Moving to a new home, city, or state can be exciting and daunting. There are so many things to think about and plan for! To help make your relocation as smooth as possible, we asked professional movers for their top tips. Here are 10 of their best pieces of advice, plus a few bonus tips:
Start Early
The sooner you start planning your move, the better. This gives you ample time to declutter your home, research moving companies, and tie up any loose ends at work or school. Plus, it’s one less thing to stress about!
Get Rid of Anything You Don’t Need
Moving is the perfect opportunity to eliminate things you no longer use or need. Purge your closet, go through your kitchen cabinets, and eliminate anything that’s taken up space for too long. Not only will this make packing more accessible, but it’ll also save you money on moving costs.
Research Your Moving Options
Not all moving companies are created equal! Make sure to research and choose a reputable company that offers the services you need at a price you can afford. Ask for recommendations or read online reviews to understand which companies are worth considering.
Arrange to Ship Your Car Ahead of the Big Move
One of the most stressful aspects of moving is transporting your car. To avoid the headache and expense of driving it yourself, consider shipping your car ahead of time. Many professional movers offer this service, or you can research auto transport companies on your own.
Get Quotes from Multiple Companies
Once you’ve narrowed down your options for moving companies and auto transport companies, get quotes from each company to compare prices. Remember to ask about any additional fees so there are no surprises later. Don’t forget to check reviews and ask friends and family for referrals about these services.
Prepare Your Movers
When hiring movers, prepare them for everything they encounter at your home. This means labeling boxes containing fragile items, packing all valuables and important documents, and cleaning up your home before the movers arrive.
Stay on Top of the Paperwork
Moving can be a hectic time, so it’s essential to stay on top of any paperwork that might be required. This includes registration and licensing for your new state, address changes for bills and financial institutions, and insurance information for your car.
Prepare Your Pets
Moving can be stressful for you and your pets, so take steps to make them feel comfortable during the process. This might include counseling them about the upcoming move, bringing your pets to a familiar veterinarian for their final checkup, and arranging for friends or family members to care for them during the moving process.
Hire Professionals if Possible
While DIY moves can save money, they can also be much more work than most people realize. If your budget allows, consider hiring professionals to do the heavy lifting (literally) for you. This will make your move a lot less stressful—and it might even be cheaper in the long run if you manage to avoid damaging any of your belongings!
Pack Smartly and Efficiently
Packing efficiently is key to making your move go smoothly—and avoiding injuries! Make sure to load heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger ones; this will make them easier to carry and prevent them from tipping over. Wrap fragile items securely in bubble wrap or packing paper and label each box with its contents and destination room in your new home, so unpacking is a breeze. And speaking of unpacking…
Unpack as Soon as Possible…Sort Of
It may be tempting to leave all the boxes stacked in a corner until you “have time” to unpack them, but this is generally not a good idea—it will only make the process more overwhelming when you finally get around to it!
Try to unpack at least the essentials within 24 hours of arriving at your new place so you can start feeling settled in right away; then take your time unpacking the rest over the next week or two. (You can even leave some non-essentials packed up if it helps declutter your new space!)
Enlist Friends and Family Members for Help—Especially if They Live Nearby
Even if they can’t lend a hand on moving day, they can probably help with smaller tasks like packing boxes or picking up some last-minute supplies. If you get a chance to make some new acquaintances before your official move, you may also have some friends to help when you arrive.
Have Cash on Hand for Tipping Movers (if applicable)
While gratuities are never required, they are always appreciated by hard-working movers. It’s easy to forget how hard work goes into moving someone’s belongings out of their old home and into the new one. Tips are especially appreciated if they’ve had to lug your things up and down several flights of stairs.
Update Your Address with Everyone Who Needs It
Don’t forget businesses like banks, doctor’s offices, friends, and family members! You’ll know when to look for a new place to settle in. You can easily update your post office and DMV information online.
And that’s it! Just follow these ten tips from professional movers, and your relocation will be off to a great start. Making a successful move doesn’t have to be complicated—ask the professionals! Following these ten tips from real-life movers, you can rest assured that your relocation will start smoothly. What’s one tip you would add? Let us know in the comments below! Happy moving!
