I have my house on the market and love the feel of an uncluttered, edited home. However, there will still be a lot to pack up when it is time to move and more editing (i.e. trips to Goodwill/Salvation Army) to do.

So here are my tips that I will personally follow to make my move more stress free:

  1. Hire a good mover. Get three quotes and recommendations. Check the companies ‘reputation’ online through the Better Business Bureau and Yelp. The federal government regulates moving companies so use their site at www.protectyourmove.gov.
  2. Edit while you pack. Be ruthless. If you haven’t used it or worn it in the last year, give it away or throw it out. That way you don’t have to unpack it again on the other end.
  3. Save money on packing materials. Borrow boxes from someone who just moved. Or get your boxes and packing materials at Home Depot or your local U-Haul dealer.
  4. Consolidate. If you are moving long distance, see if there is someone who is going to the same destination so you can share space in a truck. Moving companies are often happy to add to someone else’s move if there is space available.
  5. Make a floor plan. Give the movers a plan of where you want large items placed.
  6. Mark your boxes. Make it easy to have the movers put your boxes in the appropriate room so you don’t have to move them around.
  7. Get insurance. Ask your homeowner’s insurance company to insure your move for replacement cost. The moving company will charge you a premium and the standard insurance you get through them is not enough if they break something really valuable.
  8. Know your destination. Do you need to pare down to small delivery trucks because of windy roads or steep driveways? Do you need to stake your claim on the street in front of your new apartment building? Discuss this with the company and be prepared.
  9. Be generous to the movers. Have cookies, plenty of fluids (I order pizza) for the hardworking movers. And tip them each $3 – $5 per hour for a job well done.

Remember to have snacks for yourself, a handy toolkit for installations, repairs, and hanging pictures, and most of all, a sense of humor as you take yourself out to dinner.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr