Moving often results in having your valuables and belongings in several places at once, including your new home, old home, or multiple vehicles. You also have several people that are in and out of your home, so it remains imperative to keep your home and belongings secure during a move.
This will help to ensure that nothing gets stolen, so you can focus on setting into your new home.
MAINTAIN YOUR OLD PROPERTY.
Vacant homes are attractive to criminals. If you move out of your old home while it is still on the market, make sure to maintain the property. Keep up with landscaping until the home is sold. This will prevent burglars from trespassing. The key is to make the home look like it is still occupied.
In addition, ask old neighbors to keep an eye on your home. If they notice any suspicious activity, they can alert law enforcement for you.
KEEP YOUR VALUABLES WITH YOU.
Important documents, expensive jewelry, and other important items should always be kept with you during the moving process. This will ensure that they do not end up in the wrong hands or go missing.
Even if you keep your belongings in a safe, make sure the safe stays with you at all times. Portable safes can easily be stolen.
LABEL ROOMS NOT ITEMS.
You may not need to have electronics or fine china in your possession while moving. Label cardboard boxes with what room they are going to rather than what is in it. This will prevent temptation of theft if people don’t know what is inside.
Keep an inventory list of all of your items so you can easily check if anything is missing once you are in your new home.
KEEP DOORS LOCKED.
Only keep a couple of doors open at a time during the moving process. You want to be able to control who is entering your new and old home and when. Any doors that aren’t being used should be left locked to prevent break-ins or theft.
Once you are moved into your new home, change the exterior locks. This will prevent anyone who had access to the home from getting in.
INSTALL A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM.
Having a security system before you move in will prevent theft and intruders during the moving process. Many home security companies have moving policies that allow you to move your home security system or get a new one in your new residence for little to no cost. Consult with your home security company prior to your move so you know your options.
Even if you did not have a home security system before, it is the best way to protect you and your family. Once you are settled in, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your home is already protected.
The moving process is challenging and stressful, but with these tips, you can feel comfortable knowing that your belongings and new home are safe and secure.
We will assist you in every stage of the relocation:
You get an estimation of project complexity and a detailed plan adjusted to your requests.
All your assembled furniture that cannot be transported will be disassembled and loaded into the truck.
Every fragile item will be wrapped, taped and carefully placed in the truck.
At the destination point (your new location or our storage facility) we unload and reassemble everything as well as help with unpacking.
Additional local moving services
“California Movers” provides all moving services you need to relocate without delays and worries. Besides simple loading and transportation, we also deal with:
Furniture disassembling and reassembling;
Packaging: wrapping and tapping as well as boxing;
Additional stops anywhere you need to drop or pick up something;
Evaluation of future costs: a detailed plan of relocation.
Our philosophy
We carefully watch our image and try to satisfy all moving needs of our customers. Our local movers follow some principles of work performance, which help us to maintain our great recognition. They include:
Friendly attitude towards the customers. We make you feel comfortable during moving and forget about daunting relocation challenges. That is the reason why one of our aims is to act as if our local movers are your friends who give you a hand with good moving advice and professional skills.
Transparency of business. Our moving local service never includes any hidden fees and we always prove it to you in the expense report.
Accurate planning. Hoping for the best outcome is not our approach. We are all about planning and scheduling. We accurately reckon a volume of work and divide it into stages so the work is easier to manage.
Careful treatment of customer’s property. We treat your property as if it is ours, accurately packaging it and loading into the truck. Then we transport it avoiding rough roads so all items are brought to the final point as they were before packing.
“California Movers Local & Long Distance Moving Company” has all instruments to supply high-quality moving local service in San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles: great trained staff, commitment to the moving business, attainment of relocation inside outs, friendly attitude.
Order free individual quote for your project and enjoy all our advantages instead of concerning about minor things!
Not at all! Even moving 5 miles away from your old house can be stressful. This is a real challenge for your nerves if you do it all by yourself.
But the process can pass smoothly and fast if it’s performed by an expert team. No worries about packing, delivery and property safety! We take it all upon ourselves.
Staff of “California Movers” consists of experienced local movers who can promptly relocate all your belongings within one city or county. They know exactly how to move your belongings from one point to another without delays, accidents and difficulties. The company deals with every project carefully and elaborately. We think over each detail of relocation plan starting from packing and organizing to cargo handling at the new place.
Back in June I laid out the 20 questions you should ask yourself before you agree to relocate for a job. It’s a big decision that demands a lot of consideration—but as it turns out, that might be the easy part.
“The move itself could be one of the most stressful changes in life,” says Marjie Terry, VP of business development and client service at Great on the Job. “Even if you’re super excited about the new position or company, moving is still complicated.”
Ted Stimpson, president and CEO of MyMove.com, agrees. He says: “As with any move, relocating for a job can be a complicated and stressful process. But the good news is that you’ve been recognized as a valuable asset to your new company or office, and employers are typically more than willing to help make your transition a smooth one.” Plan ahead for your move, and utilize any relocation packages offered by your employer, he says. “And if things start to get stressful, remember that the reason for your move is a positive and exciting one.”
So, what exactly makes relocating so complicated? Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, star of MTV’s Hired! and author of Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad, says, among other things, the process requires you to find a new place to call home, become acquainted with your new environment, master a new job, and build a new support network—all at the same time. “A lot of hard work will go into being successful at all of these things, but hopefully you find out that it’s everything you’ve wanted.”
Stimpson says today’s real estate market doesn’t make it any easier. “Selling a house is one of the biggest complications that relocating homeowners face,” he says. “Paying two mortgages is daunting—and often not feasible—which leaves many in the challenging position of selling their current home while securing housing in their new city of employment.”
Another challenge faced by two-income families: finding employment for the relocating employee’s spouse or partner, he adds. And if you have children, you’ll probably worry about their transition to the new environment, as well.
“It’s extremely difficult to be 100% focused on your new job while dealing with all of the logistics of the move,” Terry says. “You want to make great impressions on your new colleagues but everything is new and unfamiliar, so it takes working double time in the beginning to make it all work.”
So, if you want to have a successful transition, here’s what you’ll need to do:
Stay organized. Much of moving related stress comes from managing all of the logistics, like leaving your current home, and finding a new one, Terry says. “Try to be very organized. Keep to-do lists for both your departure and arrival locations so that you can stay on top of everything.”
Know what’s available to you. Many companies offer a variety of relocation services and most are flexible in what they provide, Kahn says. Make sure you take the time to learn what’s available to you—and use it. For example, some companies will pay for things like house hunting trips, transportation of your cars, assistance in selling or buying your home, help figuring out how to rent out a property, and event organizers to settle you into your new home. They might also be able to help your spouse with job placement or employment leads in your new city, Stimpson adds.
If your employer doesn’t typically offer relocation assistance, ask for it. If you learn that assistance isn’t typically given, don’t be afraid to negotiate, Stimpson says. Start by researching moving costs (truck rentals, quotes from professional movers, transportation expenses, temporary housing, storage, etc.) so that you can present your employer with a detailed estimate of how much your relocation is expected to cost you. “Having this supporting information is crucial to the success of your request,” he says. Also ask about preferred providers when it comes to relocation companies and real estate agents. Reimbursement for your relocation may be contingent upon the usage of designated professionals with whom your employer has established relationships.
Take time to get to know your new environment before you move. If you have the luxury of taking some time to explore your new area before arriving, do so, Terry says. “Explore the neighborhoods in the area to make sure that you find the best suited one for your lifestyle,” she says.
If you’re not able to visit the new city before you move, take the time talk to people that live there or used to live there, and “get as much perspective as you can on what you’re walking into,” Kahn says.
You should also read the local news or any local blogs to understand the vibe and learn what’s going in your new town, Terry adds.
Know the cost of living in the new city. There are significant differences in cost of living among US cities and states, Stimpson says. “Typically, these differences will be compensated for in your salary, but it’s still important to check.” Do the research and plan accordingly.
Don’t make any long-term commitments. “Renting at first is a great way to settle into a new city without making a commitment to a neighborhood you might end up not liking,” Terry says.
Kahn agrees. He says a common mistake many people make when relocating for a job is to buy a home or commit to a long-term lease immediately, and later find that they don’t like the neighborhood, or the job.
Stimpson says to ask about temporary corporate housing. “Some companies offer apartments or condos for a fixed length of time to allow relocating employees to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings and make an informed housing decision.”
Find out if any of your moving expenses are tax-deductible. Even if your new employer doesn’t offer any financial assistance for your relocation, you might be eligible for partial reimbursement come tax time, which can definitely ease some of your financial stress, Stimpson says. (See IRS Tax Topic 455 for details on which expenses qualify.) “Generally, the moving tax deductions requirements are: the move must be because you started a new job; your new home must be at least 50 miles from your old home and your old job. (This is to prevent folks from simply moving across the street every time they changed jobs in a design to take advantage of the moving tax deduction.); and you must work full time for at least 39 weeks during the last 52 following your move. Self-employed movers need to work at least 78 weeks over the last 2 years to qualify.”
Build a social support network. “Use your friends to network to make new friends in the same way that you would try to network for a job,” Kahn says. Use online services like MeetUp to find others in the area that have similar interests or hobbies. Your new company may also offer clubs and interest groups to meet new people. The faster you can build a support network, the more at home you will feel and the happier you will be with your decision to move, he says.
“Establishing a social network in your new town is going to make you feel more grounded and happy, which will allow you to perform better in your new job,” Terry adds.
Cabin life calling your name? Answer these four questions and you'll be well on your way!
When the leaves turn colors and the mornings glitter with frost, a cabin in the woods can be a fairy-tale retreat — a place to curl up with a good book or quickly access hiking or skiing hot spots.
While there are plenty of cabins you can rent for a weekend, owning one provides the flexibility to escape when the weather or mood is right. Let’s break down the four big questions to ask yourself before making an offer on your cozy hideaway.
What kind of cabin do you want?
The word “cabin” can refer to a variety of structures. Most people think of a small wooden house in a remote location, but that’s not always the case — you have options, and they’re worth exploring.
Log cabins This traditional type is just begging to be enjoyed with hot cocoa and a crackling fire. When you’re considering a cabin made of logs, the wood type, log shape and corner styles are the three main ingredients of style.
Spruce logs are popular for their resistance to decay, and Scandinavian pine is often chosen for its density and tight grain.
A-frame cabins With a simple, iconic design, these triangular charmers can accommodate a lofted sleeping area or vaulted ceilings, and the roof’s steep slant prevents snow or leaf buildup.
Thanks to the obsession with minimalism and tiny living, A-frames are experiencing a comeback. They’re hip and affordable — this tiny A-frame cost only $700 to construct, using mostly found materials. Even Urban Outfitters offers instructions on how to build your own.
Mobile cabins If you’re looking for mobility, a tiny cabin can be built on wheels for towing capability.
Gastineau Log Homes has a Log Cabins 2 Go line, featuring 400-square-foot structures that are factory-made and ready to roll on trailers. An even tinier option — the Stanley model from Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses, built on an 8-foot-by-2-foot trailer with a foldable front porch.
Prefabricated and modular cabins Many companies offer catalogs of cost-effective cabin designs to choose from. The designs are typically customizable but simple enough to be factory-made and then transported to your site.
Where do you want to vacation?
Do you want to be on a lake or a river? Far from the summer crowds or near a bustling mountain town? To find your ideal spot, keep these three things in mind.
Travel time, family time Consider how often you’d like to use your cabin and how far you’re willing to travel to do so. Factor in holiday traffic — will you make it there for a three-day weekend without wasting most of your time on the road?
And since vacation homes are often the place for families to gather, pick a location that’s convenient for everyone — and one that offers activities all family members can enjoy.
Scenery Cabins afford an opportunity to embrace the outdoors, so the setting is important. The window and porch views are going to play a prominent role in watching leaves or snow fall outside, so make sure you like what you see.
If you’re building your cabin, you’ll want to plan your design and placement in harmony with the surrounding landscape. Log cabins are meant to look like they’re a part of nature — not disrupt it.
Maintenance Remember that you won’t always be present to shovel the driveway or mow the lawn. If offseason maintenance is a concern, make sure there’s someone you can hire to look after your property when you’re not there.
How much cabin can you afford?
Cabins might seem like a luxury, but with careful budgeting and lifestyle adjustments, you’ll find they can be an affordable way to acquire property and vacation time.
Budgeting for a cabin is just like budgeting for a home. The price tags vary widely, based on location, design, amenities and quality.
Consider how much value you’ll get for your buck. If you’re going to use it frequently, you won’t need to rent vacation homes, which could save you money in the long run. And if you’re going to rent it out, it could even make you money.
But if your cabin could potentially sit there unused, collecting maintenance to-do’s that you aren’t around to complete, it can be a major financial drain.
Speak with a financial advisor, and take plenty of time to assess pricing and location options before deciding if a second home is indeed within your budget.
How do you narrow your search?
It’s a little more of an art than a science, but there are a few tricks you can try to yield more relevant search results.
Start with location Once you land on a location, search for it on the Zillow website or mobile app. If you’re looking in a remote area outside city limits, try searching in the county or ZIP code.
You can also draw your own search boundaries on the map. If you’re getting fewer results than you’d like, try drawing a circle that’s bigger than the area you’re looking in. That way, you’ll see nearby listings, too.
Narrow with filters From here, it’s all about filters. Set your filters to show for-sale homes within your price range.
If your range is up to $300,000, try entering $350,000 to see homes where you might be able to negotiate the price. Consider Make Me Move listings, too, as these homeowners are motivated to sell even though they haven’t yet pulled the trigger.
You can also set the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, but keep your options open when you’re getting started. Under Home Type, consider checking Lots/Land. Some properties are categorized this way even though they have small structures on the property. And if you’re considering building your own cabin, this will be an especially good option for you.
Explore keywords If you’re not seeing what you’re after, or if you’re getting pages upon pages of results, try playing around with Keywords under More. Try one keyword or phrase per search so you don’t narrow your search results too much.
Keep in mind that Zillow scans the entire listing for your keywords, so if you search “schools,” you’ll see tons of listings because they all include nearby schools.
Most often, the keywords are pulled from the listing descriptions that real estate agents wrote to upsell the house. Think like they would — if you were selling a cabin in your locale, what features would you highlight?
Here are a few keywords to get you started: cabin, A-frame, getaway, cozy, woods, lakefront, river and rustic.
The holiday season is both an exciting and super busy time of year. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, there are tons of parties, events, activities and more that is sure to keep you busy. Another way that this season can be even busier is if you have to move during this time. While it’s not an ideal time for a move, there are certain aspects of moving –whether due to a new job, or a recent home purchase, –where you don’t have a choice on the time of year for your move. If you happen to be moving right around the time of Thanksgiving, you’ll want to figure out your plan for this holiday before you actually move. If hosting Thanksgiving in your new home or apartment is important to you and your family, you’ll need to be organized, pack your items separately and figure out your plan for the dinner, even if it’s on a smaller scale than what your family is used to. Read on for some practical pre and post moving tips that can help you host Thanksgiving dinner after your new move.
#1 Pack what you will need:
If you know that you are going to be moving right around Thanksgiving, make sure that you pack all of your kitchen items together. This can include your plates, serving platters, gravy boat, sharp knives, forks, spoons, bowls, cups, wine glasses, table clothes, to name a few items. If you have kids, you might also want to have some small toys like cards, board games and books packed together for them, so that they have things to do during Thanksgiving and right after your move. You’ll also want to make sure that your fragile kitchen items are properly wrapped in packing paper and bubble wrap to avoid any breakage. Be sure to also clearly label and mark your boxes that states “items for Thanksgiving.” This will make it easy to clearly communicate to your movers that these items should be treated with care and where they should be placed in your new home or apartment during the unloading process.
#2 Make sure your table is put together:
Your movers will most likely disassemble and assemble all of your furniture. Double check, before they leave, that your kitchen or dining table is assembled and put together for your upcoming Thanksgiving meal.
#3 Unpack your kitchen items:
While you might be eager to unpack everything to get your kitchen in order, try to focus on only what you need for your Thanksgiving dinner. If this is too much of a hassle, you can opt to use paper items so that you tackle your unpacking after Thanksgiving.
#4 Figure out your menu:
You have a few options for your Thanksgiving meal after your move. You can opt to cook yourself, have a potluck Thanksgiving dinner with family or friends, order from a local restaurant, or even go out to eat. The most important thing is to be realistic about what you can handle, which is largely dependent, on your move in date. You’ll also (likely) be very tired from your move, where making a full Thanksgiving dinner might be the last thing that you want to do. And that’s ok! Moving during this time means that you also have to be flexible as you adjust to life in your new home. If you have kids, they might be expecting certain traditions where opting for a potluck at your home or bringing food in can be a nice compromise as you enjoy the holiday together without making things too complicated. And if that feels too daunting, consider going out to dinner. Many restaurants serve a traditional Thanksgiving menu where you can enjoy the best of this holiday, without having to cook. If you know that you are going that route, make sure that you reserve a few weeks in advance.
#5 Enjoy the holiday:
Whatever you decide to do on Thanksgiving, it’s important to relax and settle in as much as possible. There will be so much to do after Thanksgiving where taking a few days ‘off’ before the unpacking, settling in and decorating is a welcome way to decompress, enjoy some great food and chill out with your family or friends.
Moving is hectic all on its own. Adding a move during the holidays into the mix adds a new level of planning and organizing that you have to deal with. If you think you would like to have Thanksgiving in your new home, you’ll also want to make sure that you have a plan in place before and after your move. We hope that these tips helps to make this time easier as you settle in and enjoy your first Thanksgiving in your new home!
The process of finding a good mover can seem daunting. But doing a little research is worth it. By shopping around, you can save money (sometimes more than $1,000) and avoid scams. Here are 12 steps to help you through the process.
1. Get recommendations. Ask friends, coworkers, and local real estate agents. Look in the phone book for moving companies that have offices near your home. You’re going to want to get an in-person estimate of how much your move will cost. Don’t rely on any estimate that comes from someone who hasn’t looked in every one of your closets. Don’t assume that big-name companies are best. Do not get estimates through websites that offer to “find you a mover.” Find the mover yourself and avoid the numerous scams associated with some of these sites. And don’t use household-goods brokerage services that find a moving company for you―they are not regulated by the laws that movers must follow.
2. Do an initial screening. When you have a list of recommended movers, go online to do a quick background check (you can do a more thorough check later). Call or go to the website of the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). You also can call or e-mail the American Moving and Storage Association (moving.org, 703-683-7410, info@moving.org) to see if a moving company is a member, which means it has agreed to abide by the organization’s published tariffs and to participate in its arbitration program. AMSA membership is voluntary. As long as a moving company checks out in all other ways, the fact that it is not a member shouldn’t rule it out.
Be sure to check the consumer-advocacy sites movingscam.com. Each of these has a blacklist of companies with a history of consumer complaints, as well as tips and general information about the moving industry. You can also do a search using the company name at Rip-off Report (ripoffreport.com).
3. You should end up with at least three or four companies to call for an in-home estimate. If you’re moving to another state, ask if the company will give you a written binding estimate or, even better, a binding not-to-exceed estimate. Both types of estimates put a guaranteed cap on what you will pay for your move. While nonbinding estimates are legal (as long as they’re given free), as the U.S. Department of Transportation moving guide warns, “You should expect the final cost to be more than the estimate.” And while interstate movers are allowed to charge you for binding estimates, most will offer them free. Estimates for interstate moves will be based on the weight of the items you’re moving and the distance of the move. For moves within the same state, rules about estimates vary: Some states (such as California) require that movers give a written and signed binding estimate; others (like Illinois) forbid them to. Either way, estimates for these movers are based on the amount of time the move will take.
Want a timeline to keep the hiring process on track? See the Moving Checklist.
4. When an estimator comes to your home, show him everything you want to have moved―in the closets, the backyard, the basement, the attic. If on your moving day the foreman believes you have significantly more stuff than was calculated in your estimate, he can “challenge” the original estimate (before everything is on the truck, not after). He can’t force you to pay a higher amount, but he doesn’t have to move your stuff for the original amount, either. And at that point you probably don’t have a lot of other options. Also, make sure the estimator knows about any conditions at your new home that might complicate the move, such as stairs, elevators, or a significant distance from the curb to the closest door. While the estimator is at your home, get as much information as you can about the company. Make sure it will be moving you itself, not contracting the job out to another mover. Find out how long the company has been in business. (You want one that’s been around a few years at least, and ideally 10 or more.) By the time the estimator leaves, you should have collected all of the following:
The company’s full name and any other names under which it does business.
The company’s address, phone numbers, and e-mail and website addresses.
Names and contact information for the company’s references.
USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) and MC (motor carrier) license numbers.
The U.S. Department of Transportation booklet called “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” Federal law requires any interstate mover to provide you with this guide, which is the official rule book of the interstate moving industry. (You can download a copy at fmcsa.dot.gov.) For in-state moves, movers are regulated by the state’s department of transportation or its public utilities or commerce commission. Some states publish their own moving-guide pamphlets.
5. Review the estimate. The estimate may be a combined document that, when signed by you and the moving-company representative, serves as your order for service and bill of lading, too. These, along with the inventory list created when your goods are loaded, are the basic documents any mover should provide you with. Make sure you see the words “written binding estimate” up top, as well as the mover’s signature with a date at the bottom. For an interstate move, the estimate should clearly describe the type and quantity of goods you’re shipping, the distance to your new home, when your things will be picked up and delivered, and any additional services (such as packing) and supplies the moving company is providing. If you want to purchase additional insurance from your mover (above the standard 60 cents a pound that the mover’s insurance covers), make sure you understand the costs and details of that coverage. For an in-state move, for which you can’t get a binding estimate, you should still get a written estimate that sets out the hourly rates and any additional costs you may incur (for supplies, tolls, driving time to and from the mover’s facilities). If you’re not sure about anything in the estimate, call and ask. And have the company send you a revised written estimate if necessary―don’t just take someone’s word for anything.
6. As you get estimates, collect them in a brightly colored (that is, hard-to-lose) moving folder. Keep this folder open in plain sight as later estimators come in. This shows them you’re doing your homework, which encourages them to be honest and perhaps give you a more competitive quote.
7. When you’ve gotten all your estimates in, compare the bids. Be wary of any company that comes in much lower than the others. Look at high bids to see where the extra costs are coming from. Call and ask questions if you don’t understand anything. If you have several reasonable-sounding bids from reputable companies, don’t be afraid to negotiate to get the best possible rate. Especially in a market where there’s lots of competition, most movers will work with you on pricing.
8. Now check out the contenders in more detail. Take the information you’ve gathered and get back online. First, make sure they’re incorporated in your state―and confirm how long they’ve been in business―by checking your secretary of state’s office. Some have searchable databases of businesses online; if not, call the number in the government pages of the phone book.
9. Next, make sure your moving company has the license and insurance it needs to move you legally. (Yes, there are movers who solicit business without the legal authority to do so.) Go to safersys.org, the website of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and enter the company’s USDOT number and click on “Search” (you can also search by name or MC number). If you have an accurate DOT number, you’ll be shown a screen with lots of information on the company. Here’s what to look for:
The company’s name, address, and phone numbers. Are they the same ones the company gave you?
The “Out of Service” field, at the upper left of the form, should say “No.”
The fields labeled “Power Units” and “Drivers” tell you how many trucks and drivers the company has. A company that claims to do 100 moves a month but has only two trucks deserves skeptical treatment.
Under “Operation Classification,” there should be an X next to “Auth. for Hire.”
Under “Carrier Operation,” if you are moving out of state, there should be an X next to “Interstate.”
Under “Cargo Carried,” there should be an X next to “Household Goods.”
Farther down, in the “Inspections/Crashes” section, you should be concerned if the company’s average is much higher than the national average shown. In the “Safety Rating” section, if there has been a review, the results should be “Satisfactory.”
At the bottom of the page, click on the “FMCSA Licensing & Insurance site” link. On the next page, click on either the “HTML” or the “Report” button under “View Details” to get to the “Motor Carrier Details” page. Under the column “Authority Type,” there are three listings: “Common,” “Contract,” and “Broker.” The “Authority Status” column to the right tells you if the company’s authority is active. At least “Common” should be listed as active, with “No” under “Application Pending.”
In the next table down, there should be a “Yes” under “Household Goods.”
The bottom table contains insurance information. A moving company is required to have both bodily-injury and property-damage (BIPD) insurance ($750,000 minimum) and cargo insurance filed. Under the heading “Insurance on File,” BIPD should be at least $750,000, and “Cargo” should say “Yes.”
You can also call the FMCSA to get information on the status of a company’s licensing (202-366-9805) and insurance (202-385-2423).
10. Finally, call the FMCSA’s Safety Violation and Consumer Complaints hotline at 888-368-7238 (open 24/7) and ask about complaints against your moving company. And, if possible, go to the company’s address and check out the facilities in person.
11. Now you can select a mover. You should feel confident about any company you’ve run through the checks above. Confirm the dates and details of your move, and make sure you get a signed order for service and a bill of lading.
12. On moving day, get a written copy of the mover’s inventory list, provide the movers with specific directions for getting to your new home, and make sure you have a number where you can reach the movers throughout the move.
Congrats on your new home! Now you just have to figure out how you’re going to pack and move everything without breaking the bank, your fragile lamp, or your back. Good thing we put together this list of 41 easy moving and packing tips that will make your move dead simple.
How do we know these tips will make your move dead simple?
We asked expert movers, packers, and professional organizers to share their best tips.
Okay, maybe not everything, but the more unused and unnecessary items you eliminate from your home, the less stuff you’ll have to pack up, haul across town, unload, and organize.
Certified professional organizer Ellen Delap recommends clearing any clutter from your home as soon as you know you’ll be moving.
Be ruthless with your stuff. That coat you think is cute but haven’t worn in four months? Donate it.
The very first coffee maker you ever bought that flavors your morning brew with little pieces of rust? Trash it.
Doing a massive preliminary purge will have the single biggest impact on the efficiency and ease of your entire packing process.
Take a cue from Marie Kondo and organize your belongings by category, not by room (note that the category part only applies to the organization process, not the unpacking — that’s a whole separate ordeal).
Instead of spending a day cleaning out your entire bedroom, spend an afternoon sorting through every article of clothing you own.
Scour every coat closet, dirty clothes hamper, and laundry room until you’ve got all your clothes in one place. Then sort.
Do the same thing for books, shoes, important papers, and the like.
Free Bonus: Download our step-by-step KonMari Cheat Sheet so you can easily organize everything in your home just like Marie Kondo.
Save yourself a trip to your local Goodwill and schedule a MakeSpace pickup. In addition to picking up and storing practically anything (including furniture), we’ll also pick up your donation and drop it off to Goodwill — at no extra charge.
You probably have a few items you no longer want, but would love to get a little money for. If that’s the case, set these items aside and determine where you can sell them.
If it’s furniture, Craigslist or AptDeco might be your best bet. If it’s brand name clothing, you could try Poshmark or a local consignment store.
For specialty items like a gently used Coach purse or your collection of 90’s Beanie Babies, get on eBay.
Once you have everything sorted, set a date on your calendar to visit the nearest Buffalo Exchange or craft descriptions of the items you plan to sell online.
Research is never fun. Yelp and Google will overwhelm you with the sheer volume of choices for household moving companies to hire, but don’t give in to the pressure and pick the first four-star rating you see.
A moving company can often make or break your entire moving experience, so it’s important to get it right. The more effort you put into finding a reputable company with excellent customer service ahead of time, the less hassle you’ll have on moving day.
Lift NYC recommends double-checking that the moving company you want to hire is licensed with the state you’re in.
“There are tens of thousands of people claiming to be a ‘moving company’ when in actuality it’s just some guy with a van trying to make some extra money,” says Mike Sulkowska of Lift NYC.
Make sure to read the company’s list of services, fine print, and refund or damage policies, too. For example, some companies don’t lift items that aren’t in boxes (so your stuffed-to-the-brim duffel bags won’t make the cut), while others ask for full payment several weeks early.
Find out the specifics so there are no unwelcome surprises come moving day.
Pro Tip: Use Unpakt to find trustworthy moving companies, compare prices, and book your move online in minutes.
Hire your movers at least a month out so you can plan accordingly. If you have a flexible schedule, play around with potential moving dates and try to find the cheapest time of month to make an appointment.
Moving companies are busiest on weekends, so if you can skip the Saturday chaos and schedule your move for a Tuesday, you might get a significant discount.
Whether you’re moving to NYC, across the country, across state lines, or just to a neighboring town, you’re going to need an efficient travel route so you don’t waste your move-in day sitting in gridlock traffic or pulling over three different times to type an address into your GPS.
Figure out the easiest, most efficient way to get where you’re going. Look up potential highway construction schedules ahead of time. And take traffic, detours, and necessary stops into account when you’re making your plan.
When you move homes, you inevitably end up having 600 different things to do and remember. Don’t let all these tasks and important reminders, no matter how seemingly obvious, slip your mind.
Take your organization a step further and spend an evening mapping out everything you have to do. Get an oversized calendar and mark the empty white boxes with important daily tasks to prepare for your move.
Tuesday: Call moving company.
Wednesday: Sort through toiletries.
Thursday: Buy new sheets.
An added bonus to using the calendar method is that breaking up your tasks by day makes them seem more manageable. Also, don’t forget to add “celebrate with wine” somewhere in there to give you something to look forward to.
10. Get moving boxes from your local liquor store.
Pay a visit to your local liquor store (that’s where you can buy the aforementioned wine) to see if they recycle their used boxes. If so, ask if you can grab a handful so you’re saving a little paper in your moving journey.
Just make sure the boxes are very gently worn and that you only use them to hold lightweight items like linens and towels. You don’t want to deal with ripped boxes and broken valuables on the big day.
11. Check to see if you have original boxes for your electronics.
You might think your flat screen TV could withstand a 30-minute drive across town in a cardboard box, but alas, it’s a fragile piece of technology. The best way to transport your electronics is in the original boxes they arrived in when you purchased them.
Check to see if you stashed these boxes somewhere — attic? Garage? If you don’t have them, make a list of what you’ll need to buy or borrow to properly cushion your stuff.
Quilted blankets, bubble wrap, and sturdy tape all work well to protect TVs and similarly delicate items.
Free Bonus: We asked the best moving companies to share their top packing tips. Learn all of them here.
How, you might ask, is one trip to the hardware store even possible?
Here’s how: lists.
Make one and make it really thorough and detailed. Sit down with your family, partner, or roommates and brainstorm every possible item you will need to help you get through the moving process.
Again, nothing is too insignificant. Packing tape, cardboard boxes, packing paper, extra screws, putty, a measuring tape, a new industrial-size broom, you name it. Buy it all in one big haul.
Don’t forget the “just in case” items when you’re making your master hardware store list. Stock up now on extra supplies like light bulbs (check your lamps to verify the type you need), extension cords, and power strips so you’ll be set to go when you start moving things in.
Call your cable, internet, electricity, and gas providers at least a week ahead of your move to figure out when you need to shut everything off. Make sure you leave enough time in your schedule to gather any necessary items — like cords, remotes, or cable boxes — you may need to return.
If you’re relying on friends and family to help with your move, be courteous and give them a month’s notice. Do the same with babysitters for your children.
Send out an email with the details of where to meet, what time, what to bring, and what to wear (read: no sundresses or uncomfortable shoes) so everyone is on the same page.
Packing little by little is far less stressful than trying to tackle it all in one day. As early as a couple months out, start packing the stuff you know you won’t be using.
Pack up all your art and decorative items several weeks before you move. These pieces can be some of the trickiest to store because they’re fragile and often oddly shaped, so having a bit of extra time to figure out how to properly cushion them is crucial.
Sure, your walls and mantels will look a bit stark, but when you’re running around the house a week before the move feeling like you’re about to lose your mind, you’ll be so glad your grandma’s landscape painting is already nestled in its precious bubble wrap.
This is one of those things everyone forgets to do until they’re two weeks into life in a new home and they realize their Amazon Prime shipment still hasn’t arrived. Change your address ahead of time so your bills, credit card statements, and packages can arrive on time and without hassle.
The key to finding your stuff easily is labeling all your packed boxes accurately and clearly. When you’re stacking boxes in a van or car you won’t be able to see their tops, so make sure you label the sides as well. But don’t stop there.
Label the boxes by category and by room (for example, Books, Library and Books, Bedroom) to speed up the unloading process.
If you’re more of a visual learner, use color-coded electrical tape to label your boxes.
If you want to take your box labeling a step further, create a number system.
As you pack up a box, take note of every single item inside of it. Write the list in a Google doc, or use a handy organizing app like Sortly, and then give the box a number.
This genius strategy has two major benefits:
You can go straight to box #16 with the plunger instead of digging through every “Bathroom” box just to find it.
You’ll know the total number of boxes you’re transporting so you can check to see if one goes missing or is stolen.
It sounds obvious, but if you’ve ever known the struggle that is carrying a large cardboard box stuffed full of college textbooks across a parking lot, then you also know this advice cannot be overstated.
Fill your small boxes with heavier items and use large boxes for light things like decorative pillows, towels, and linens (here’s how to properly clean and store your bedding).
Not to be confused with duct tape, packing tape is the heavy-duty, insanely sticky clear tape you see at the post office.
Always make sure your boxes have tops, but don’t do the interlocking fold method with the flaps of your box tops — just tape them closed. It’s much more secure this way.
23. Protect fragile items with packing paper, bubble wrap, or blankets.
Flickr/Guy Kilroy
Remember that packing paper you put on your master list when you stocked up on supplies at the hardware store?
Use it to pad all your fragile dishware and decorative items. Stuff it inside glasses, wrap it around vases and bowls, and shove it between your dishes and the side of your boxes.
Make sure you wrap each of your fragile items separately, so they’re fully cushioned. If you don’t have packing paper, opt for bubble wrap or a quilted blanket.
Don’t stack your dishes horizontally inside a box. Instead, wrap your plates and bowls in packing paper, gently place them into a box on their sides like records, and then fill the empty spaces with bubble wrap to prevent cracking and breaking.
25. Cover the tops of toiletry bottles with Saran Wrap.
Paige Smith
To prevent potential leaking and spilling (and crying and cursing), take an extra two minutes as you pack to secure your toiletry bottles.
Unscrew the cap of your shampoo bottle, wrap a piece of Saran Wrap (or a Ziploc bag) over the top, and screw the cap back on. Simple and surprisingly effective.
26. Pack a clear plastic box with things you’ll need right away.
This can include toilet paper, a shower curtain, hand soap, towels, sheets, snacks, or whatever else you think you’ll need for the first day or night in your new home.
Having a few essential items on hand will make you feel more comfortable and prepared to tackle unpacking everything else.
To save you the guilt of throwing away perfectly decent food, stop buying groceries a week or two before you’re scheduled to move. Try to make meals at home to use all the food you have left.
If you don’t finish everything, invite a friend or two over to see if they need some half-finished spices or boxes of pasta.
For anything you can’t get rid of, toss it and don’t look back.
For anything you decide to hold onto, store it in any of our 48 kitchen storage hacks that will keep everything in your kitchen incredibly organized.
Pack a separate box or briefcase with copies of all your important documents in case of an emergency.
Though it might be a tedious project to scan or copy every birth certificate, passport, social security card, proof of insurance paper, and tax claim, you don’t want to risk damaging the only version of your papers in transit. They’re too precious.
Build a mini cleanup kit so you can do one final sweep through your home on moving day.
Set aside a broom, mop, dustpan, duster, sponge, cleaning products, paper towels, and old rags for wiping the grimy, hidden surfaces you could never get to when all your stuff was in the way.
Who wants to wake up to a grungy, mildewy fridge in their new home?
No one. No one at all.
Take time to thoroughly clean your fridge and wipe away all the liquid before you haul it to your new home.
34. Load boxes from the same rooms together.
Flickr/Guy Kilroy
Stack and load boxes in groups according to the rooms indicated on the labels. Put all the kitchen stuff together, all the bedroom stuff together, and all the living room stuff together.
That way, you can unload all the boxes from the same rooms at the same time, which makes unpacking everything a cinch.
35. Load heavy furniture into the moving truck first.
Have the person with the highest Tetris score be in charge of figuring out how to fit everything in the back of the moving truck in the most efficient way possible.
This moving tip really only applies if you’re renting your new home:
Before your friends and family start stacking boxes in the entryway, or scuffing the doorway trying to shove your couch through, snap a few shots of your space so you can note any existing damage.
It’ll be more difficult to prove you didn’t cause that damage after you’ve moved in all your furniture.
Pro Tip: Nothing puts a dent in your moving happiness like putting a dent in the wall. So pick up one of these space-saving sofas and couches that will actually fit in your apartment.
37. Delegate tasks when you’re unloading the moving truck.
Flickr/Guy Kilroy
Figure out ahead of time who will be the chief of moving day. Whoever feels comfortable taking charge of the unloading and organization process (and inevitably answering 400 different questions) should assume this position.
Delegate every little task so no one is wasting time or sitting around with nothing to do. With all hands on deck, your unpacking process will fly by.
Keep a stash of Ziploc bags in your purse or backpack for the big moving day. You can use the bags to store doorknobs, tiny screws and brackets, luggage keys, or other small, easily forgettable items.
Certified professional organizer and productivity consultant Jennifer Lavarecommends making your beds as soon as you move in. That way, instead of worry about tucking in your dust ruffle, or finding the right set of sheets at the end of a long night, you can just crash out right away.
Make sure you take care of the people who help you move, regardless of whether or not they’re being paid to do it.
Provide beverages and snacks for everyone, break for pizza, or pay for everyone’s dinner and get it delivered using a food ordering app like Seamless.
Pro Tip: Say your friends want food delivered from a restaurant that doesn’t actually deliver. Do you give up and settle for a different restaurant that does deliver?
No way.
Use an errand-outsourcing service like TaskRabbit to pick up food everyone really wants and deliver it to you.
We’ll pick up all your stuff (yep, even your heavy furniture, bike, AC unit, and luggage), store it in our secure and temperature-controlled storage facility, and create an online photo catalog so you can see everything without having to visit a self-storage unit.
The best part: Whenever you need an item back, all you have to do is select its photo and we’ll deliver it to you.
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