Moving Tips

Getting ready for a big move? Trust the experts at bymovers.com to help with all the moving tips and packing tips you need to keep your move as stress-free as possible.

Before You Begin

•  Decide if you'll be packing and moving yourself or hiring a company. If you're going to be moving yourself, begin looking into truck rental rates. If you decide to hire movers, do your homework before settling on a specific company. Start with our full moving tips checklist at Lowe's Moving.

•  Buy all your packing supplies. You'll need plenty of moving boxes in various sizes, newspaper, bubble wrap, permanent markers, and lots of heavy-duty tape.

•  Get your paperwork in order. Transfer school records, file a change of address card with the post office, and schedule utility disconnection at your old home and reconnection at your new home. Don't pack important documents and records like medical/dental papers, legal and financial documents, birth certificates, passports, and insurance paperwork. Either keep these papers with you or arrange to have them delivered by secure courier.

•  Throw away, sell, or donate excess belongings. Now is the perfect time to de-clutter your house. Don't pack it unless you use it, love it, and can't live without it. Also, return any borrowed items and retrieve any belongings that you've loaned out.

Packing Tips

•  Pack smart. Select the right moving boxes; use sturdy boxes and heavy-duty packing tape. Don't fill a large box with heavy items; boxes should weigh less than 50 pounds each. Wrap fragile items securely with bubble wrap, newspaper, sheets, or towels. Fill boxes to prevent shifting in transit; you can stuff small fabric items like dish towels, socks, and scarves into crevices.

•  Label all boxes. As you label each box, write its contents down on an inventory sheet. You can refer to this sheet later for a detailed description of the box's contents.

•  Create a box of essentials. This box will be first thing you unpack and will help you feel right at home on the first night in your new house. Include all-purpose cleaner, paper towels, snacks, pet food, medications, paper plates/cups/napkins, garbage bags, shower curtain, towels, toiletries, first-aid kit, a box cutter, basic tool kit, flashlight and batteries, alarm clock, a change of clothes for each member of the family, and toys/games for the kids.

Moving Tips

•  Make sure you don't leave anything behind. Before you say goodbye to your old house for good, do one final walkthrough and make sure nothing is forgotten. Save yourself some wasted effort by starting with our

•  Upon delivery, examine each item and put it where it belongs. As each item comes off the truck, make sure it's not damaged. As furniture and boxes are unloaded, put them in the rooms in which they belong. If using movers, do a final walkthrough before they leave to make sure that all items are in the right places.

•  Have a plan for the first days of your move . Sometimes the "hidden costs" of moving involve expenses like hotel accommodations, eating out, and buying necessities – like toiletries or cleaning supplies – simply because you don't know what box they're in. By having a plan and being organized, you can save yourself some money – and hassles!

•  Need tips for moving with kids and pets ? Check time saving moving tips at bymovers.com.