Essential Moving Tips to make Moving Easier

Organizational Moving Tips

• Create a Moving Checklist
  Start with a simple timeline of tasks and make sure to break down the big jobs into smaller ones. Better yet, use our Step-by-Step Moving Checklist developed by Movers.
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1. 1. Create a Rough Floor Plan for friends, family, or movers to follow
      It will be easier for you and movers, if you hire movers, to know where everything goes if you have a floor plan and correctly label boxes accordingly.
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• Pack the Least Used Rooms & Items First
  Start with rooms and items you use least, leaving the essential items for last.
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• Keep similar items together
  When possible, keep similar items together, unless they are specific to a room or person. Garage items should be packed with other garage items. Kitchen items with other kitchen items, and so forth.
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1. Label for Visibility
   Label boxes on the sides, not the tops, so you can read them when they’re stacked! 
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3. Label for Findability
   Use unique stickers and colors to indicate the room the items are destined for AND the type of contents that are inside.
   Bonus tip: Add the stickers or colors to the floor plan you created to make it even easier.
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5. Stick the Sticky Notes
   If you plan to use colored sticky notes for color coding or notes, make sure to run some packing tape over them, because they are not sticky enough to stay affixed to the boxes!
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7. Gather Moving Supplies
   Start gathering moving and packing supplies early and keep the boxes separated by size. This keeps things moving and prevents hold ups because you ran out. Make sure to check out our full list of Suggested Moving Supplies.
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9. Use Moving “Supplies” You Already Have
   Suitcases, backpacks, sports bags, laundry bins, hampers, and old original boxes you were saving in case you had to send something back, dishes and pans, and tupperware can all be used to pack or nest other things into. Don’t forget garbage and sandwich bags, plastic wrap or press ‘n seal, and travel compression/vacuum seal bags.
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11. Use Clear Bins & Totes
    If you are buying plastic bins and totes for your move, opt for the clear ones to make what’s inside more obvious.
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Moving Tips that Reduce Effort & Frustration

1. Rolling is Easier than Carrying
   FIll suitcases with heavy items, like pantry and food stuffs or books and magazines, which can then be rolled rather than lifted.
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3. Declutter Before Packing
   Don’t waste effort to pack and unpack, or pay to move, items you no longer need or want. Donate, hold a garage sale, or post on eBay or Marketplace for less stress and maybe a bit of extra moving cash.Heck, you can even offer items to friends, family, or neighbors who are helping you move.
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5. Measure for Placement and Fit
   It doesn’t make sense to pack and bring furniture that won’t fit. Measure ahead of time to avoid costly and time wasting mistakes.
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7. Measure for Moving
   Measure doorways, hallways, and elevators at your new place to make sure that furniture can get where you want it to go.
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9. Take Photos for Setup
   Document electronics before disconnecting to reduce the time and frustration of getting entertainment, office electronics, or other items back up and going.
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11. Furniture Sliders
    If you have heavy furniture, like sleeper sofas, furniture sliders will make the job so much easier.
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13. Heavy Object Moving Straps
    Some items are heavy and bulky. Get some moving straps to help in both cases.
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15. Cut Handle Holes
    If your boxes don’t already have them, consider cutting holes for handles in them to make carrying easier. Just remember to not cut them too close or they will tear out.
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17. Hire a Sitter
    The move might be less stressful for all if the kids aren’t “helping”. Consider hiring a sitter, scheduling a play date, or maybe have the grandparents watch them.
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19. Spa day for fido
    Consider having the pets out of the house as well. It might be a good day for a grooming, or pet daycare. If not, keep them in a quiet room away from the action. Make sure they have familiar toys and bedding
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Appliance & Electronics Specific Moving Tips

• The Cost of Moving VS New
  Consider if it is time to replace appliances and the cost of moving them versus selling and buying new. This is particularly true with older appliances.
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1. Old Heavy TVs
   If your TV is old, heavy, and on its way out anyway, consider replacing it instead of the hassle or cost of moving it. Keep in mind that movers won’t move TVs or computer monitors that aren’t properly packed or protected.
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3. Prepare your Refrigerator for the Move
   Empty and defrost refrigerator 24 hours before moving
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5. Prepare your Washing Machine for Moving
   Clean and dry washing machine to prevent mold and don’t forget to secure moving bolts on front-loading washers

Specialty Moving Tips

From 3D Printing to extra geeky stuff, here are some specialty moving tips. 

1. 1. 3D Printed Hooks, hangers, and organization
      From coats to keys, guitars to skateboards, spices to silverware, starting with a fresh slate at your new place is an opportunity to up your hanging and storage game.
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• Picture Alignment Tools

• Dust Collection
  Sure, you can use the old bent sticky note trick to catch dust from drilling holes, but it’s way easier to use a 3D Printed dust collector.
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• Cable ID tags
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• Utility Knives
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1. NFC Box Tags
   You could create NFC tags and stick them to the outside of boxes to know exactly what is in each box. Note that they will be unreliable to read if you put them in the box.

Moving Life Hacks

• Tape that won’t stick
  You might rejuvenate after placing it in the microwave for approximately 10 seconds.
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• Use a Door Stop
  To reduce the chance of accidental dropping, slipping or falling, use a door stop or use rubber bands to keep the doors from latching shut.
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• Consider removing doors
  If you have large furniture and small doorways, it might be simpler to remove the doors.
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• 1. Be Ready for Movers
     Regardless if you hired movers or having others help you, clear pathways, put down floor protecting runners, offer slip on booties, protect surfaces, and point out fragile items that require special care.
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  3. Pack Snacks & A Cooler
     Keep cold drinks and snacks ready to power you and your helpers through the day. Better yet, plan for pizza delivery!
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  5. Only Help Professional Movers if Asked
     We know it’s hard to sit back and watch, but it’s important to let the experts handle what they are there to do. Don’t hover, but be present if they have questions while you let them do what they do best.
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  7. Perform your Final Walkthrough
     Check all closets, cabinets, and drawers. Look under beds and behind doors. Check attic and crawl spaces, if applicable. Make sure windows are closed and locked.
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  9. Have Cash for Tips
     If your hired movers have taken care with your items and done a good job, by all means, feel free to tip them. It’s not required, but it’ll be very appreciated.

   

  Moving In Day Specific Tips

  1. 1. Have Common Move In Hardware on Hand
        Felt Pads, Picture Hooks, Nails, Zip ties, and Duct tape
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  • Inspect Before Unpacking
    If you’ve hired movers, check all boxes against your inventory, note any damage before movers leave
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  • Test utilities to ensure everything works
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  • Locate Emergency Items
    Find circuit breakers and water shut-offs.Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Identify where fire extinguishers are located.
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  1. Unpack Strategically
     Start with kitchen and bathroom essentials, then set up beds for that first night’s sleep. The rest you can take your time with.

  The First Week

  1. Meet Your Neighbors
     Introduce yourself when settling in. They can be great resources for local information and building community makes a new place feel like home.
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  3. Take a Drive or Walk
     While traffic may be different at the time you choose, consider a drive to familiarize yourself with new directions and time to work and the stores.