Moving Advice

Moving can be difficult. These tips will help you make it easier.

1. Start early-  Almost everyone has more stuff than they think they do, and almost no one leaves enough time to pack it.
2. You can start planning ASAP if you use this old-school tool. Set reminders for everything from canceling magazine subscriptions to planning ways to use up food from your refrigerator. It will keep you from scrambling to get things done at the last minute and help you work more efficiently along the way.
3. Plan a move without a budget and you might feel the pinch later. Expenses tend to creep in quickly and quietly, so keep a file for everything, no matter how small. Why is this so important? You'll thank yourself next tax season when most of these items can be written off! Account for everything from the boxes and movers to the rug shampoo and packing paper.
4. Only hire the best-  If you choose to hire professional movers, do your research and hire good ones.  Poor quality movers really can be worse than none at all.
5. Moving is tough work, physically and emotionally, and you deserve a break. Plan to enjoy a special event in your new home, even if it's just takeout from a restaurant in your new neighborhood. You don't want your first night in your new home to be a stressful one. A little preparation goes a long way - if you can, visit your new home before moving day. Stock the fridge with champagne and do some research online to find out what the popular restaurants are in your area.
6. Price- Price isn't the only factor- extremely low bids indicate a desperate mover. Get a "Binding Not-To-Exceed" estimate. Ask for written "Binding Not-To-Exceed" estimates that legally bind the movers to the costs they charge.
7. For large appliances be sure to check your owner’s manuals to see if there are special instructions for moving.
8. Use only small boxes for books. They get very heavy, very fast.
9. Move on a weekday when banks, utilities and government offices are open. A lot of movers also offer a lower per mile rate on weekdays.
10. Choose a 'packing room' ahead of time and box up a few things each day.
11. You really can't over-label when it comes to moving. Consider numbering your boxes and keeping a reference list. That way, if you need to find something, you'll know which box number to look for. Some movers will even color code each box to its appropriate room. Make your labels highly visible. Mark boxes on their tops and sides so you can read them even if they're vertically stacked.