Tips and Advice on Moving

No worries, we've got tips and advice to get you through even the toughest of moves. There are lots of things to consider when moving – packing, transport options, switching utilities, changing addresses and travel planning – just to name a few. Be in the know with various moving tips that will keep your move organized, cost efficient and situation-free.

Get tasks and tips emailed to you as you approach your move date and use our interactive move planner and checklist to keep you on schedule. Locate the best local and national service providers for your move in your directory.

Here are some tips sure to help with any move:

Know the options available to you as you plan your move. Remember to consider weight and distance, because different services can be more cost-effective depending on these two factors. Decide on a price and the amount of time and effort you will be able to give when considering the following options.

Full Service – Full service moving companies can cover everything from packing, loading, driving and unpacking at your new home. You have all the resources of a full service company at your disposal and will be free from the heaving and hauling of your items. See our page on FAQs about hiring a moving company for more tips.

You Load They Drive – These companies include portable storage, mobile storage, and other similar services. It's self explanatory – the company will drop off a container (or containers) at your house, you load it with your belongings, and they will come back and pick it up to store or deliver to your new location.

Labor Only – There are labor-only services as well which give you the ability to hire labor for packing and loading your truck, container or trailer. This can be a good option if you have fair-weather friends or are just short some hands on moving day.

Do-It-Yourself – For the pure individualist, you can always rent a truck or trailer, pack, load, and drive yourself. Just remember that this option may not be the most cost efficient for long-distance moves.

Packing can be a daunting task , but sticking to a plan and staying organized will make this part of your move easy as cake. Here are some tips on packing:

Start Early – Obvious, but extremely important. Starting early gives you time to strategically plan out your packing over weeks or months and break it down in to manageable pieces. Even if you do have the energy to cram all the packing in to the few days before the move, you will avoid damage, unnecessary costs and unwanted surprises by starting early.

Reduce – Start out by going through your house and deciding which items you need to keep and which you can part with. Don't be easy on yourself – getting rid of things you really don't need or use will save you money and time during your move.

One Room at a Time – Plan out which rooms you will pack first. Once you start packing a room, try not to move on until you are completely finished with that room.

See our page on packing tips for more tips on packing your house with ease.

Having a smooth move is not just about hiring the right mover and having your things packed on schedule. Here are some other tips to keep your move on track:

Moving Season – The busiest time for moving companies is usually between May and September. During the peak of the moving season, it can be difficult to make reservations for quality providers of any type, so keep this in mind. If you have the choice, try avoid moving in the summer to make things easier.

Move on a weekday – If possible, try to move on a weekday, when banks, government agencies, and utility companies will be open.

Decide on a Budget – Avoid the post-move shock of how much the move ended up costing by setting up a budget beforehand, so you know how much you are willing to spend. This will help you decide on services you are willing to pay for and those you can live without.



Get all of the tips found here and more in our comprehensive move guide with interactive planner and customized checklist by creating a free One Simple Move™ account – in less than thirty seconds!