Moving is terrible. We can help. Make it less painful with our ultimate guide for moving .
April 2024One thing that’s reliably constant in life is change. And for millions of Americans each year, that change is geographic.
Whether you’re moving across the street or across the country, from a tiny apartment or a sprawling house, relocating can be stressful and all-consuming (to say the least). But with the right planning and tools, it doesn’t have to be.
For tips on how to organize and stay sane during your move, we spoke with Laura McHolm, founder of NorthStar Moving Company, which has been in business for over 25 years, moving celebrity clients and mere mortals alike. We also talked to Brian Brooks, president and co-owner of Columbus, Ohio–based E.E. Ward Moving & Storage. And we spoke with Ashley Murphy and Marissa Hagmeyer, co-founders of the NEAT Method, a luxury home-organizing company. For five years, Wirecutter staff writer Kit Dillon has worked weekends and holidays as a professional mover in Hawaii.
Contact your utility providers to schedule the shutdown of services—and be sure to give them your new address so they can send any remaining bills after you move. (This is also a good time to see what services you’ll need at your new place, in case you’re able to schedule those in advance.) For most homes, these are the service providers you’ll need to contact:
If you’re a renter, give notice to your landlord. The standard notice for most landlords is between 30 to 90 days. But this can vary by state and rental agreement, so be sure to check both state laws and your rental agreement. To get your deposit back, you’ll need to schedule a walk-through. And homeowners may have to give notice to a homeowners or neighborhood association, if applicable.
“It doesn’t make much sense to move belongings you really have no intention of ever using at the new place,” NorthStar Moving Company’s Laura McHolm said. She recommends starting eight weeks before the move and suggests tackling one to two rooms per weekend. Organize everything into three piles: keep, give away, and recycle/trash. If you have a lot of clothing to donate, we have a handy guide on how to responsibly donate or repurpose it all.
Take a hard look at any bulky furniture. Moving costs often come down to weight or size, so ask yourself whether you’re ready to invest in an item again just to get it from point A to point B. Before the move, try selling couches, grills, patio furniture, and other big stuff that’s usable but not worth bringing along.
Brian Brooks of E.E Ward Moving & Storage advises that you start the search for a moving company as soon as possible—preferably two months before your move—to get the best price. (Prices can fluctuate based on demand, so it’s better to have enough time to compare a few quotes.) And Brooks advises that you choose a company carefully. McHolm agrees with this, saying, “When choosing a moving company, reputation and experience are crucial.” Ask friends for their recommendations. Read Yelp or Google reviews (and always verify with different sources, to avoid misleading or fake reviews). And scroll listings on the Better Business Bureau. If you belong to special-interest groups online (like parenting forums), find out whether these sites include reviews of local movers.
For a big move (a whole house, out of state), most moving companies will offer a free on-site estimate; take them up on this. Even for small moves, Brooks said, it’s wise to do a virtual walk-through so the movers have a comprehensive idea of how much time and labor it will take to move you—since even small details, like where the truck can park, can affect the job. He recommends getting three estimates before committing to a company.
For interstate moves, the moving company should be licensed with a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number—you can search for it in this database. Finally, rental buildings may require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your moving company; this offers protection against things like damage to the building elevator and dents in walls. So be sure to ask your moving company if it is able to provide one.
You can also rent a PODS portable container and load it yourself, or you can hire a team to load it for you. This is an especially good option if you prefer loading a portable container slowly over a few weeks (make sure you have a very good lock and a secure spot to place the container, like a driveway). PODS also offers storage options at one of its facilities, so this is a solid storage alternative if you won’t be moving to the new place immediately. When Kit was moving to Hawaii, he wasn’t yet sure of his permanent address there, so he stored his belongings in a PODS container in California for a year before shipping everything out.
Whether you’re renting a truck or hiring movers, it’s a good idea to do some research. According to Brooks, “Parking permits are common for moves in downtown and metropolitan areas of high-rise living.” Frustratingly, different cities have different rules and different terminologies for these permits. (Try searching Google for “street occupancy permit,” “moving van permit,” or “encroachment permit,” plus your city’s name; you should be able to find the local guidelines.) Even if your city doesn’t require a parking permit, there may be other rules—like street-sweeping regulations—you need to follow. And remember, you’ll have to do this research for your old place and your new place, since the rules can change even street by street.
Some cities have rules on how large a moving truck can be for the permitted space, as well as how many days and which hours you may park it. McHolm stresses that it’s worth putting in the effort to secure a permit. “The closer the truck is to your front door, the more money you will save. If the truck needs to park down the street, you will pay for the time for the movers to unload and walk to the front door.” If your street or city requires a parking permit for moving vans, ask your moving company who will be providing it.
Unless you’re paying movers to pack your stuff (in which case you’ll still have to delegate tasks and oversee things), packing is the next big step. Though packing isn’t usually considered fun, if you are armed with the right supplies and packing tips, it can go smoothly. A lot of moving/packing companies (including rental box companies) also sell packing supplies and can help estimate how much you’ll need; this is a good option if you prefer an all-in-one solution. But if you prefer to pick the supplies yourself, we have an in-depth guide on what to buy to help make moving less miserable.
Moving is a pain, but having the right gear can help. We’ve gathered the accessories, tools, and techniques to make it easier.
Changing your address may be a “before” or “after” item on your to-do list, depending on when you have access to your new place. Here are the places you should remember to notify when you’re changing your address:
Even the most organized moves can take time. Don’t schedule anything for the day of the move, including work or promising first dates. If you have young kids or pets, consider sending them off with sitters for the day. And to be sure things are done the way you want, you or a trusted representative should be on hand (and are often required to be) to oversee the move, at both your old home and your new one.
This is a good time to get creative with the food in your freezer and pantry. You can theoretically transport perishables in a cooler, but if you eat up what you have on hand, you’ll have less to pack.
