\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Contents of this moving guide<\/span><\/h2>\n\n- Planning your move<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Decluttering<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Start packing<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Moving day<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Unpacking<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Moving resources<\/span><\/h2>\n\n- Moving planner<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Frequently asked questions about moving<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Top moving companies for long distance moving<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Biggest self storage providers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Best home organizing methods \u2013 a quick roundup<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n
Moving is not the easiest feat: It requires careful planning and task coordination. Having it all thought out and prepared beforehand can make the difference between a hectic process and a hassle-free move. Read our advice and check the (virtual) boxes below and moving will start to seem like a nice adventure, one that you can embrace and enjoy.<\/p>\n
<\/span>1. Planning your move<\/span><\/h2>\nFirst things first: you need a planner to jot down the details of the move \u2013 whether a simple word doc on your smartphone, a Google doc, or a printable planner. Think of this list as a command center which will help you stay on top of things, making sure you\u2019ve completed all the steps and there\u2019s nothing you overlooked.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Save the date<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nThe next step while planning your move is to decide on the date of the move. Seasonality affects the costs, especially if you\u2019re hiring professional movers. Many people choose to move during weekends and during summer months, so, due to high demand, most moving companies also have higher rates in these time slots.<\/p>\n
Choosing a weekday and an off-season month (November through March) for your move will usually translate into lower moving costs<\/strong>. However, there are other factors to consider, like the weather, which is generally less \u201cmoving-friendly\u201d during autumn and winter for most parts of the country. Then there\u2019s the traffic, which might be busier during weekdays than during weekends.<\/p>\n<\/span>Hiring a moving company vs. a DIY move<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nHiring a moving company saves you a lot of stress and trouble, particularly for a long-distance move. Relying on professional movers will let you eliminate a few steps of the moving checklist as they\u2019ll take care of things like the following:<\/p>\n
\n- Supplying packing materials and packing your stuff for transportation, including furniture disassembly when needed.<\/li>\n
- Truck loading, transporting your belongings to the new location, and unloading everything.<\/li>\n
- Keeping on schedule with the move, obtaining moving permits if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It\u2019s often a good idea to book the moving company about two or even three months in advance<\/strong>. This way, you can be sure that the company you prefer is available on your moving day. Postponing this step for a month or less prior to the moving day means your choice of movers will be limited. Make sure you ask for quotes from at least three moving companies before booking one<\/strong>.<\/p>\nHiring professional movers, however, can be more expensive than going with a DIY move. If you decide to take care of the move yourself, make sure you include everything when calculating the costs of your move, including:<\/p>\n
\n- The time you take off work<\/li>\n
- The cost of the rental truck<\/li>\n
- The cost of fuel<\/li>\n
- Cost of moving supplies<\/li>\n
- The cost of lodging and food along the way<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It\u2019s also important to consider the right moving truck size for your needs as this might help you save some money. A truck that\u2019s too small means you\u2019re squashing your belongings together and you risk damaging them. Renting a moving truck that\u2019s too big, on the other hand, is a waste of money. Here\u2019s how to choose the right truck size for your needs:<\/p>\n
\n- A 10 to 12 ft. truck is suitable when moving a small apartment and can hold around five pieces of furniture and up to 50 moving boxes.<\/li>\n
- A 14 to 17 ft. moving truck is normally enough for a 2-bedroom home, and you can load it with about 10 pieces of large furniture and up to 100 moving boxes.<\/li>\n
- A 20 to 24 ft. moving truck works for a 3-bedroom home and you can fit inside around 15 pieces of furniture and up to 150 moving boxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2021\/11\/Moving-guide_layouts-01.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n<\/span>Moving permit \u2013 do you need one or not?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nYou might need a moving permit, depending on the place you\u2019re moving to. The moving permit offers you the right to temporarily park large vehicles such as the moving truck in a certain location during specific times of the day. This type of permit is required particularly in big cities such as New York City, Chicago and Boston \u2013 however, regardless of where you move to, you should contact the local administration and ask about whether such a permit is required. If you\u2019re hiring a moving company, they usually deal with the permit themselves.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Services to cancel, transfer and arrange<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContact your utility and service providers to learn details about how and when to cancel or transfer all those services and utilities. You don\u2019t want to pay an extra month at your old address for not canceling a service on time, nor do you want to move to your new home and lack some essential services. Here are the utility and service providers you should contact in both locations \u2013 your old home and the new one:
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n
\n- Water<\/li>\n
- Electricity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth]
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n
\n- Gas<\/li>\n
- Cable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth]
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n
\n- Internet<\/li>\n
- Phone\/cell phone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth]
\n[one_fourth_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Garbage collection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth_last]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Change your USPS address<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nChanging your USPS address before moving saves you missing bills, notifications, deliveries, and other important documents sent by mail.<\/p>\n
Changing the address is pretty simple and straightforward: go to the dedicated USPS web page<\/a> and follow the instructions. You will have to list your contact information \u2013 full name, phone number and email \u2013 and to fill in the old address and the new one. Also, you have to choose the date when USPS should start forwarding your mail to your new address. The date you enter must not be more than 30 days prior to the moment when you\u2019re filling out the form, or more than 3 months after.<\/p>\n<\/span>Drawing a budget<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nMoving is definitely expensive and it\u2019s important that you put together a detailed budget \u2013 it will help you, on one hand, to understand how much money you actually need and, therefore, to start saving ahead of time. On the other hand, it will help you keep those costs under control. Here are the things you should factor into your budget when planning your move:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
\n- Cost of hiring a moving company<\/strong> \u2013 make sure you learn what\u2019s included and what\u2019s not included in the price quote. Some companies include things like moving supplies, packing, and unpacking services in their price quote, while others do not. While you might be attracted by a lower price, also be sure that you understand exactly what services that price will get you. Also, ask for quotes from several moving companies before hiring one.<\/li>\n
- Cost of renting a moving truck <\/strong>if you prefer a DIY move, plus cost of fuel for the truck.<\/li>\n
- Moving supplies costs <\/strong>\u2013 different types of boxes, tape, plastic and bubble wrap, markers, labels, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Equipment rental <\/strong>\u2013 you might need a dolly to load up heavy items, or other electrical tools to disassemble your furniture.<\/li>\n
- Insurance costs <\/strong>\u2013 you might want to get extra insurance for your belongings, on top of what the moving company or the truck rental company is offering. If you are planning to move valuable items \u2014 for example, artwork, antiques, musical instruments and expensive furniture \u2014 extra insurance is highly recommended.<\/li>\n
- Moving permit <\/strong><\/li>\n
- Fuel, lodging, food and parking costs <\/strong>in case you\u2019re driving your own car to your new home. These costs add up quickly in the case of long-distance moves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Vehicle shipping costs<\/strong> if you decide to ship your cars.<\/li>\n
- Cleaning costs <\/strong>for both your old and new homes.<\/li>\n
- Cost of taking time off work <\/strong>to organize and complete your move.<\/li>\n
- Storage unit costs<\/a>, <\/strong>as you\u2019ll most likely need to store some of your items before and after the move, as you pack up your old home and until the new home is ready.<\/li>\n
- Childcare and\/or pet care costs <\/strong>on moving day.<\/li>\n
- Setting up utilities at your new home <\/strong>\u2013 some companies require fees for setting up services such as Internet, cable, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Remodeling costs <\/strong>\u2013 that really depends on the situation, but, even if the new home doesn\u2019t need a lot of work, you might still want to paint some walls, improve the backyard and so on. It\u2019s smart to set aside some money for such small projects.<\/li>\n
- Furniture and appliances updates <\/strong>\u2013 your existing furniture and appliances might not fit into your new home, and you might have to buy new items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n
To help you understand all the ramifications and the importance of calculating a detailed budget, we came up with an example for one of the country\u2019s most popular moving routes, California to Texas<\/a>, or, more precisely, San Francisco <\/strong>to Austin<\/strong>.<\/p>\nWe calculated the budget for moving an average sized home (2-3 bedrooms) based on the categories of expenses listed above. Both types of moves were considered \u2013 hiring a moving company or DIYing the move. We obtained price estimates from several companies for each expense in the budget where it applies. We did not include remodeling costs and furniture and appliances updates, as they are not necessarily a part of the moving process, and usually vary widely, depending on the situation.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2021\/11\/Moving-guide_layouts-02.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nBased on our calculations, a DIY move is indeed more affordable \u2013 relocating this way from San Francisco, California, to Austin, Texas, including all the associated expenses, results in an overall cost of around $5,500. If you\u2019re hiring a moving company, you should expect to pay a little under $10,000, but, on the other hand, there\u2019s a lot less work involved in the process.<\/p>\n
This calculation is obviously just an example, but it clearly shows why it\u2019s important to put everything in your budget: costs do add up quickly, even for apparently small things like paying a babysitter.<\/p>\n
<\/span>2. Decluttering<\/span><\/h2>\nDecluttering is one of the most important steps of a successful, stress-free move. Besides distance, the quantity of stuff you are transporting from one home to the other is the most important indicator of how expensive that move is going to be. By taking the time to declutter thoroughly, you are making your move simpler and less expensive. Here\u2019s how to tackle your home\u2019s decluttering<\/strong>:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- \n
\n- Start early on<\/strong> \u2013 two months before the moving date is a good moment to begin the decluttering process. This way, by the time you start packing, your belongings will already be sorted out.<\/li>\n
- Start decluttering from the outside in<\/strong> \u2013 this means starting with auxiliary spaces such as the garage, basement, attic, garden shed, and so on. These spaces are usually the most cluttered in a home, as people tend to banish the items they no longer need and use there, whether they are furniture, electronics, appliances, toys and books, clothes, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Once you have cleared up those spaces, it\u2019s time to start decluttering indoors<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Go through your closets<\/strong> with a critical eye and let go of all the items you haven\u2019t worn in a while. A year is a commonly used timeframe when deciding whether you should keep a certain piece of clothing or let it go \u2013 if you haven\u2019t worn it for an entire year, you probably don\u2019t need it.<\/li>\n
- Keep only one of the same type of items \u2013 <\/strong>if, for example, you have two lawnmowers that do the same job, or two kitchen blenders, keep the one you like most and give up on the other.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- \n
\n- \n
\n- Make sure your furniture and appliances <\/strong>fit into your new home. Keep to hand detailed measurements of the sizes of the rooms and the widths of door frames in your future home. Then, for each item, check whether you\u2019ll be able to get it into its new room and if it will fit properly in there. It\u2019s a waste of time, money, and effort to move stuff you won\u2019t be able to use.<\/li>\n
- Find creative ways to deal with your sentimental items, <\/strong>from children\u2019s drawings to ancient t-shirts or boxes with old pictures and magazines. Instead of packing up all that stuff, maybe you could take pictures of the most significant items or use them in collages or other artsy projects. This way, you\u2019ll manage to enjoy their sentimental value even more, without having to transfer so much stuff.<\/li>\n
- Use the things you like instead of saving them for an undefined future \u2013 <\/strong>many of us tend to \u201csave\u201d stuff that we love, such as a nice bedding set, tableware, and so on. Well, what better time to use your favorite items than when moving into a new home? Leave your old, tattered items behind and enjoy the new ones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]
\nWhat do you do with the things you no longer need?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nNow that you finished decluttering your home, you\u2019re left with an appreciable amount of personal and household possessions you have to deal with. There are several ways to get rid of the things you no longer need:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
\n- \n
\n- \n
\n- Donate the clothes<\/strong> to charitable organizations such as Goodwill<\/a> or Salvation Army<\/a>. Both organizations are easily accessible throughout the country and have excellent track records with their charitable work. If you have shoes to donate, consider Soles4Souls<\/a>, an initiative helping people in developing countries to launch their own businesses selling donated shoes and clothing, and it\u2019s also distributing shoes and clothing to people in need in the US and worldwide.<\/li>\n
- Donate the books <\/strong>you no longer need to local libraries or to organizations such as Reader to Reader<\/a>, or check the book donation map of America<\/a> to find the nearest organization that accepts such items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Donate furniture, appliances and electronics <\/strong>to Habitat for Humanity ReStore<\/a>, where your items get a new life instead of ending up in a landfill.<\/li>\n
- Organize a garage sale.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- List your items for sale <\/strong>online, whether it\u2019s Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or other similar websites.<\/li>\n
- Ask family and friends <\/strong>whether they want some of the stuff you no longer need.<\/li>\n
- Recycle <\/strong>the items that are not suitable to be sold or donated. Contact your local waste management company or local authorities to find out how you can dispose correctly of bulkier items like furniture, appliances, and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n
<\/span>3. Start packing<\/span><\/h2>\nActual packing can start a few weeks prior to moving day, as it\u2019s a laborious task that usually takes much longer than people estimate. Of course, if you want an early start on packing, you should begin with items you don\u2019t use on daily basis, such as winter clothing if you\u2019re moving in the middle of the summer, for example. There are different packing strategies, so pick the one that suits your needs best:<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>By Category \u2013 the Marie Kondo way<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nFollowing the logic of the Marie Kondo decluttering method, you can pack your home by category: clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items and sentimental items. This approach works best when you have only a few days left for packing, as it provides an easy-to-follow plan and allows you to declutter as you pack, if you haven\u2019t yet had the chance. By packing all the clothing in your home in one go, it\u2019s easy to spot and discard the items you no longer need \u2013 and the same is true for each category of belongings.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
<\/span>By Room<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nPacking by room is another strategy that allows you to start the process ahead of time. You can pack first the areas of your home you don\u2019t use so often \u2014 for example, basement, attic and garage \u2014 followed by guest bedrooms, the dining room and the living room. Pack the kitchen, bathrooms, and the bedrooms used by family members last, as you need and use those spaces the most.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
<\/span>By Family Type and Needs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nFind the packing method that works the best for your family. If, for example, you have small children, maybe the best course of action could be to ask a friend or family member to babysit during the weekend prior to the move and do the bulk of the packing then. On the other hand, if your children are teenagers, ask them to pack their own bedrooms how they see fit, while you deal with the rest of the home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2021\/11\/Moving-guide_layouts-06.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n<\/span>Supplies you need for packing up your home<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nYou\u2019ll need an assortment of boxes, plus other supplies, to help you pack everything safely and orderly. Here are the packing supplies you must have by the time you start packing:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
\n- Small, medium and large moving boxes<\/li>\n
- Wardrobe boxes<\/li>\n
- Wooden crates for heavy items<\/li>\n
- Packing tape<\/li>\n
- Styrofoam and\/or packing peanuts for protecting fragile items. Alternatively, you can use old newspapers, sheets, towels, and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Stretch wrap<\/li>\n
- Markers and labels<\/li>\n
- A dolly for moving heavy items. If you\u2019re using a moving company, they will have one. If you\u2019re renting a moving truck, ask the company about also renting a tow dolly. Otherwise, you could purchase a simple, inexpensive one that still gets the job done.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2021\/11\/Moving-guide_layouts-03.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nThe number of boxes you need depends, obviously, on the number of bedrooms you have and the size of your household. Here\u2019s how to approximate how many boxes you need for your home:<\/p>\n
\n- Calculate approx. 5 small boxes, 5 medium and 5 large boxes for each bedroom, plus a couple of wardrobe boxes if needed. Wardrobe boxes allow you to pack hanging clothes without wrinkling them. One wardrobe box generally holds approx. 20 inches of closet space, so, if your hanging closet is 40 inches in length, you need two wardrobe boxes.<\/li>\n
- For a family-sized kitchen, you need about 10 small boxes, 6 medium boxes and another 6 large boxes. You should also get a few dish barrel boxes that allow you to transport your breakable items (glasses, mugs, plates, and so on) safely.<\/li>\n
- Packing the average living room requires up to 5 small boxes, around 4 medium boxes, and another 3-4 large boxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>How to efficiently pack your kitchen<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nThe kitchen is, understandably, one of the most difficult rooms to pack. On the one hand, it contains a lot of stuff and, on the other, you need to use it until moving day. Here are some simple rules that will make packing your kitchen a lot easier:<\/p>\n
\n- Check out your fridge, freezer and pantry and try to eat all the food you have before moving, instead of buying more food or ordering take out.<\/li>\n
- Use sturdy boxes for breakable and fragile items, such as china, mugs, cups and small appliances.<\/li>\n
- Set aside the essential items you need to use until the last moment: a few dishes, cutlery, cups, a toaster, your coffee maker, dish soap and some kitchen towels. Pack those only on moving day, in one box, and label the box properly, to make sure you find your kitchen essentials easily in your new home.<\/li>\n
- Empty and defrost your fridge and freezer the day before moving day. Wash them thoroughly inside and out and allow the interior to dry off completely before closing the doors in order to avoid musty smells. Then, tape the doors shut to prevent potential damages during transportation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you\u2019re left with a supply of unperishable foods that you don\u2019t want to take with you, contact a local soup kitchen or other charitable organization and donate that food.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/span>Things to remember while packing:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n- Don\u2019t overstuff the moving boxes, as they might tear apart during transportation.<\/li>\n
- The heavier the moving boxes are, the more complicated the move is, particularly if it\u2019s a DIY move. Favor small and medium boxes over large and extra-large ones as much as possible.<\/li>\n
- Use sturdy boxes or wooden crates for heavy items like books or tableware.<\/li>\n
- Protect electronics and appliances with bubble wrap, packing peanuts, old newspapers or other soft, protective materials.<\/li>\n
- Use stretch wrap to protect your furniture from scratches, and use corner protectors, particularly for expensive furniture that you can\u2019t disassemble for moving.<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s a lot easier to move flatpack furniture if you disassemble it.<\/li>\n
- Label all your boxes. Buy colored markers and assign colors for each room \u2013 red for living room, green for kitchen and so on. If you\u2019re planning to stick labels on your boxes, make sure they are good quality and don\u2019t peel off during transportation.<\/li>\n
- Be detailed when labeling the boxes \u2013 don\u2019t simply write \u201ckitchen\u201d on a box but also add a small inventory of what the box actually contains. For example, \u201ckitchen cups and mugs.\u201d That will help a lot when unpacking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Where to store packed items until moving day \u2013 and after<\/span><\/h3>\nStarting to pack ahead of time makes moving easier to manage \u2013 however, it doesn\u2019t make a lot of sense to keep your already packed stuff, be it furniture, appliances, or clothing, inside your current home. Instead, rent a self storage unit<\/a> located close to your future home and take your packed items there. In case of long-distance moves, it\u2019s important to know that many self storage facilities accept deliveries, which means you can ship some of your things close to your future home prior to moving day.<\/p>\nIf your new home is not yet move-in ready, you can store all your stuff until you are done with all the remodeling work<\/em><\/strong>. Here\u2019s how to decide what size of storage unit you need:<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2021\/11\/Moving-guide_layouts-05.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n\n- A 10×10 unit is enough to store the belongings from a studio apartment or from a small one-bedroom apartment.<\/li>\n
- A 10×15 storage unit can hold the furniture and the other belongings from a regular 2- or 3-bedroom house or apartment.<\/li>\n
- The 10×20 storage unit is about the size of a one-car garage, and you can fit into it the entire contents of a fairly large home (3+ bedrooms).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Things to keep for personal transportation<\/span><\/h3>\nThere are a few categories of items you shouldn\u2019t pack in the moving truck, for safety reasons, as you don\u2019t want them to be damaged or lost. Here\u2019s a list of the things to keep for personal transportation:<\/p>\n
\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Moving resources<\/span><\/h2>\n\n- Moving planner<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Frequently asked questions about moving<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Top moving companies for long distance moving<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Biggest self storage providers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Best home organizing methods \u2013 a quick roundup<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n
Moving is not the easiest feat: It requires careful planning and task coordination. Having it all thought out and prepared beforehand can make the difference between a hectic process and a hassle-free move. Read our advice and check the (virtual) boxes below and moving will start to seem like a nice adventure, one that you can embrace and enjoy.<\/p>\n
<\/span>1. Planning your move<\/span><\/h2>\nFirst things first: you need a planner to jot down the details of the move \u2013 whether a simple word doc on your smartphone, a Google doc, or a printable planner. Think of this list as a command center which will help you stay on top of things, making sure you\u2019ve completed all the steps and there\u2019s nothing you overlooked.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Save the date<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nThe next step while planning your move is to decide on the date of the move. Seasonality affects the costs, especially if you\u2019re hiring professional movers. Many people choose to move during weekends and during summer months, so, due to high demand, most moving companies also have higher rates in these time slots.<\/p>\n
Choosing a weekday and an off-season month (November through March) for your move will usually translate into lower moving costs<\/strong>. However, there are other factors to consider, like the weather, which is generally less \u201cmoving-friendly\u201d during autumn and winter for most parts of the country. Then there\u2019s the traffic, which might be busier during weekdays than during weekends.<\/p>\n<\/span>Hiring a moving company vs. a DIY move<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nHiring a moving company saves you a lot of stress and trouble, particularly for a long-distance move. Relying on professional movers will let you eliminate a few steps of the moving checklist as they\u2019ll take care of things like the following:<\/p>\n
\n- Supplying packing materials and packing your stuff for transportation, including furniture disassembly when needed.<\/li>\n
- Truck loading, transporting your belongings to the new location, and unloading everything.<\/li>\n
- Keeping on schedule with the move, obtaining moving permits if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It\u2019s often a good idea to book the moving company about two or even three months in advance<\/strong>. This way, you can be sure that the company you prefer is available on your moving day. Postponing this step for a month or less prior to the moving day means your choice of movers will be limited. Make sure you ask for quotes from at least three moving companies before booking one<\/strong>.<\/p>\nHiring professional movers, however, can be more expensive than going with a DIY move. If you decide to take care of the move yourself, make sure you include everything when calculating the costs of your move, including:<\/p>\n
\n- The time you take off work<\/li>\n
- The cost of the rental truck<\/li>\n
- The cost of fuel<\/li>\n
- Cost of moving supplies<\/li>\n
- The cost of lodging and food along the way<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It\u2019s also important to consider the right moving truck size for your needs as this might help you save some money. A truck that\u2019s too small means you\u2019re squashing your belongings together and you risk damaging them. Renting a moving truck that\u2019s too big, on the other hand, is a waste of money. Here\u2019s how to choose the right truck size for your needs:<\/p>\n
\n- A 10 to 12 ft. truck is suitable when moving a small apartment and can hold around five pieces of furniture and up to 50 moving boxes.<\/li>\n
- A 14 to 17 ft. moving truck is normally enough for a 2-bedroom home, and you can load it with about 10 pieces of large furniture and up to 100 moving boxes.<\/li>\n
- A 20 to 24 ft. moving truck works for a 3-bedroom home and you can fit inside around 15 pieces of furniture and up to 150 moving boxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/picture>\n<\/span>Moving permit \u2013 do you need one or not?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nYou might need a moving permit, depending on the place you\u2019re moving to. The moving permit offers you the right to temporarily park large vehicles such as the moving truck in a certain location during specific times of the day. This type of permit is required particularly in big cities such as New York City, Chicago and Boston \u2013 however, regardless of where you move to, you should contact the local administration and ask about whether such a permit is required. If you\u2019re hiring a moving company, they usually deal with the permit themselves.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Services to cancel, transfer and arrange<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContact your utility and service providers to learn details about how and when to cancel or transfer all those services and utilities. You don\u2019t want to pay an extra month at your old address for not canceling a service on time, nor do you want to move to your new home and lack some essential services. Here are the utility and service providers you should contact in both locations \u2013 your old home and the new one:
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n
\n- Water<\/li>\n
- Electricity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth]
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n
\n- Gas<\/li>\n
- Cable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth]
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n
\n- Internet<\/li>\n
- Phone\/cell phone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth]
\n[one_fourth_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Garbage collection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth_last]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Change your USPS address<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nChanging your USPS address before moving saves you missing bills, notifications, deliveries, and other important documents sent by mail.<\/p>\n
Changing the address is pretty simple and straightforward: go to the dedicated USPS web page<\/a> and follow the instructions. You will have to list your contact information \u2013 full name, phone number and email \u2013 and to fill in the old address and the new one. Also, you have to choose the date when USPS should start forwarding your mail to your new address. The date you enter must not be more than 30 days prior to the moment when you\u2019re filling out the form, or more than 3 months after.<\/p>\n<\/span>Drawing a budget<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nMoving is definitely expensive and it\u2019s important that you put together a detailed budget \u2013 it will help you, on one hand, to understand how much money you actually need and, therefore, to start saving ahead of time. On the other hand, it will help you keep those costs under control. Here are the things you should factor into your budget when planning your move:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
\n- Cost of hiring a moving company<\/strong> \u2013 make sure you learn what\u2019s included and what\u2019s not included in the price quote. Some companies include things like moving supplies, packing, and unpacking services in their price quote, while others do not. While you might be attracted by a lower price, also be sure that you understand exactly what services that price will get you. Also, ask for quotes from several moving companies before hiring one.<\/li>\n
- Cost of renting a moving truck <\/strong>if you prefer a DIY move, plus cost of fuel for the truck.<\/li>\n
- Moving supplies costs <\/strong>\u2013 different types of boxes, tape, plastic and bubble wrap, markers, labels, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Equipment rental <\/strong>\u2013 you might need a dolly to load up heavy items, or other electrical tools to disassemble your furniture.<\/li>\n
- Insurance costs <\/strong>\u2013 you might want to get extra insurance for your belongings, on top of what the moving company or the truck rental company is offering. If you are planning to move valuable items \u2014 for example, artwork, antiques, musical instruments and expensive furniture \u2014 extra insurance is highly recommended.<\/li>\n
- Moving permit <\/strong><\/li>\n
- Fuel, lodging, food and parking costs <\/strong>in case you\u2019re driving your own car to your new home. These costs add up quickly in the case of long-distance moves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Vehicle shipping costs<\/strong> if you decide to ship your cars.<\/li>\n
- Cleaning costs <\/strong>for both your old and new homes.<\/li>\n
- Cost of taking time off work <\/strong>to organize and complete your move.<\/li>\n
- Storage unit costs<\/a>, <\/strong>as you\u2019ll most likely need to store some of your items before and after the move, as you pack up your old home and until the new home is ready.<\/li>\n
- Childcare and\/or pet care costs <\/strong>on moving day.<\/li>\n
- Setting up utilities at your new home <\/strong>\u2013 some companies require fees for setting up services such as Internet, cable, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Remodeling costs <\/strong>\u2013 that really depends on the situation, but, even if the new home doesn\u2019t need a lot of work, you might still want to paint some walls, improve the backyard and so on. It\u2019s smart to set aside some money for such small projects.<\/li>\n
- Furniture and appliances updates <\/strong>\u2013 your existing furniture and appliances might not fit into your new home, and you might have to buy new items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n
To help you understand all the ramifications and the importance of calculating a detailed budget, we came up with an example for one of the country\u2019s most popular moving routes, California to Texas<\/a>, or, more precisely, San Francisco <\/strong>to Austin<\/strong>.<\/p>\nWe calculated the budget for moving an average sized home (2-3 bedrooms) based on the categories of expenses listed above. Both types of moves were considered \u2013 hiring a moving company or DIYing the move. We obtained price estimates from several companies for each expense in the budget where it applies. We did not include remodeling costs and furniture and appliances updates, as they are not necessarily a part of the moving process, and usually vary widely, depending on the situation.<\/p>\n<\/picture>\nBased on our calculations, a DIY move is indeed more affordable \u2013 relocating this way from San Francisco, California, to Austin, Texas, including all the associated expenses, results in an overall cost of around $5,500. If you\u2019re hiring a moving company, you should expect to pay a little under $10,000, but, on the other hand, there\u2019s a lot less work involved in the process.<\/p>\n
This calculation is obviously just an example, but it clearly shows why it\u2019s important to put everything in your budget: costs do add up quickly, even for apparently small things like paying a babysitter.<\/p>\n
<\/span>2. Decluttering<\/span><\/h2>\nDecluttering is one of the most important steps of a successful, stress-free move. Besides distance, the quantity of stuff you are transporting from one home to the other is the most important indicator of how expensive that move is going to be. By taking the time to declutter thoroughly, you are making your move simpler and less expensive. Here\u2019s how to tackle your home\u2019s decluttering<\/strong>:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- \n
\n- Start early on<\/strong> \u2013 two months before the moving date is a good moment to begin the decluttering process. This way, by the time you start packing, your belongings will already be sorted out.<\/li>\n
- Start decluttering from the outside in<\/strong> \u2013 this means starting with auxiliary spaces such as the garage, basement, attic, garden shed, and so on. These spaces are usually the most cluttered in a home, as people tend to banish the items they no longer need and use there, whether they are furniture, electronics, appliances, toys and books, clothes, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Once you have cleared up those spaces, it\u2019s time to start decluttering indoors<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Go through your closets<\/strong> with a critical eye and let go of all the items you haven\u2019t worn in a while. A year is a commonly used timeframe when deciding whether you should keep a certain piece of clothing or let it go \u2013 if you haven\u2019t worn it for an entire year, you probably don\u2019t need it.<\/li>\n
- Keep only one of the same type of items \u2013 <\/strong>if, for example, you have two lawnmowers that do the same job, or two kitchen blenders, keep the one you like most and give up on the other.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- \n
\n- \n
\n- Make sure your furniture and appliances <\/strong>fit into your new home. Keep to hand detailed measurements of the sizes of the rooms and the widths of door frames in your future home. Then, for each item, check whether you\u2019ll be able to get it into its new room and if it will fit properly in there. It\u2019s a waste of time, money, and effort to move stuff you won\u2019t be able to use.<\/li>\n
- Find creative ways to deal with your sentimental items, <\/strong>from children\u2019s drawings to ancient t-shirts or boxes with old pictures and magazines. Instead of packing up all that stuff, maybe you could take pictures of the most significant items or use them in collages or other artsy projects. This way, you\u2019ll manage to enjoy their sentimental value even more, without having to transfer so much stuff.<\/li>\n
- Use the things you like instead of saving them for an undefined future \u2013 <\/strong>many of us tend to \u201csave\u201d stuff that we love, such as a nice bedding set, tableware, and so on. Well, what better time to use your favorite items than when moving into a new home? Leave your old, tattered items behind and enjoy the new ones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]
\nWhat do you do with the things you no longer need?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nNow that you finished decluttering your home, you\u2019re left with an appreciable amount of personal and household possessions you have to deal with. There are several ways to get rid of the things you no longer need:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
\n- \n
\n- \n
\n- Donate the clothes<\/strong> to charitable organizations such as Goodwill<\/a> or Salvation Army<\/a>. Both organizations are easily accessible throughout the country and have excellent track records with their charitable work. If you have shoes to donate, consider Soles4Souls<\/a>, an initiative helping people in developing countries to launch their own businesses selling donated shoes and clothing, and it\u2019s also distributing shoes and clothing to people in need in the US and worldwide.<\/li>\n
- Donate the books <\/strong>you no longer need to local libraries or to organizations such as Reader to Reader<\/a>, or check the book donation map of America<\/a> to find the nearest organization that accepts such items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Donate furniture, appliances and electronics <\/strong>to Habitat for Humanity ReStore<\/a>, where your items get a new life instead of ending up in a landfill.<\/li>\n
- Organize a garage sale.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- List your items for sale <\/strong>online, whether it\u2019s Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or other similar websites.<\/li>\n
- Ask family and friends <\/strong>whether they want some of the stuff you no longer need.<\/li>\n
- Recycle <\/strong>the items that are not suitable to be sold or donated. Contact your local waste management company or local authorities to find out how you can dispose correctly of bulkier items like furniture, appliances, and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n
<\/span>3. Start packing<\/span><\/h2>\nActual packing can start a few weeks prior to moving day, as it\u2019s a laborious task that usually takes much longer than people estimate. Of course, if you want an early start on packing, you should begin with items you don\u2019t use on daily basis, such as winter clothing if you\u2019re moving in the middle of the summer, for example. There are different packing strategies, so pick the one that suits your needs best:<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>By Category \u2013 the Marie Kondo way<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nFollowing the logic of the Marie Kondo decluttering method, you can pack your home by category: clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items and sentimental items. This approach works best when you have only a few days left for packing, as it provides an easy-to-follow plan and allows you to declutter as you pack, if you haven\u2019t yet had the chance. By packing all the clothing in your home in one go, it\u2019s easy to spot and discard the items you no longer need \u2013 and the same is true for each category of belongings.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
<\/span>By Room<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nPacking by room is another strategy that allows you to start the process ahead of time. You can pack first the areas of your home you don\u2019t use so often \u2014 for example, basement, attic and garage \u2014 followed by guest bedrooms, the dining room and the living room. Pack the kitchen, bathrooms, and the bedrooms used by family members last, as you need and use those spaces the most.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
<\/span>By Family Type and Needs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nFind the packing method that works the best for your family. If, for example, you have small children, maybe the best course of action could be to ask a friend or family member to babysit during the weekend prior to the move and do the bulk of the packing then. On the other hand, if your children are teenagers, ask them to pack their own bedrooms how they see fit, while you deal with the rest of the home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/picture>\n<\/span>Supplies you need for packing up your home<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nYou\u2019ll need an assortment of boxes, plus other supplies, to help you pack everything safely and orderly. Here are the packing supplies you must have by the time you start packing:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
\n- Small, medium and large moving boxes<\/li>\n
- Wardrobe boxes<\/li>\n
- Wooden crates for heavy items<\/li>\n
- Packing tape<\/li>\n
- Styrofoam and\/or packing peanuts for protecting fragile items. Alternatively, you can use old newspapers, sheets, towels, and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Stretch wrap<\/li>\n
- Markers and labels<\/li>\n
- A dolly for moving heavy items. If you\u2019re using a moving company, they will have one. If you\u2019re renting a moving truck, ask the company about also renting a tow dolly. Otherwise, you could purchase a simple, inexpensive one that still gets the job done.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n<\/picture>\nThe number of boxes you need depends, obviously, on the number of bedrooms you have and the size of your household. Here\u2019s how to approximate how many boxes you need for your home:<\/p>\n
\n- Calculate approx. 5 small boxes, 5 medium and 5 large boxes for each bedroom, plus a couple of wardrobe boxes if needed. Wardrobe boxes allow you to pack hanging clothes without wrinkling them. One wardrobe box generally holds approx. 20 inches of closet space, so, if your hanging closet is 40 inches in length, you need two wardrobe boxes.<\/li>\n
- For a family-sized kitchen, you need about 10 small boxes, 6 medium boxes and another 6 large boxes. You should also get a few dish barrel boxes that allow you to transport your breakable items (glasses, mugs, plates, and so on) safely.<\/li>\n
- Packing the average living room requires up to 5 small boxes, around 4 medium boxes, and another 3-4 large boxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>How to efficiently pack your kitchen<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nThe kitchen is, understandably, one of the most difficult rooms to pack. On the one hand, it contains a lot of stuff and, on the other, you need to use it until moving day. Here are some simple rules that will make packing your kitchen a lot easier:<\/p>\n
\n- Check out your fridge, freezer and pantry and try to eat all the food you have before moving, instead of buying more food or ordering take out.<\/li>\n
- Use sturdy boxes for breakable and fragile items, such as china, mugs, cups and small appliances.<\/li>\n
- Set aside the essential items you need to use until the last moment: a few dishes, cutlery, cups, a toaster, your coffee maker, dish soap and some kitchen towels. Pack those only on moving day, in one box, and label the box properly, to make sure you find your kitchen essentials easily in your new home.<\/li>\n
- Empty and defrost your fridge and freezer the day before moving day. Wash them thoroughly inside and out and allow the interior to dry off completely before closing the doors in order to avoid musty smells. Then, tape the doors shut to prevent potential damages during transportation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you\u2019re left with a supply of unperishable foods that you don\u2019t want to take with you, contact a local soup kitchen or other charitable organization and donate that food.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/span>Things to remember while packing:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n- Don\u2019t overstuff the moving boxes, as they might tear apart during transportation.<\/li>\n
- The heavier the moving boxes are, the more complicated the move is, particularly if it\u2019s a DIY move. Favor small and medium boxes over large and extra-large ones as much as possible.<\/li>\n
- Use sturdy boxes or wooden crates for heavy items like books or tableware.<\/li>\n
- Protect electronics and appliances with bubble wrap, packing peanuts, old newspapers or other soft, protective materials.<\/li>\n
- Use stretch wrap to protect your furniture from scratches, and use corner protectors, particularly for expensive furniture that you can\u2019t disassemble for moving.<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s a lot easier to move flatpack furniture if you disassemble it.<\/li>\n
- Label all your boxes. Buy colored markers and assign colors for each room \u2013 red for living room, green for kitchen and so on. If you\u2019re planning to stick labels on your boxes, make sure they are good quality and don\u2019t peel off during transportation.<\/li>\n
- Be detailed when labeling the boxes \u2013 don\u2019t simply write \u201ckitchen\u201d on a box but also add a small inventory of what the box actually contains. For example, \u201ckitchen cups and mugs.\u201d That will help a lot when unpacking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Where to store packed items until moving day \u2013 and after<\/span><\/h3>\nStarting to pack ahead of time makes moving easier to manage \u2013 however, it doesn\u2019t make a lot of sense to keep your already packed stuff, be it furniture, appliances, or clothing, inside your current home. Instead, rent a self storage unit<\/a> located close to your future home and take your packed items there. In case of long-distance moves, it\u2019s important to know that many self storage facilities accept deliveries, which means you can ship some of your things close to your future home prior to moving day.<\/p>\nIf your new home is not yet move-in ready, you can store all your stuff until you are done with all the remodeling work<\/em><\/strong>. Here\u2019s how to decide what size of storage unit you need:<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n\n- A 10×10 unit is enough to store the belongings from a studio apartment or from a small one-bedroom apartment.<\/li>\n
- A 10×15 storage unit can hold the furniture and the other belongings from a regular 2- or 3-bedroom house or apartment.<\/li>\n
- The 10×20 storage unit is about the size of a one-car garage, and you can fit into it the entire contents of a fairly large home (3+ bedrooms).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Things to keep for personal transportation<\/span><\/h3>\nThere are a few categories of items you shouldn\u2019t pack in the moving truck, for safety reasons, as you don\u2019t want them to be damaged or lost. Here\u2019s a list of the things to keep for personal transportation:<\/p>\n
\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n
Moving is not the easiest feat: It requires careful planning and task coordination. Having it all thought out and prepared beforehand can make the difference between a hectic process and a hassle-free move. Read our advice and check the (virtual) boxes below and moving will start to seem like a nice adventure, one that you can embrace and enjoy.<\/p>\n
<\/span>1. Planning your move<\/span><\/h2>\nFirst things first: you need a planner to jot down the details of the move \u2013 whether a simple word doc on your smartphone, a Google doc, or a printable planner. Think of this list as a command center which will help you stay on top of things, making sure you\u2019ve completed all the steps and there\u2019s nothing you overlooked.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Save the date<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nThe next step while planning your move is to decide on the date of the move. Seasonality affects the costs, especially if you\u2019re hiring professional movers. Many people choose to move during weekends and during summer months, so, due to high demand, most moving companies also have higher rates in these time slots.<\/p>\n
Choosing a weekday and an off-season month (November through March) for your move will usually translate into lower moving costs<\/strong>. However, there are other factors to consider, like the weather, which is generally less \u201cmoving-friendly\u201d during autumn and winter for most parts of the country. Then there\u2019s the traffic, which might be busier during weekdays than during weekends.<\/p>\n<\/span>Hiring a moving company vs. a DIY move<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nHiring a moving company saves you a lot of stress and trouble, particularly for a long-distance move. Relying on professional movers will let you eliminate a few steps of the moving checklist as they\u2019ll take care of things like the following:<\/p>\n
\n- Supplying packing materials and packing your stuff for transportation, including furniture disassembly when needed.<\/li>\n
- Truck loading, transporting your belongings to the new location, and unloading everything.<\/li>\n
- Keeping on schedule with the move, obtaining moving permits if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It\u2019s often a good idea to book the moving company about two or even three months in advance<\/strong>. This way, you can be sure that the company you prefer is available on your moving day. Postponing this step for a month or less prior to the moving day means your choice of movers will be limited. Make sure you ask for quotes from at least three moving companies before booking one<\/strong>.<\/p>\nHiring professional movers, however, can be more expensive than going with a DIY move. If you decide to take care of the move yourself, make sure you include everything when calculating the costs of your move, including:<\/p>\n
\n- The time you take off work<\/li>\n
- The cost of the rental truck<\/li>\n
- The cost of fuel<\/li>\n
- Cost of moving supplies<\/li>\n
- The cost of lodging and food along the way<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It\u2019s also important to consider the right moving truck size for your needs as this might help you save some money. A truck that\u2019s too small means you\u2019re squashing your belongings together and you risk damaging them. Renting a moving truck that\u2019s too big, on the other hand, is a waste of money. Here\u2019s how to choose the right truck size for your needs:<\/p>\n
\n- A 10 to 12 ft. truck is suitable when moving a small apartment and can hold around five pieces of furniture and up to 50 moving boxes.<\/li>\n
- A 14 to 17 ft. moving truck is normally enough for a 2-bedroom home, and you can load it with about 10 pieces of large furniture and up to 100 moving boxes.<\/li>\n
- A 20 to 24 ft. moving truck works for a 3-bedroom home and you can fit inside around 15 pieces of furniture and up to 150 moving boxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/picture>\n<\/span>Moving permit \u2013 do you need one or not?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nYou might need a moving permit, depending on the place you\u2019re moving to. The moving permit offers you the right to temporarily park large vehicles such as the moving truck in a certain location during specific times of the day. This type of permit is required particularly in big cities such as New York City, Chicago and Boston \u2013 however, regardless of where you move to, you should contact the local administration and ask about whether such a permit is required. If you\u2019re hiring a moving company, they usually deal with the permit themselves.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Services to cancel, transfer and arrange<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nContact your utility and service providers to learn details about how and when to cancel or transfer all those services and utilities. You don\u2019t want to pay an extra month at your old address for not canceling a service on time, nor do you want to move to your new home and lack some essential services. Here are the utility and service providers you should contact in both locations \u2013 your old home and the new one:
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n
\n- Water<\/li>\n
- Electricity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth]
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n
\n- Gas<\/li>\n
- Cable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth]
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n
\n- Internet<\/li>\n
- Phone\/cell phone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth]
\n[one_fourth_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Garbage collection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_fourth_last]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Change your USPS address<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nChanging your USPS address before moving saves you missing bills, notifications, deliveries, and other important documents sent by mail.<\/p>\n
Changing the address is pretty simple and straightforward: go to the dedicated USPS web page<\/a> and follow the instructions. You will have to list your contact information \u2013 full name, phone number and email \u2013 and to fill in the old address and the new one. Also, you have to choose the date when USPS should start forwarding your mail to your new address. The date you enter must not be more than 30 days prior to the moment when you\u2019re filling out the form, or more than 3 months after.<\/p>\n<\/span>Drawing a budget<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nMoving is definitely expensive and it\u2019s important that you put together a detailed budget \u2013 it will help you, on one hand, to understand how much money you actually need and, therefore, to start saving ahead of time. On the other hand, it will help you keep those costs under control. Here are the things you should factor into your budget when planning your move:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
\n- Cost of hiring a moving company<\/strong> \u2013 make sure you learn what\u2019s included and what\u2019s not included in the price quote. Some companies include things like moving supplies, packing, and unpacking services in their price quote, while others do not. While you might be attracted by a lower price, also be sure that you understand exactly what services that price will get you. Also, ask for quotes from several moving companies before hiring one.<\/li>\n
- Cost of renting a moving truck <\/strong>if you prefer a DIY move, plus cost of fuel for the truck.<\/li>\n
- Moving supplies costs <\/strong>\u2013 different types of boxes, tape, plastic and bubble wrap, markers, labels, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Equipment rental <\/strong>\u2013 you might need a dolly to load up heavy items, or other electrical tools to disassemble your furniture.<\/li>\n
- Insurance costs <\/strong>\u2013 you might want to get extra insurance for your belongings, on top of what the moving company or the truck rental company is offering. If you are planning to move valuable items \u2014 for example, artwork, antiques, musical instruments and expensive furniture \u2014 extra insurance is highly recommended.<\/li>\n
- Moving permit <\/strong><\/li>\n
- Fuel, lodging, food and parking costs <\/strong>in case you\u2019re driving your own car to your new home. These costs add up quickly in the case of long-distance moves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Vehicle shipping costs<\/strong> if you decide to ship your cars.<\/li>\n
- Cleaning costs <\/strong>for both your old and new homes.<\/li>\n
- Cost of taking time off work <\/strong>to organize and complete your move.<\/li>\n
- Storage unit costs<\/a>, <\/strong>as you\u2019ll most likely need to store some of your items before and after the move, as you pack up your old home and until the new home is ready.<\/li>\n
- Childcare and\/or pet care costs <\/strong>on moving day.<\/li>\n
- Setting up utilities at your new home <\/strong>\u2013 some companies require fees for setting up services such as Internet, cable, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Remodeling costs <\/strong>\u2013 that really depends on the situation, but, even if the new home doesn\u2019t need a lot of work, you might still want to paint some walls, improve the backyard and so on. It\u2019s smart to set aside some money for such small projects.<\/li>\n
- Furniture and appliances updates <\/strong>\u2013 your existing furniture and appliances might not fit into your new home, and you might have to buy new items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n
To help you understand all the ramifications and the importance of calculating a detailed budget, we came up with an example for one of the country\u2019s most popular moving routes, California to Texas<\/a>, or, more precisely, San Francisco <\/strong>to Austin<\/strong>.<\/p>\nWe calculated the budget for moving an average sized home (2-3 bedrooms) based on the categories of expenses listed above. Both types of moves were considered \u2013 hiring a moving company or DIYing the move. We obtained price estimates from several companies for each expense in the budget where it applies. We did not include remodeling costs and furniture and appliances updates, as they are not necessarily a part of the moving process, and usually vary widely, depending on the situation.<\/p>\n<\/picture>\nBased on our calculations, a DIY move is indeed more affordable \u2013 relocating this way from San Francisco, California, to Austin, Texas, including all the associated expenses, results in an overall cost of around $5,500. If you\u2019re hiring a moving company, you should expect to pay a little under $10,000, but, on the other hand, there\u2019s a lot less work involved in the process.<\/p>\n
This calculation is obviously just an example, but it clearly shows why it\u2019s important to put everything in your budget: costs do add up quickly, even for apparently small things like paying a babysitter.<\/p>\n
<\/span>2. Decluttering<\/span><\/h2>\nDecluttering is one of the most important steps of a successful, stress-free move. Besides distance, the quantity of stuff you are transporting from one home to the other is the most important indicator of how expensive that move is going to be. By taking the time to declutter thoroughly, you are making your move simpler and less expensive. Here\u2019s how to tackle your home\u2019s decluttering<\/strong>:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- \n
\n- Start early on<\/strong> \u2013 two months before the moving date is a good moment to begin the decluttering process. This way, by the time you start packing, your belongings will already be sorted out.<\/li>\n
- Start decluttering from the outside in<\/strong> \u2013 this means starting with auxiliary spaces such as the garage, basement, attic, garden shed, and so on. These spaces are usually the most cluttered in a home, as people tend to banish the items they no longer need and use there, whether they are furniture, electronics, appliances, toys and books, clothes, and so on.<\/li>\n
- Once you have cleared up those spaces, it\u2019s time to start decluttering indoors<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Go through your closets<\/strong> with a critical eye and let go of all the items you haven\u2019t worn in a while. A year is a commonly used timeframe when deciding whether you should keep a certain piece of clothing or let it go \u2013 if you haven\u2019t worn it for an entire year, you probably don\u2019t need it.<\/li>\n
- Keep only one of the same type of items \u2013 <\/strong>if, for example, you have two lawnmowers that do the same job, or two kitchen blenders, keep the one you like most and give up on the other.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- \n
\n- \n
\n- Make sure your furniture and appliances <\/strong>fit into your new home. Keep to hand detailed measurements of the sizes of the rooms and the widths of door frames in your future home. Then, for each item, check whether you\u2019ll be able to get it into its new room and if it will fit properly in there. It\u2019s a waste of time, money, and effort to move stuff you won\u2019t be able to use.<\/li>\n
- Find creative ways to deal with your sentimental items, <\/strong>from children\u2019s drawings to ancient t-shirts or boxes with old pictures and magazines. Instead of packing up all that stuff, maybe you could take pictures of the most significant items or use them in collages or other artsy projects. This way, you\u2019ll manage to enjoy their sentimental value even more, without having to transfer so much stuff.<\/li>\n
- Use the things you like instead of saving them for an undefined future \u2013 <\/strong>many of us tend to \u201csave\u201d stuff that we love, such as a nice bedding set, tableware, and so on. Well, what better time to use your favorite items than when moving into a new home? Leave your old, tattered items behind and enjoy the new ones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]
\nWhat do you do with the things you no longer need?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nNow that you finished decluttering your home, you\u2019re left with an appreciable amount of personal and household possessions you have to deal with. There are several ways to get rid of the things you no longer need:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
\n- \n
\n- \n
\n- Donate the clothes<\/strong> to charitable organizations such as Goodwill<\/a> or Salvation Army<\/a>. Both organizations are easily accessible throughout the country and have excellent track records with their charitable work. If you have shoes to donate, consider Soles4Souls<\/a>, an initiative helping people in developing countries to launch their own businesses selling donated shoes and clothing, and it\u2019s also distributing shoes and clothing to people in need in the US and worldwide.<\/li>\n
- Donate the books <\/strong>you no longer need to local libraries or to organizations such as Reader to Reader<\/a>, or check the book donation map of America<\/a> to find the nearest organization that accepts such items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Donate furniture, appliances and electronics <\/strong>to Habitat for Humanity ReStore<\/a>, where your items get a new life instead of ending up in a landfill.<\/li>\n
- Organize a garage sale.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- List your items for sale <\/strong>online, whether it\u2019s Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or other similar websites.<\/li>\n
- Ask family and friends <\/strong>whether they want some of the stuff you no longer need.<\/li>\n
- Recycle <\/strong>the items that are not suitable to be sold or donated. Contact your local waste management company or local authorities to find out how you can dispose correctly of bulkier items like furniture, appliances, and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n
<\/span>3. Start packing<\/span><\/h2>\nActual packing can start a few weeks prior to moving day, as it\u2019s a laborious task that usually takes much longer than people estimate. Of course, if you want an early start on packing, you should begin with items you don\u2019t use on daily basis, such as winter clothing if you\u2019re moving in the middle of the summer, for example. There are different packing strategies, so pick the one that suits your needs best:<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>By Category \u2013 the Marie Kondo way<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nFollowing the logic of the Marie Kondo decluttering method, you can pack your home by category: clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items and sentimental items. This approach works best when you have only a few days left for packing, as it provides an easy-to-follow plan and allows you to declutter as you pack, if you haven\u2019t yet had the chance. By packing all the clothing in your home in one go, it\u2019s easy to spot and discard the items you no longer need \u2013 and the same is true for each category of belongings.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
<\/span>By Room<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nPacking by room is another strategy that allows you to start the process ahead of time. You can pack first the areas of your home you don\u2019t use so often \u2014 for example, basement, attic and garage \u2014 followed by guest bedrooms, the dining room and the living room. Pack the kitchen, bathrooms, and the bedrooms used by family members last, as you need and use those spaces the most.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
<\/span>By Family Type and Needs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nFind the packing method that works the best for your family. If, for example, you have small children, maybe the best course of action could be to ask a friend or family member to babysit during the weekend prior to the move and do the bulk of the packing then. On the other hand, if your children are teenagers, ask them to pack their own bedrooms how they see fit, while you deal with the rest of the home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/picture>\n<\/span>Supplies you need for packing up your home<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nYou\u2019ll need an assortment of boxes, plus other supplies, to help you pack everything safely and orderly. Here are the packing supplies you must have by the time you start packing:
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n
\n- Small, medium and large moving boxes<\/li>\n
- Wardrobe boxes<\/li>\n
- Wooden crates for heavy items<\/li>\n
- Packing tape<\/li>\n
- Styrofoam and\/or packing peanuts for protecting fragile items. Alternatively, you can use old newspapers, sheets, towels, and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half]
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n
\n- Stretch wrap<\/li>\n
- Markers and labels<\/li>\n
- A dolly for moving heavy items. If you\u2019re using a moving company, they will have one. If you\u2019re renting a moving truck, ask the company about also renting a tow dolly. Otherwise, you could purchase a simple, inexpensive one that still gets the job done.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n<\/picture>\nThe number of boxes you need depends, obviously, on the number of bedrooms you have and the size of your household. Here\u2019s how to approximate how many boxes you need for your home:<\/p>\n
\n- Calculate approx. 5 small boxes, 5 medium and 5 large boxes for each bedroom, plus a couple of wardrobe boxes if needed. Wardrobe boxes allow you to pack hanging clothes without wrinkling them. One wardrobe box generally holds approx. 20 inches of closet space, so, if your hanging closet is 40 inches in length, you need two wardrobe boxes.<\/li>\n
- For a family-sized kitchen, you need about 10 small boxes, 6 medium boxes and another 6 large boxes. You should also get a few dish barrel boxes that allow you to transport your breakable items (glasses, mugs, plates, and so on) safely.<\/li>\n
- Packing the average living room requires up to 5 small boxes, around 4 medium boxes, and another 3-4 large boxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>How to efficiently pack your kitchen<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nThe kitchen is, understandably, one of the most difficult rooms to pack. On the one hand, it contains a lot of stuff and, on the other, you need to use it until moving day. Here are some simple rules that will make packing your kitchen a lot easier:<\/p>\n
\n- Check out your fridge, freezer and pantry and try to eat all the food you have before moving, instead of buying more food or ordering take out.<\/li>\n
- Use sturdy boxes for breakable and fragile items, such as china, mugs, cups and small appliances.<\/li>\n
- Set aside the essential items you need to use until the last moment: a few dishes, cutlery, cups, a toaster, your coffee maker, dish soap and some kitchen towels. Pack those only on moving day, in one box, and label the box properly, to make sure you find your kitchen essentials easily in your new home.<\/li>\n
- Empty and defrost your fridge and freezer the day before moving day. Wash them thoroughly inside and out and allow the interior to dry off completely before closing the doors in order to avoid musty smells. Then, tape the doors shut to prevent potential damages during transportation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you\u2019re left with a supply of unperishable foods that you don\u2019t want to take with you, contact a local soup kitchen or other charitable organization and donate that food.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/span>Things to remember while packing:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n- Don\u2019t overstuff the moving boxes, as they might tear apart during transportation.<\/li>\n
- The heavier the moving boxes are, the more complicated the move is, particularly if it\u2019s a DIY move. Favor small and medium boxes over large and extra-large ones as much as possible.<\/li>\n
- Use sturdy boxes or wooden crates for heavy items like books or tableware.<\/li>\n
- Protect electronics and appliances with bubble wrap, packing peanuts, old newspapers or other soft, protective materials.<\/li>\n
- Use stretch wrap to protect your furniture from scratches, and use corner protectors, particularly for expensive furniture that you can\u2019t disassemble for moving.<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s a lot easier to move flatpack furniture if you disassemble it.<\/li>\n
- Label all your boxes. Buy colored markers and assign colors for each room \u2013 red for living room, green for kitchen and so on. If you\u2019re planning to stick labels on your boxes, make sure they are good quality and don\u2019t peel off during transportation.<\/li>\n
- Be detailed when labeling the boxes \u2013 don\u2019t simply write \u201ckitchen\u201d on a box but also add a small inventory of what the box actually contains. For example, \u201ckitchen cups and mugs.\u201d That will help a lot when unpacking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Where to store packed items until moving day \u2013 and after<\/span><\/h3>\nStarting to pack ahead of time makes moving easier to manage \u2013 however, it doesn\u2019t make a lot of sense to keep your already packed stuff, be it furniture, appliances, or clothing, inside your current home. Instead, rent a self storage unit<\/a> located close to your future home and take your packed items there. In case of long-distance moves, it\u2019s important to know that many self storage facilities accept deliveries, which means you can ship some of your things close to your future home prior to moving day.<\/p>\nIf your new home is not yet move-in ready, you can store all your stuff until you are done with all the remodeling work<\/em><\/strong>. Here\u2019s how to decide what size of storage unit you need:<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n\n- A 10×10 unit is enough to store the belongings from a studio apartment or from a small one-bedroom apartment.<\/li>\n
- A 10×15 storage unit can hold the furniture and the other belongings from a regular 2- or 3-bedroom house or apartment.<\/li>\n
- The 10×20 storage unit is about the size of a one-car garage, and you can fit into it the entire contents of a fairly large home (3+ bedrooms).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Things to keep for personal transportation<\/span><\/h3>\nThere are a few categories of items you shouldn\u2019t pack in the moving truck, for safety reasons, as you don\u2019t want them to be damaged or lost. Here\u2019s a list of the things to keep for personal transportation:<\/p>\n
\n
The next step while planning your move is to decide on the date of the move. Seasonality affects the costs, especially if you\u2019re hiring professional movers. Many people choose to move during weekends and during summer months, so, due to high demand, most moving companies also have higher rates in these time slots.<\/p>\n
Choosing a weekday and an off-season month (November through March) for your move will usually translate into lower moving costs<\/strong>. However, there are other factors to consider, like the weather, which is generally less \u201cmoving-friendly\u201d during autumn and winter for most parts of the country. Then there\u2019s the traffic, which might be busier during weekdays than during weekends.<\/p>\n Hiring a moving company saves you a lot of stress and trouble, particularly for a long-distance move. Relying on professional movers will let you eliminate a few steps of the moving checklist as they\u2019ll take care of things like the following:<\/p>\n It\u2019s often a good idea to book the moving company about two or even three months in advance<\/strong>. This way, you can be sure that the company you prefer is available on your moving day. Postponing this step for a month or less prior to the moving day means your choice of movers will be limited. Make sure you ask for quotes from at least three moving companies before booking one<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Hiring professional movers, however, can be more expensive than going with a DIY move. If you decide to take care of the move yourself, make sure you include everything when calculating the costs of your move, including:<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to consider the right moving truck size for your needs as this might help you save some money. A truck that\u2019s too small means you\u2019re squashing your belongings together and you risk damaging them. Renting a moving truck that\u2019s too big, on the other hand, is a waste of money. Here\u2019s how to choose the right truck size for your needs:<\/p>\n You might need a moving permit, depending on the place you\u2019re moving to. The moving permit offers you the right to temporarily park large vehicles such as the moving truck in a certain location during specific times of the day. This type of permit is required particularly in big cities such as New York City, Chicago and Boston \u2013 however, regardless of where you move to, you should contact the local administration and ask about whether such a permit is required. If you\u2019re hiring a moving company, they usually deal with the permit themselves.<\/p>\n Contact your utility and service providers to learn details about how and when to cancel or transfer all those services and utilities. You don\u2019t want to pay an extra month at your old address for not canceling a service on time, nor do you want to move to your new home and lack some essential services. Here are the utility and service providers you should contact in both locations \u2013 your old home and the new one: [\/one_fourth] [\/one_fourth] [\/one_fourth] [\/one_fourth_last]<\/p>\n Changing your USPS address before moving saves you missing bills, notifications, deliveries, and other important documents sent by mail.<\/p>\n Changing the address is pretty simple and straightforward: go to the dedicated USPS web page<\/a> and follow the instructions. You will have to list your contact information \u2013 full name, phone number and email \u2013 and to fill in the old address and the new one. Also, you have to choose the date when USPS should start forwarding your mail to your new address. The date you enter must not be more than 30 days prior to the moment when you\u2019re filling out the form, or more than 3 months after.<\/p>\n Moving is definitely expensive and it\u2019s important that you put together a detailed budget \u2013 it will help you, on one hand, to understand how much money you actually need and, therefore, to start saving ahead of time. On the other hand, it will help you keep those costs under control. Here are the things you should factor into your budget when planning your move: [\/one_half] [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n To help you understand all the ramifications and the importance of calculating a detailed budget, we came up with an example for one of the country\u2019s most popular moving routes, California to Texas<\/a>, or, more precisely, San Francisco <\/strong>to Austin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We calculated the budget for moving an average sized home (2-3 bedrooms) based on the categories of expenses listed above. Both types of moves were considered \u2013 hiring a moving company or DIYing the move. We obtained price estimates from several companies for each expense in the budget where it applies. We did not include remodeling costs and furniture and appliances updates, as they are not necessarily a part of the moving process, and usually vary widely, depending on the situation.<\/p>\n Based on our calculations, a DIY move is indeed more affordable \u2013 relocating this way from San Francisco, California, to Austin, Texas, including all the associated expenses, results in an overall cost of around $5,500. If you\u2019re hiring a moving company, you should expect to pay a little under $10,000, but, on the other hand, there\u2019s a lot less work involved in the process.<\/p>\n This calculation is obviously just an example, but it clearly shows why it\u2019s important to put everything in your budget: costs do add up quickly, even for apparently small things like paying a babysitter.<\/p>\n Decluttering is one of the most important steps of a successful, stress-free move. Besides distance, the quantity of stuff you are transporting from one home to the other is the most important indicator of how expensive that move is going to be. By taking the time to declutter thoroughly, you are making your move simpler and less expensive. Here\u2019s how to tackle your home\u2019s decluttering<\/strong>: [\/one_half] [\/one_half_last] Now that you finished decluttering your home, you\u2019re left with an appreciable amount of personal and household possessions you have to deal with. There are several ways to get rid of the things you no longer need: [\/one_half] [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n Actual packing can start a few weeks prior to moving day, as it\u2019s a laborious task that usually takes much longer than people estimate. Of course, if you want an early start on packing, you should begin with items you don\u2019t use on daily basis, such as winter clothing if you\u2019re moving in the middle of the summer, for example. There are different packing strategies, so pick the one that suits your needs best:<\/p>\n Following the logic of the Marie Kondo decluttering method, you can pack your home by category: clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items and sentimental items. This approach works best when you have only a few days left for packing, as it provides an easy-to-follow plan and allows you to declutter as you pack, if you haven\u2019t yet had the chance. By packing all the clothing in your home in one go, it\u2019s easy to spot and discard the items you no longer need \u2013 and the same is true for each category of belongings.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> Packing by room is another strategy that allows you to start the process ahead of time. You can pack first the areas of your home you don\u2019t use so often \u2014 for example, basement, attic and garage \u2014 followed by guest bedrooms, the dining room and the living room. Pack the kitchen, bathrooms, and the bedrooms used by family members last, as you need and use those spaces the most.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> Find the packing method that works the best for your family. If, for example, you have small children, maybe the best course of action could be to ask a friend or family member to babysit during the weekend prior to the move and do the bulk of the packing then. On the other hand, if your children are teenagers, ask them to pack their own bedrooms how they see fit, while you deal with the rest of the home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n You\u2019ll need an assortment of boxes, plus other supplies, to help you pack everything safely and orderly. Here are the packing supplies you must have by the time you start packing: [\/one_half] [\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n The number of boxes you need depends, obviously, on the number of bedrooms you have and the size of your household. Here\u2019s how to approximate how many boxes you need for your home:<\/p>\n The kitchen is, understandably, one of the most difficult rooms to pack. On the one hand, it contains a lot of stuff and, on the other, you need to use it until moving day. Here are some simple rules that will make packing your kitchen a lot easier:<\/p>\n If you\u2019re left with a supply of unperishable foods that you don\u2019t want to take with you, contact a local soup kitchen or other charitable organization and donate that food.<\/em><\/p>\n Starting to pack ahead of time makes moving easier to manage \u2013 however, it doesn\u2019t make a lot of sense to keep your already packed stuff, be it furniture, appliances, or clothing, inside your current home. Instead, rent a self storage unit<\/a> located close to your future home and take your packed items there. In case of long-distance moves, it\u2019s important to know that many self storage facilities accept deliveries, which means you can ship some of your things close to your future home prior to moving day.<\/p>\n If your new home is not yet move-in ready, you can store all your stuff until you are done with all the remodeling work<\/em><\/strong>. Here\u2019s how to decide what size of storage unit you need:<\/p>\n There are a few categories of items you shouldn\u2019t pack in the moving truck, for safety reasons, as you don\u2019t want them to be damaged or lost. Here\u2019s a list of the things to keep for personal transportation:<\/p>\n<\/span>Hiring a moving company vs. a DIY move<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2021\/11\/Moving-guide_layouts_Mobile-copy-4-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n<\/span>Moving permit \u2013 do you need one or not?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Services to cancel, transfer and arrange<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n\n
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n\n
\n[one_fourth]<\/p>\n\n
\n[one_fourth_last]<\/p>\n\n
<\/span>Change your USPS address<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Drawing a budget<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n\n
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2021\/11\/Moving-guide_layouts_Mobile-copy-5-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n<\/span>2. Decluttering<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\nWhat do you do with the things you no longer need?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n\n
<\/span>3. Start packing<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>By Category \u2013 the Marie Kondo way<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>By Room<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>By Family Type and Needs<\/span><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2021\/11\/Moving-guide_layouts_Mobile-copy-2-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n<\/span>Supplies you need for packing up your home<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n[one_half]<\/p>\n\n
\n[one_half_last]<\/p>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2021\/11\/Moving-guide_layouts_Mobile-copy-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>\n\n
<\/span>How to efficiently pack your kitchen<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
<\/span>Things to remember while packing:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
<\/span>Where to store packed items until moving day \u2013 and after<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/picture>\n\n
<\/span>Things to keep for personal transportation<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n