tasks like disconnecting washing machines, handling gas cookers, lifting hot tubs, or dismantling sheds unless this is agreed in advance, often for safety, legal, and insurance reasons. Always ask exactly what is included in your quote, and confirm any extra services before the crew arrives. Simply Removals & Storage provides add‑on handyman services, furniture fitting, and specialist packing, along with help moving bulky items like pianos and garden furniture, so when you book these services upfront, their trained team can take care of the jobs that standard movers might refuse.
Insurance, Storage & Long-Distance Relocation Mistakes
Mistake #11: Overlooking Removals and Contents Insurance
Whenever your belongings are in a van, there is a real risk of breakages, loss, or theft, and that risk naturally increases on longer routes such as Bristol to Spain or Spain to UK. Proper removals insurance should include goods‑in‑transit cover to protect your items while they are being moved, as well as public liability insurance in case something goes wrong at either property during the move. Simply Removals & Storage is an insured removal company Bristol, offering comprehensive cover alongside trained crews, which gives first‑time movers extra peace of mind that their furniture and personal items are protected throughout the journey.
Mistake #12: Not Planning Short-Term or Long-Term Storage
It is very common for completion dates to change, tenancies to overlap, or for people to downsize into smaller flats in Bristol, Bath, or Cardiff and suddenly realise everything will not fit. Without a storage plan, you may end up cramming boxes into friends’ garages or paying last‑minute premiums for space that is not secure. Simply Removals & Storage provides branded removal and storage Bristol solutions, combining secure local storage, flexible short‑ and long‑term options, and integrated transport, so your items move straight from your old home to their facility and on to your new address when you are ready.
Mistake #13: Treating International or Spain–UK Moves Like Local Moves
International routes, including Spain to UK or UK to Spain, involve more complexity than a standard local move, with longer transit times, customs rules, and potential weather or route delays to consider. Customs checks and missing paperwork can hold vehicles for hours or even days, so documentation, item lists, and timing all need careful planning. Choosing an experienced removal company Bristol that regularly handles Spain routes, such as Simply Removals & Storage, helps reduce paperwork stress, ensures correct documentation, and coordinates loading and unloading so your move stays as smooth and predictable as possible.
Communication & Company-Choice Mistakes
Mistake #14: Choosing Movers on Price Alone
Going for the cheapest “van and a mate” option can seem tempting, but it often means no proper insurance, basic or unsafe equipment, and a much higher risk of damage. Untrained, uninsured crews may rush the job, use poor‑quality packing materials, and leave you to cover the cost if anything breaks or goes missing. Instead, look for professional movers Bristol with clearly branded vehicles, solid online reviews, and written contracts that spell out what is included. A company like Simply Removals & Storage, which is established, insured, and active across Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Swindon, and nearby areas, gives you far more confidence that your belongings and your property will be handled safely.
Mistake #15: Poor Communication with Your Removal Company
If you do not share key details like parking restrictions, key handover times, narrow staircases, very fragile items, or the presence of pets and children, your move can quickly slow down and incur extra charges. Crews may have to reorganise vehicles, make extra trips, or wait around for access, which all adds time and cost. First‑time movers get the best results when they provide a clear written brief, use a simple pre‑move checklist, and talk through any concerns before moving day. Simply Removals’ moving advisors can help you plan every stage, from access and parking to packing and storage, so both you and the team know exactly what will happen and when.
Book Your First Move the Simple Way
Booking your first move does not have to be scary or stressful – especially when you have a trusted local partner helping you avoid all 15 of these common mistakes. With the right removal company Bristol, you get guidance on planning, packing, storage, access, and even Spain–UK routes, so every stage feels more organised and less overwhelming.
If you are a first-time mover in Bristol, Bath, Newport, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Cirencester, Gloucester, Taunton, Yeovil, Swindon, South Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, or moving between Spain and the UK, Simply Removals & Storage is ready to help. You can request a free, no‑obligation quote or use the fast Simply Video Quote App to walk through your home on your phone and receive an accurate price without waiting for a home visit. This makes it easy to compare options and lock in your preferred moving date in just a few clicks.
As an extra bonus, offer readers a free downloadable 2025 moving checklist that walks them through each step, from early planning and decluttering to moving day and first‑night essentials. Position this checklist as a handy companion to your team’s expertise, helping first-time movers stay on track while Simply Removals & Storage handles the heavy lifting and logistics.