Best Moving Tips

Packing and moving tips can be incredibly helpful and reduce the amount of stress you experience come moving day. Because really, who actually enjoys moving? 

These tips can save you time, even when they take a little bit of extra preparation. For example, extensively labeling all of your boxes may seem like a hassle, but you will thank yourself when you get to the unboxing part of your new home. 

The Top 5 Moving Tips

Here are the top five tips for moving out. By following these tips, you can reduce the amount of stress you experience on move day and make sure you aren’t forgetting anything important. 

1. Use This as an Opportunity to Get Rid of Unnecessary Belongings

The first moving tip that you should know involves the amount of stuff you intend to move to your new home. Do you really need everything? 

Most people have at least some hoarding tendencies, especially when you’ve lived in one place for a long time. Take this time to go through your belongings before you move. Donate, recycle or throw away anything that you do not want, need or use. 

Depending on the donation sites in your area, you may even be able to schedule a donation pickup on the same day that you intend to move (or a day close to that date). 

2. Schedule Utility Dates in Advance

This is a commonly overlooked moving tip. When you move out, you must schedule for your utilities to be shut off. If you do not, you will continue to be billed, and you will be responsible for those bills, even if you had moved and forgotten to tell the utility company. 

When scheduling a shut off with the utility, be sure to schedule for utilities to be turned on at your new place. If the utility companies are different, then you will need to make a second phone call.

3. Determine if You Will Use a Moving Company and Book Early

Moving companies can make moving a breeze. Should you choose to book movers, be sure to get quotes from multiple companies within your area and book early. Booking in advance can ensure their availability and lock in any price or promotion that the company may be advertising.  

4. Hydrate

Moving is hard work. Be sure to have water on hand and stay hydrated, especially if you are moving in a warmer climate or during periods of high humidity. 

5. Triple Check Your Cabinets, Drawers and Closets

Before you leave your old apartment or house — triple check that you have everything. Check your drawers, cabinets, and closets in every room of your home. An item left behind could be lost forever. 

Top 5 Packing Tips for Moving

Packing tips for moving can reduce the amount of time it takes you to unpack and make moving smoother. Consider these five packing tips. 

1. Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Pack

One of the worst things you can do is try to rush packing. Packing can take a significant amount of time, especially if you have a lot of belongings or a good number of fragile items. By packing as far in advance as possible, you won’t have to worry about failing to get everything packed in time. 

2. Use the Correct Sized Boxes

Use the correct sized boxes for your belongings. Heavy items should go in smaller boxes and light, but large items should be placed in large boxes. If you fill a large box with several heavy items, you’re going to make it difficult, if not impossible, to lift. 

3. Avoid Mixing Items from Different Rooms

Another great packing tip for moving is to avoid mixing items from different rooms into your boxes. This practice will make it far easier for you to unpack once the time comes. 

4. Label Everything 

Each box that you pack should be labeled with the room it needs to go into. Additionally, the box should be labeled with a small description of the contents of the box. 

5. Heavy Items at the Bottom

When packing, always be sure to keep heavier items at the bottom of the box and put lighter items on top of that. This can prevent your belongings from becoming broken. 

Hiring Moving Companies vs Moving Alone

Hiring a moving company can substantially decrease the amount of time you will spend on your move. It also shifts the backbreaking work to the professionals. 

For most movers, hiring a company versus moving alone comes down to one prominent factor: cost. Hiring a company can quickly become expensive, especially if you are moving to a different city, state, or country. However, if you’re moving a short distance, hiring a company may not be as expensive as you might think. 

Always review multiple moving companies within your area and ask the right questions to make sure you are getting the services that you need for a price you can afford.