• Sort, pack, purge. Begin sorting and packing early - preferably months in advance if possible. Start with any non-essentials. Many people underestimate how long it will take to pack on their own! You’ll want ample time to sort, purge, and to try to sell items. You can also donate or dispose of any unwanted or unnecessary items to save on moving costs.

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• Change of address. Change your address with the USPS at least 1-2 weeks before moving day. You can change your address on the USPS’ official website. This will cost you $1.10. Beware of scammers that charge higher rates. Don’t forget to update your address with your bank, credit card companies, car insurance, the DMV, SSA, etc.
   

• Internet, cable, and utilities. A few weeks before moving day, notify your internet, cable, and utility providers of your moving date. This should give them enough lead time to prepare and to set up an appointment if needed.
   

• Items many forget to pack. Don’t forget to pack things like lamps, TV’s, pictures, mirrors, and artwork. These are at higher risk of being damaged if they are not properly packed in advance. We can always wrap these items in moving blankets on moving day, but they are still safer when wrapped in bubble wrap and put into appropriately sized boxes.
   

• Pack boxes properly. Pack heavy items (such as books) into the smallest boxes possible. Larger boxes can begin to crumble, warp, or fall apart when packed too heavily. Larger boxes are made for lighter items such as bedding, towels, lamps, etc. Use heavy-duty boxes if you have large/heavy items that will need to go into large boxes.
   

• Buy new boxes. Used boxes can be a tempting way to save on moving costs, especially if you get them for free. However, many boxes aren’t made to be used repeatedly, especially if they’ve previously been used for heavy items. Each time a box is used, its structural integrity is compromised. Used boxes carry a risk of collapsing or crumbling under pressure when stacked (even when stacked properly), or even falling apart. If you can help it, don’t subject your belongings to an increased risk of damage! Boxes that are beginning to collapse, crumble, or fall apart can also take longer to load. Movers may struggle to find a way to stack the boxes safely if they are all crumbling, costing you more money on hourly labor charges. Having a bunch of random boxes of varying sizes can also take longer to load. Buying new boxes from the same location will ensure all your smalls, mediums, etc. are all the same dimensions.
   

• Pack up furniture. If any dressers or large furniture pieces are being taken up or down any stairs, these items should be packed up and empty before they are moved. The extra weight creates a safety hazard for your movers while going up or down stairs. Pack up items in smaller furniture pieces such as nightstands, side tables, etc. These lighter items will be stacked on top of the larger items in the truck. Leaving any items inside can add weight. Smaller items like jewelry, coins, etc. may also slip out of the drawers when flipped upside down, causing them to get lost or broken.
   

• Furniture placement in the new home. Try to plan out where you would like your furniture placed in the new home, if possible. Not knowing where to place certain pieces, having the movers set things aside while you decide where to put them, or rearranging items after they have already been placed will take more time and increase moving costs.
   

• Children. Come up with a plan for your kids, especially if they are young. Younger children may wander around and accidentally walk in front of a mover carrying a heavy piece of furniture, or even wander onto the moving truck. Don’t let your kids enter the back of the truck under any circumstances, as there are heavy items stacked up inside that may not yet be secured.
   

• Pets. Have a plan for where your pets will be on moving day. Be sure to have your pets in a kennel, at day care, at a friend’s house, or somewhere safe on moving day. Movers need to keep doors open to get furniture and boxes in and out without having to stop, open the door, move the piece through, stop again, close the door, etc., etc. Doing so would significantly increase the time required to complete the move, resulting in much higher charges than your electric bill! Pets may run out of the home if they are loose. Some smaller pets, such as cats, may also hide under furniture, resulting in their injury when movers go to move the item.