8 Moving and Packing Tips
1. Change your address a week before you move.
This is one of those things everyone forgets to do until they’re two weeks into life in a new home. Change your address ahead of time so your bills, credit card statements, and packages can arrive on time and without hassle.
2. Donate
If you’d like to donate your items, check out our guide on where to donate your old clothes, books, furniture, toys, and more.
3. Research licenced moving companies.
A moving company can often make or break your entire moving experience, so it’s important to get it right. The more effort you put into finding a reputable company with excellent customer service ahead of time, the less hassle you’ll have on moving day.
4. Research professional moving companies.
Lift NYC recommends double-checking that the moving company you want to hire is licensed with the state you’re in. “There are tens of thousands of people claiming to be a ‘moving company’ when in actuality it’s just some guy with a van trying to make some extra money,” says Mike Sulkowska of Lift NYC. Find out the specifics so there are no unwelcome surprises come moving day.
5. Pick the right moving day.
Hire your movers at least a month out so you can plan accordingly. If you have a flexible schedule, play around with potential moving dates and try to find the cheapest time of month to make an appointment.
Gom Moving is reserved in order of deposit.
6. Create a master moving to-do list
When you move homes, you inevitably end up having 600 different things to do and remember. Don’t let all these tasks and important reminders, no matter how seemingly obvious, slip your mind.
Write them down somewhere. Put them in the Notes app on your phone, in the to-do list app. You have to return your cable box to your provider at least one day before you leave? Jot it down.
7. Label moving boxes
The key to finding your stuff easily is labeling all your packed boxes accurately and clearly. When you’re stacking boxes in a van or car you won’t be able to see their tops, so make sure you label the sides as well.
8. Pack ahead
Packing little by little is far less stressful than trying to tackle it all in one day. As early as a couple months out, start packing the stuff you know you won’t be using.
This can be anything from off-season clothing to books you’ve already read to mementos, pictures (here’s how to store and preserve old photographs), and keepsakes.