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6 simple steps to prepare for a stress-free move
Moving is almost always hectic, but these six tips can help.
Moving from one house or apartment to another is rarely fun. A seemingly endless string of decisions must be made, not to mention the manual labor involved in packing and transporting your belongings. With everything involved, it can be easy to overlook some things that can add stress to the process.
Thankfully, you can make things easier by going into a move with a solid plan. We spoke with moving experts to get the lowdown on what to consider when preparing for a move, as well as some handy tips on avoiding commonly overlooked aspects of a move.
6 must-do tasks to get ready for your upcoming move
1) Decide if you're using a moving company
One of the first things you should do is decide whether you want to use a moving company or to handle things yourself. This is important to determine early because you'll want to book a moving company as far in advance as possible. It'll also impact your timeline if you plan to pack and move everything yourself.
"You should find and hire a moving company at least two months before your move date, or as far in advance as possible," said Angie Hicks, co-founder of local service review site Angi.
You should also consider busy periods when planning your move date, as they can affect costs and availability. The summer months are typically the busiest for moving companies, so you'll want to book even earlier, Hicks said. You may also have an easier time booking your preferred date if you plan your move for the middle of the week when movers aren't as busy.
It's not necessary to have every detail locked down before booking a moving company, according to Nancy Irvine, president of the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM). "[D]on’t leave it until the last minute to book a mover because you are looking for a home or you aren’t sure what you are taking," Irvine told Yahoo Local. "We are used to last-minute changes and will adjust accordingly."
2) Investigate moving companies in your area
Finding a reputable moving company in your area can be difficult. Google, Yelp, and Angi reviews can go a long way to narrowing down your list, but they only tell part of the story. There are some common red flags to look out for, however.
"If the price estimate seems too good to be true, it probably is," Angi's Hicks told us. She recommends collecting several estimates from different companies before picking one. If possible, get an in-person estimate as well, which will help give a better picture of any unique aspects of your move and their costs, they said.
The estimate process can tell you a lot about a moving company. "[If] the company does not provide a written estimate or says they will determine the cost after loading," that's a red flag according to Gayla Dixon, a residential sales manager at United Van Lines. Dixon also recommends avoiding companies that only offer an estimate over the phone or online.
Here are four more warning signs to watch out for when evaluating moving companies, according to Dixon:
They demand cash or a large deposit before your move
They ask you to sign blank documents
They have no local address and no information about their registration or insurance
They don't provide a copy of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet and "Ready to Move" brochure, as required by federal regulations
Irvine and Dixon recommend checking whether the companies you're considering are accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), as well. Note that companies have to pay to be BBB accredited, so it's not necessarily a negative if they aren't. However, accreditation will provide you with a rating for their business, along with a list of any complaints registered with the BBB and whether the company has resolved them.
Recommended reading from Yahoo: Everything you need to know about BBB accreditation
Above all, seek out a company that communicates consistently about your move. "Moving is a stressful time, so it’s important to choose dependable movers who make you feel comfortable and taken care of," Hicks said. If the vibes feel off, you can always cancel your move and go with another company (and be sure to check if your deposit is refundable).
If you live in or around a major city, you can check out Yahoo Local's guides to the best movers in your area for a list of vetted companies.
3) Plan how you'll pack
If you're using a moving company, you'll often have the option to have them pack your belongings. This can add a significant expense to your total cost, however, so you may want to do the packing yourself. If that's the case, you'll want to go into packing with a strategy.
"Generally, you should start by packing items that you don’t use often, like holiday decorations, guest room items, books, decor, and items in storage," Hicks said. Items you use more frequently, like kitchen appliances and linens, can be packed closer to your move date.
Recommended reading from Yahoo: Where to get free moving boxes
Proper labeling and organization can go a long way when packing. Irvine suggests proper labeling to make it easy to identify which boxes should go in your truck last and be unpacked first. "I used to always mark my boxes A, B, C so that I knew the order in which to unpack," she said.
Dixon suggests having a "first-night moving kit" ready to go for your first days at your new home. "The purpose of the first-night boxes is to have what they need where they can easily get to it, when they need it, and they can last for the first night or weeks at their new place," she said. You'll want to include any personal items, important documents, linens, and cleaning supplies you might need access to right away.
4) Price packing materials
An oft-overlooked aspect of moving is the cost of packing materials, according to Dixon. "While [you] may find some supplies for free, budgeting for the purchase of materials ensures a smooth packing process," she said.
Consider the cost of things like bubble wrap, tape, and boxes. While they're all relatively cheap individually, they can add up when you buy enough for an entire home. You can simplify this process by starting with moving kits, which are collections of boxes and packing materials that retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's sell based on the size of your home.
If you're using the packing service provided by your moving company, you still need to account for material costs. The companies will charge you for the materials they use when packing, including the total number of boxes, bubble wrap, and any specialty boxes needed. Several companies we spoke to mentioned they sell these materials at cost, however, so they could be cheaper than buying at a retailer.
5) Take stock of special or difficult items you need to move
Whether move yourself or hire a company, it's worth considering any special items you're taking with you. This includes anything from antiques to pianos and pool tables. For many movers, you may have to pay extra to package and handle such items.
There are also things that movers cannot move. "Basically, if it will leak or blow up the truck, it won’t be moved," Irvine told us. That includes things like aerosol cans, ammunition, fire extinguishers, and perishable food, she said.
6) Take time to declutter
Moving is a great time to declutter and downsize. Not only does it cut down on what you have to unpack, you can free up valuable space in your truck and save some money.
Irvine recommends setting aside a day or two per room to give yourself time to declutter, prioritizing getting rid of items you haven't used in two years or more. "Other items around the house like out-of-style clothes and old sporting equipment are going to be easy to get rid of," she added. "Some may not be as easy to let go."
Recommended reading from Yahoo: Essential downsizing & decluttering tips for a hassle-free move
Dixon suggests making four piles in each room: keep, sell, donate, and trash. This can also be a great time to shred documents. "Many times, banks or office stores will offer this service to the community," she added.
Proper planning goes a long way
The common theme here is to plan as best you can. Get started several months before your move, setting target dates for each task. With proper preparation, you can take a lot of stress out of your move.
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