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People who are moving tend to make the same mistakes. To keep your time, money and sanity intact, avoid these 12 errors:

Not having a plan. Moving is complicated. It involves myriad activities and tasks that need to be coordinated to bring it all together. Without a plan, you will not have a full sense of what you need to accomplish, what help you will need, and how you will go forward to get everything done. Don't know where to start? Read our week-by-week moving schedule to find out how to take the first steps in the moving process.

Not creating a budget. Hiring a moving company can be a substantial part of your moving budget. If you are moving from a large residence or moving a long distance, your moving services will likely cost thousands of dollars. Understand how these costs fit into your overall budget, and keep in mind other fees such as traveling to your new home, auto transport, temporary living expenses, insurance, etc. Read our step-by-step guide to creating a moving budget.

Not recognizing the busy season for moving. Moving companies, particularly the good ones, are notoriously busy in the summer. The more you plan ahead, the greater the chance you'll book the best moving deal. The best deals for moving are found during the winter and during the second and third weeks of the month. Most renters will be leaving their residences at the beginning of the month, and this creates a lot of demand for moving services. Avoiding peak times is a good way to ensure a moving company's availability at a lower cost.

Not getting estimates from several moving companies. Most people overpay for moving services by not shopping around. Moving companies compete with each other every day, so the managers know their competition. Let them tell you why they are the best choice for you, and get the information you need to make the right comparison and right choice for you. For more information about hiring a mover, read this article about in-home estimates.

Choosing a mover that offers a suspiciously low rate. Quality movers tend to price their services in a reasonable pricing band. If one company prices its services significantly outside this band (25 percent to 40 percent less than other estimates), keep an eye out for two things:

• Their estimates aren't based on the same set of criteria: weight, men and hours needed, etc., as their competitors;
• You will suddenly have a plethora of unexpected charges at the end of your move, thereby tacking on the amount you have to pay.

Moving companies have similar costs for a move: moving labor, packing supplies, driver time, gas, etc. If someone is way outside of the other prices being offered, question why.

NEXT: 7 more mistakes to avoid when moving >>