How to Organize a Move: 10 Steps for a Perfect Move

Organizing a move can be a real challenge, especially when you’re moving out for the first time.

But organizing a successful move is even tougher. Why? Simply because you will have to make sure that every little detail of the residential move is handled properly.

It’s simple, really – the successful conclusion of your relocation story will depend on how well you organize the three main house-moving stages: preparation, Moving day, and post-relocation.

If you happen to be an organized person, then you will definitely have an advantage when you’re moving from one place to another. But this may not always be enough – you’ll also need to know the correct steps that will enable you to plan and execute a perfect residential move.

Follow these 10 steps to organize your move perfectly.

1. Determine the move date

Not surprisingly, planning a move begins with determining the move date.

All in all, there are two major scenarios here:

1) you have no control over the move date and circumstances force you to move out on a specific date or within a specified time frame, and

2) you have complete control over the move date and can pick the month and the day when you will move out of your current place.

Hopefully, you will have the flexibility to choose the date when you will move out. Why is this important? Your decision when to move out can lead to potential cost savings and here’s why.

Moving company rates tend to be lower during the off-peak moving season (September-May), so if you can move out during the colder months of the year, you are likely to pay (much) less for professional moving services.

Also, the beginning and end of each month is a busy time for movers because that’s when most leases start and end. Also, most people prefer to move on the weekend when they are not at work, so if you can move on a weekday, then you may be able to save even more money on your move.

Important Things to Consider When Deciding on a Moving Date

2. Budget for the move

The next step in organizing a successful move is to create a moving budget that will help you control the inevitable move-related expenses.

The creation of a preliminary moving budget early on in the process will give you a rough idea of how much money you will need to complete the residential move. This is important, especially when you haven’t moved house before and you’re not sure what to expect price-wise.

One critical aspect of having a moving budget at your disposal is that you will be able to figure out whether you have saved enough money to cover the moving costs in the first place.

And yet, the biggest advantage of creating a moving budget is that by knowing the approximate costs of moving by yourself on one hand and the price of hiring movers on the other hand, you will be able to pick the moving option that’s best for you from a financial point of view.

The DIY-vs-Movers dilemma is real and the sooner you solve the puzzle in your favor, the more time you will have to invest in the moving option you’ve picked. Luckily, a moving budget will enable you to make an informed decision you won’t regret later.

How to Create a Moving Budget: Moving Budget Checklist

3. Sort and declutter

Regardless of whether you plan a move out of state or you organize a local move, there’s something that you must do at all costs – declutter your items.

Why is sorting and decluttering your stuff so important?

Here are the three major benefits of reducing the number of your possessions before you pack them up:

• You will lower the transportation cost simply because fewer items to pack and move means reduced overall shipment weight, which in turn means less money to pay movers.
• You will save loads of precious time because you will need to pack up fewer things for transport.
• You will save valuable storage space in the new place, and this is especially important if you’re downsizing – that is, you’re moving to a smaller home.

Now that you understand the advantages of paring down your possessions before moving out, it’s time to complete this crucial task. But where do you begin?

The best way to declutter your home when moving is to use the 3-pile decluttering trick. Go from room to room and sort out all your things into three piles:

• Pile 1. Things you’ll keep – the ones you’re about to pack;
• Pile 2. Things you’ll sell, give away, or donate – the ones that are still usable; and
• Pile 3. Things you’ll throw away – the ones you’ll recycle in an environmentally friendly way.

How to Declutter Your Home Before Moving: 10 Decluttering Steps

4. Select a moving company

One of the most important things you have to do when organizing a move is to make an informed decision about whether you will use the services of a professional moving company or you will move by yourself.

The tell-tale signs that you need to hire movers are:

• You’re moving long distance – for instance, you’re moving to a new state;
• You have no previous house-moving experience – for example, you’re moving out for the first time;
• You plan to take too many things with you to the new home;
• You’re thinking about moving specialty items such as a piano or antique furniture;
• You have too little time to prepare a move on your own;

Here are the main steps for finding and selecting a good moving company for your relocation needs:

• Step 1. Request free moving estimates from the best interstate or local movers in your city or town;
• Step 2. Ask the movers to visit your home for a visual inspection;
• Step 3. Get accurate cost estimates in writing;
• Step 4. Research the moving companies – check their legitimate status (USDOT number) and online reputation (moving reviews);
• Step 5. Compare the cost estimates you have received and pick the best one in terms of price and conditions.

How to Choose a Moving Company in 31.5 Steps

5. Gather supplies

One important question that always remains on the table when organizing a move is who’s going to pack your things – you (together with your family and friends) or professional packers.

There are pros and cons in each scenario – see Self-Packing vs. Professional Packing. And if you do choose to pack up your things without the help of professionals, then you should start gathering the necessary packing supplies as soon as you’ve made up your mind to complete that task on your own.

Here are the major packing materials you will need to pack your things for moving:

• Moving boxes. You’re going to need plenty of cardboard boxes of various sizes. For your information, the average number of boxes needed to pack the content of one home is roughly 60.
• Wrapping paper. Soft, white, ink-free, and acid-free paper is ideal for packing all types of delicate items, especially breakables such as kitchen glasses and plates.
• Bubble wrap. Bubble wrap provides an outstanding level of protection for various fragile items around the house. It’s an incredibly versatile packing material that is a must-have when packing on your own.
• Furniture blankets. Padding blankets will help you protect the furniture pieces you wish to take with you.
• Tape. Regular packing tape should be very useful when reinforcing and closing boxes.
• A set of markers. You need color markers to label the boxes properly.

Packing Materials for Moving You Can’t Do Without

6. Create a moving checklist

Without a doubt, one of the most important things when planning a move is to have a plan in the form of a checklist.

In its essence, a moving checklist is a detailed to-do list that tells you what you should be doing now and what you should do after that. In other words, a moving timeline and checklist is a breakdown of the tasks not only by weeks but by days as well.

The best thing about following a good moving checklist is that you won’t lose any precious time wondering what you are supposed to do. It just introduces a great level of time management that will help you plan your move in the best possible way.

Equipped with a moving checklist, you will never forget to tackle an important move-related task!

The good news is that you don’t have to create your own moving checklist from scratch. What you should do instead is use our Ultimate Moving Checklist and simply add the tasks that are specific to your residential move. In fact, it’s easier than you think.

You can also use a moving timeline and checklist to allocate responsibilities among your family members so that everyone gets to contribute to a smooth, stress-free moving experience.

Moving Timeline: Your Week-By-Week Moving Checklist

7. Pack up your things

How to organize packing for a move?

You should definitely keep in mind that packing a home for moving is the most time-consuming task you’ll have on your moving checklist. And as such, you have to start working on it as soon as you possibly can in order to complete it on time.

Here are a few guidelines that will steer you in the right direction when it comes to packing up your things by yourself:

• Prepare the necessary packing materials in advance so that you don’t lose any precious time later on during the heat of the packing process.
• Consider using free moving boxes in good condition to lower your packing costs.
• Sort out and declutter all your possessions prior to packing them for transport. Get rid of all the items that you don’t plan to use in the future.
• Start packing from the rooms that you use less frequently – usually the storage areas in your home (garage, basement, attic, and closet) and any spare rooms.
• Use plenty of padding materials such as wrapping paper and bubble wrap when you’re packing fragile items, especially objects made of glass or porcelain.
• Label each box as soon as you’re done packing it – mark it with its content, destination room, and handling instructions.
• Remember to pack an essentials box – a container full of essential items that will help you survive on the road and during the first day/night at the new place.

Packing Timeline: What to Pack When for Moving

8. Inform relevant parties

Organizing a successful move often means thinking a few steps ahead. Your postal address is changing, so it’s your responsibility to inform all relevant parties about the upcoming change.

The first and most urgent institution you will have to inform of your residential move is the USPS – after all, you’d very much to continue to receive your mail after you move to the new place, correct?

Luckily, there are 4 ways to change your address, the top two being online or visiting the nearest post office to initiate the change of address procedure.

How to Change Your Address When Moving

Also, you will need to inform the utility companies about the upcoming relocation and arrange for the timely disconnection of the major utilities (electricity and water) in the old home and their reconnection at the new place.

Consult the guide below to learn what steps you are expected to follow to transfer or change your home utilities when moving.

How to Transfer Utilities When Moving: 10 Easy Steps

9. Take all safety precautions on Moving day

Organizing a move by yourself is tough but making sure that Moving day ends up smoothly – zero property damage and zero personal injuries – is usually even tougher.

The thing you need you understand here is that Moving day can be a dangerous time for all participants, especially when large and heavy furniture pieces are being carried around.

So, the only way to guarantee everyone’s safety on the Big day is to take all necessary safety precautions, such as:

• Ensure that you have enough helpers on the day of the move. Ask friends to give you a hand with the heavy lifting to minimize the chance of accidents.
• Use a moving dolly to wheel out the heaviest items you have in your home – furniture units, appliances, and even most of the boxes.
• Use proper lifting techniques to save your back and keep injuries at bay.
• Keep hallways and pathways clear of any obstacles such as scattered boxes or random packing materials. Check whether all exit routes are clear of dust, mud, water, or snow.
• Dress appropriately for the occasion, wear closed shoes with anti-slip soles and the most comfortable clothes you got.
• Keep children and pets away from the action, preferably in a room that’s perfectly safe. If possible, leave a person you trust to look after them.

10 Moving Safety Tips to Avoid Injuries When Moving

10. Organize the new home

The last stage when organizing a move is the immediate post-relocation period when you’ll need to tackle several urgent tasks. Moving day may be over but you’re still far from being settled in the new place.

• Unpack the essentials boxes and set up the three most critical rooms with priority: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen.
• Ensure the well-being of your children and pets, and tend to their needs before anything else.
• Inspect the delivered boxes against the household inventory and get in touch with your moving company in case of problems.
• Inspect the new home carefully and secure it well. When moving with young children and pets, you must child-proof and pet-proof the new place immediately.
• Arrange the furniture pieces in their spots – in most cases, you’ll need to have them reassembled properly.
• Start unpacking those piles of boxes systematically and organize the new home as you keep unpacking.
• Change your address with the USPS if you haven’t done it prior to the move.
• Register your car and update your driver’s license – only applicable if you’ve moved to another state.

21 Things to Do After Moving Into a New House