4 Simple Tips to Make Moving Easier

Each year, more than 12% of Americans move to a different home. Whether relocating for a job, starting a new military assignment, or just moving to a different home to accommodate a growing family, most people agree that moving can be a time-consuming and stressful endeavor. 

Luckily, it doesn't have to be. If you've never moved before, don't know how to move, or aren't sure where to start, these moving tips and packing hacks will help make your move as fast and stress-free as possible. 

TL;DR: 4 tips to make moving easier

1. Start early. Start organizing, making reservations, and purchasing supplies 6–8 weeks before you move
2. Pack strategically. To make things easier for yourself, pack room by room, keep items in their drawers, and label boxes by color and room.
3. Prepare essentials for move-in day. Pack cleaning supplies, toiletries, an outfit, essential medications, bedding, and pet supplies for easy access.
4. Set up your new home. Make sure utilities are on, your mail is forwarded, and your home security is in place before you arrive or as soon as possible after.

Moving timeline

1. Get organized before you pack

When it comes to moving, one of the best things you can do is start preparing early. When you find out you’re going to move, start preparing with these first-things-first moving tips: 

• Get organized. Keep all the information related to your move, including paperwork, emails, and receipts, organized in a dedicated spot. It’s a good idea to also keep soft copies of important paperwork, like contracts, as well as receipts, on your phone or computer. If you need to save receipts related to your move for work or tax purposes, consider downloading an app specifically for receipts. 
• Start making reservations. Demand for movers, moving truck rentals, and packers skyrockets in the summer. Approximately 80% of all moves occur between April and September, so make your reservations as soon as possible. 
• Purchase packing essentials. Plastic wrap, also known as stretch wrap, comes in rolls of various sizes and is a moving must. You can use it to wrap furniture, keep small items together, and help secure drawers. You’ll also want to buy plenty of moving boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. (Moving tip: You can save a lot of money on moving boxes by reaching out to neighbors and friends and asking for any boxes). 
• Clean your home. It’s easier to pack when you’ve purged your home of items you won’t be taking, so start by cleaning out closets, shelves, the garage, and other areas where unused items tend to accumulate. 
• Donate items you don’t want to bring. Not only is moving is the perfect time to clean your home, but it’s also a great time to donate things like clothing your kids have outgrown, toys that aren’t needed anymore, holiday decorations, and other items you don’t want to bring.  

Essential packing supplies checkist

• Moving boxes of various sizes
• Bubble wrap
• Packing tape
• Plastic/stretch wrap
• Permanent markers
• Scissors
• Packing paper
• Box cutter

Moving tip: You can save money on moving boxes by saving boxes from home deliveries or reaching out to neighbors and friends and asking for any boxes they no longer need.

Moving preparation can be daunting, so it’s helpful to make a list of the above tasks, and then check them off as you complete each task. 

2. Step-by-step packing strategies for a stress-free move

Packing for a move is probably the most time-consuming part of moving. Before you start, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to use a moving company or other help. If you don’t know how to move or where to start, a moving company may be a good choice. Full-service moves typically include packing up your house, supplying moving supplies, loading your items into a truck, and delivering and unpacking at your home. This service also comes at a price; the average cost of a long-distance move is $4,890.

If a full-service moving company is out of your price range, you can still hire help for smaller portions of the moving process. Look at hiring help to pack, load a truck, or help you unload moving boxes.

Packing hacks for moving

If you're going to be doing most of the packing yourself, follow these step-by-step packing tips:

1. Go room by room. Start packing non-essential rooms 3-4 weeks before your move. Many people find packing room by room to be the best way to pack for moving. It allows you to keep your items grouped by room, which will simplify unpacking as well. It's also satisfying to see progress by completing entire rooms at a time.

2. Don't empty your drawers. Keep clothing in dresser drawers and wrap the drawers with plastic wrap for moving. This will make unpacking much easier. The same goes for nightstands and desks.

3. Leave your clothes on the hanger. Skip the time-consuming task of removing clothes from hangers and then hanging them back up. You can pack them in wardrobe boxes or group them and use trash bags as garment bags.

4. Use space-saving bags. Vacuum-pack bags are a great way to maximize space, especially if you're bringing bulkier clothes like coats or sweaters.

5. Keep boxes organized. Organizing boxes when you move will save a lot of stress when you unpack. Color-code boxes with a specific color for each room, so you can quickly identify which box goes where once you move. It's also helpful to tape a list of the box's contents on the side, so you can quickly find your items while unpacking.

6. Label fragile boxes. Make sure to clearly label boxes with fragile items. You should also include directions like "Do not stack" or "This side up". This will help ensure everyone handling your boxes knows how to move them.

3. Essential items to pack for move-in day

If you're moving locally, it may only take a few hours for your moving truck to arrive. But if you're moving across country, it can take days. Professional movers take even longer, up to two weeks on average. 

One way to reduce the stress that comes with moving is to pack your essentials for easy access on move-in day to your new home.

• Load essentials last. If you're moving yourself, load your essential items last and set them aside for easy access when you arrive at your new home. Or, pack them in the car with you as you drive. 
• Stock up on cleaning supplies. You'll probably want to spruce your new place up when you arrive, so make sure you have cleaning supplies handy. This is especially true for toilet paper–chances are good your new home won't have it when you move in.
• Keep kids clothes organized with packing cubes. Keep your kids' clothes organized within suitcases with cloth packing cubes. You can make it even easier by getting different colors for each child or family member. 
• Make sure medication is easily accessible. Pack first aid items and refill any medications you need so that they're easily accessible as you travel. 
• Don't forget clean bedding. After you're exhausted from moving in, the last thing you'll want to do is hunt for–and then wash–your bedding and linens. Pack clean bedding so you can crash on a freshly-made bed after moving. 
• Keep your pets in mind, too. If you're moving with pets, their food and water bowls, beds, and fresh water and food should be easy to find as well. 

It's important to note that the list of essentials will be different for every family. In addition to the list above, your essentials may also include your child's favorite toy, your hair straightener, or your coffee maker. 

4. Plan for your arrival at your new home

In addition to making sure your utilities are turned on and your mail is forwarded, your plan for arrival should also include steps to ensure your new home is safe. 

If you have a Vivint security system already, moving your system to your new home is simple. And if you don't have a security system, moving to a new home is the perfect time to have one installed. 

A Vivint security system helps you protect your investment with features like: 

• 24/7 monitoring that contacts emergency services for you if your smoke, carbon monoxide, or burglar alarms are triggered.
• Burglary detection that includes motion and glass-break sensors.
• Surveillance cameras for the inside and outside of your home.
• Professional installation from start to finish.

Stay safe and stress-free with Vivint 

Moving to a new home can be stressful, but these moving tips can help make it a smoother experience. Overall, moving is also an exciting time for you and your family to begin making new memories in a new home. 

Let Vivint help you protect your new home. Contact us today at 800.646.1469 for a free quote. 

Frequently asked moving questions

Preparing for a move? We've got you covered with answers to some of the most frequently asked moving questions.

How far in advance should I start packing for a move?

Start packing non-essential items 3-4 weeks before your move. Begin with rooms you use least, like guest bedrooms, storage areas, and the garage. Save everyday essentials for the final week.

What is the average cost of hiring movers?

The average cost of a long-distance move is approximately $4,890, while local moves typically cost between $300 and $1,500 depending on the size of your home and distance traveled. You can save money by hiring help for parts of the move instead of full-service movers. For example, consider packing your home and hiring help to load it all into a truck.

What should I pack first when moving?

Pack items you use least frequently first, such as seasonal decorations, books, guest room items, and stored belongings. Save daily-use items like toiletries, kitchen essentials, and clothing for last.