You’ve made up your mind, and you’re moving out. But moving day comes with all sorts of challenges. Sketchy movers, broken items, and general confusion – not to mention the stressful runup to the big day.
How do you cut down on the chaos? Proper planning. (And maybe a little input from the pros.)
At Moving APT, we’ve been managing moves for over 20 years. Our team has plenty of experience with every step: planning, coordinating, and keeping the wheels turning – it’s our job, and it’s always come down to having an effective game plan. Now’s our chance to share what we know.
Even if you’re DIYing it, we want you to have a stress-free relocation. Check out this guide to planning and organizing your move, and get started on the right foot.
DIY or Professional Movers? Your Options (and the Pros and Cons)
Before you start planning, you’ve gotta figure out your options for moving day. Do you want to do everything yourself, or do you want the professionals to take care of it? Check out the pros and cons below:
1. DIY Moving
DIY moving means you’ll be doing your own packing, loading, hauling – the works. From our experience, it’s hard to beat DIY moving on price, but it’s also just plain hard to DIY a move in the first place. It may be straightforward to plan, but the execution can be a pain (especially if you’re trying to pinch pennies the whole time).
Pros
- Simple to organize and coordinate
- More control over your move
- Affordable (if done correctly)
- A great option for small moves
- More of an adventure (if you’re into that kinda thing)
Cons
- Expensive if done wrong
- Potentially dangerous if done wrong
- You’ll still need help with your heavy stuff
- Hard to DIY more than a studio
2. Professional Moving Companies
Residential moving companies will take care of the whole process for you. Depending on the options and add-ons you choose, they can handle your packing, the long haul transportation, and even unwrapping and furniture arrangement. It may be pricier, but if you shop smart, it can be pretty affordable, too.
Pros
- Complete VIP experience
- Professional movers have all the tools and equipment for the job
- No need to rent a truck
- Surprisingly affordable
- Pick and choose the exact services you need
Cons
- Pricier than a DIY move
- Takes time to find the right team
- Takes a bit more planning up front
The Middle Ground for Moving: Moving Containers and More
If you can’t decide between full service movers and a complete DIY job, you’re in luck. There’s a middle ground for moving day:
1. Moving Containers
There are several different companies that offer moving pods, moving containers, or whatever else they wanna call ‘em. The basic mechanic is always the same: You get a big container dropped off outside your place, and then you pack it up on your own time.
When it’s time to move, the container company will come along, pick it up, and haul it to your destination. Then, you do the whole thing in reverse: Unpack on your own time, and they’ll take the empty container away when you’re done with it.
Moving containers are a great compromise between a DIY move and a full-service moving company. Just make sure you’re allowed to park the container on your street, since some towns and neighborhoods get a little picky about parking permits.
2. Moving Labor
You’ll needs some help moving your heaviest items. If you’re DIYing it, this is usually the part where you expect your family and friends to step up and lend a hand. Unfortunately, friends and family always seem to be busy the exact weekend you’re moving.
Want something more reliable? Want a team that actually has equipment for heavy lifting in the first place? Book moving labor. It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: You hire these guys, they show up at your place, and they help out with all the heavy, bulky, and just plain awkward items.
DIY moving means you get a lot of independence, and you can deal with the relocation at your own pace. You’re still getting that freedom when you book moving labor, too. Once they’re done, they’ll get out of your hair and let you handle the rest.
Specialty Item Handling and Small Move Delivery
If you’re trying to fit everything in your car, more power to you. Fortunately, you can book specialty item handling and delivery for all the junk that’s too big for your trunk.
Most moving companies have a minimum weight requirement to transport items. But others are more flexible, and they’re willing to transport the odd dresser or mattress. And since moving companies are always trying to cut down on all that empty (read: wasted) space in their trucks and trailers, you may be able to score a pretty decent price.
Specialty item handling means your items are getting the white-glove treatment. This is especially helpful if you have high value or fragile items, such as pianos and artwork. You don’t want to risk putting that stuff in your car, so let the pros pack it up and transport it safely.
The Administrative Stuff: How to Get Organized Before Moving Day
Whether you’re working with the pros, going DIY, or finding that sweet middle ground, you’ve still gotta get organized.
Here’s how:
1. Start early. How early? Try 2 to 3 months. Some folks are procrastinators. Some folks are organize-and-do-it-earliers. More time means more wiggle room if you’re in column A, and a safeguard against unexpected delays if you’re in column B.
2. Write it all down. We recommend putting together a spreadsheet, or at the very least getting a notebook. Write down all the tasks you have to deal with, from booking and packing to transferring utilities and forwarding mail. We made a moving checklist, too.
3. Clean house. Before you book your movers. It’s more expensive to move more stuff, so go through your house and get rid of all the excess. Want to get some extra cash for moving day? Sell your unwanted items, either through a garage sale, or online.
4. Be honest with yourself. You know yourself better than we do. You know whether you’re a procrastinator or an early-riser. You also know how much you can lift, and whether you can handle driving a rental truck. Plan (and book services) accordingly.
5. Scope out multiple moving companies. When you start shopping for movers, try to get at least three quotes, from three different companies. This gives you an idea of average rates, and knowing the industry standard helps you weed out scammers.
6. Book services, not brands. You may think you’re locked into booking everything that a mover advertises. Don’t fall for this trap. See if you can reserve just the services you need. Fortunately, a moving management team (like Moving APT) can coordinate this.
A Quick Guide to Packing Your Stuff
1. Packing is a tough process. Follow these steps to make it easier (even if you’re planning on hiring pros for the heavy lifting).
2. Get the right supplies. A few t-shirts and Amazon boxes is not gonna cut it. Hit up Home Depot, or even your nearest moving company. You’ll be able to find sturdy boxes at a good price – not to mention all the other stuff you need for packing and wrapping.
3. Start with least-used items. You use your toothbrush every day (we hope). Don’t put it in a box on day one. Artwork, seasonal decor – box this up first. Work your way up to your frequently-used items, and keep the must-haves in an essentials bag (see below).
4. Use the buddy system. “DIY” doesn’t always mean literally by yourself. You can seriously hurt yourself getting a fridge on a truck without any help. Call some friends, bribe them with pizza and beer, or just hire moving labor. It’s cheaper than Urgent Care.
5. Label clearly. Get a sharpie, and use it often. If a box is full of kitchen stuff, write “KITCHEN”. If a box is full of living room stuff, write “LIVING ROOM”. And so on. Also, mark what boxes are full of fragile items – and use arrows to keep it right side up.
6. Use a staging area. Hopefully, you cleaned house like we recommended. Now, you can put all your completed boxes in one, easy-to-access corner or bedroom. A staging area makes loading much faster and easier – a must-have if you’re working with local movers.
7. Stack like with like. Odds are, you’ve got a variety of different boxes, in different shapes and sizes. When you stack them up, keep like with like. Don’t go putting large boxes on top of small boxes, or putting small, heavy boxes on top of large boxes full of pillows.
8. Pack an essentials bag. As you get closer to moving day, you’ll start packing up your daily essentials. Grab a suitcase or backpack, and pack it with your must-haves. You’ll be living out of this bag for a while, so pack it up as if you were going on a mini-vacation.
Want to Book some Help? Moving APT Has You Covered
You’ve seen how to plan like a pro – but why not hire the pros to handle everything from the start? At Moving APT, we’ve spent over 20 years helping customers with their local and long distance moves: Everything from planning and coordination to move management once all the wheels are turning.
Ready to get moving? We’re here to help. Check out our moving cost calculator to get a free quote, and let’s get you on the road!
Moving FAQ
What’s the difference between local and long distance moving?
Local movers handle anything under 100 miles and within the same state. But if you’re moving over 100 miles or across state lines, you’ll need to book long distance movers (yes, even if the state line is less than 100 miles away).
Local movers charge per hour, per mover. From our experience, it takes about two movers per bedroom. Long distance moving companies charge per mile and per pound – though some may measure your items and bill per cubic foot.
What is a binding estimate?
A binding estimate (sometimes referred to as a binding quote or a flat fee) means the price of your move won’t change once the estimate has been issued. Unlike nonbinding estimates, your price is set in stone, and your mover can’t jack up the price if the job turns out to be a little harder than expected.
How can I save money on a move?
First of all, downsize before you book a moving company. The less you have to move, the less you have to pay. You should also try to avoid summer moving: there’s way more competition for time slots from June through August, which means way higher prices.
If you really want to go cheap, you can DIY a move and ask bookstores, liquor stores, and office parks for spare boxes they’re willing to part with. But sometimes, hiring professional movers isn’t that much more expensive – and it’s way less hassle!
How far in advance should you plan a move?
2 to 3 months in advance. This gives you plenty of time to prepare for the big move, and moving companies are more likely to give you a sweet discount. Plus, you’re more likely to get the time slot you really want.
How can I avoid being scammed by a moving company?
We always recommend checking for a Department of Transportation (DOT) number and a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) number. If a mover doesn’t have this information on their website, don’t be afraid to ask!
Aside from checking for certs and registration, be cautious about down payments. A couple hundred bucks before the move, or a percent of your total price – that’s no problem. But if a mover asks for the full price before you’ve even moved, forget about it! They’re trying to scam you.long