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Moving Tips & Advice
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More Moving Tips and Guides
Ready to get moving? Explore our comprehensive collection of moving tips, checklists, videos, and more—all designed to make your move smooth and stress-free. Let us guide you with trusted advice for an easier transition.
What to Do Before You Pack
Preparing thoroughly before your move is essential to ensure a smooth process. Starting with early organization and planning, even before packing, sets the foundation for a seamless transition.
Gather Packing Supplies
Gathering packing materials early ensures you have everything you need when it’s time to start packing. Essentials like packing tape, labels, and markers help keep your boxes organized and secure. Protective materials, such as packing paper, bubble wrap, blankets, and towels, are also useful for safeguarding your items during the move.
Find Packing Boxes
Many liquor stores, grocery stores, and other retailers often have empty boxes available for recycling. You can call ahead to see if they’ll set some aside for you. Alternatively, check platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, where people frequently offer free or low-cost moving boxes in your area.
Although sourcing boxes from local retailers can be an affordable option, they may not provide the best protection for your belongings. For fragile or valuable items, moving-specific cardboard boxes are designed to offer greater durability and security during transit.
Organizing Your Packing Boxes
If you’ve gathered a variety of boxes, you’ll want to make sure you have consistency. Similar shaped boxes are easier to pack and save space in your vehicles. Double check that boxes aren’t torn, wet, or damaged so you have time to buy moving boxes or containers somewhere else, if needed.
Declutter & Clean Your Home
Before you start packing every item in your house, see if there’s anything you don’t need. Clean your house and see if you have items you can throw out, donate, or do something else with. It’s easier to go through items before you pack rather than having unnecessary items to take with you on the move.
Take Pictures of Your Intricate Items
Take pictures of any appliances or electronics that have a complicated setup so you’ll know how to plug cords back in at your new place. If you like the layout of your art and pictures on the wall, take a picture of that too so you remember.
What to Do During packing
You've completed your packing prep, and now it's time to start moving! Here are some tips to make this sometimes daunting task feel like a breeze.
Use Right Boxes For The Right Stuff
Pack heavy items in smaller boxes to make them easier to lift and maneuver. Use larger boxes for lighter items, allowing you to transport more at once without extra weight. Bulkier, awkwardly shaped boxes are also easier to carry when packed with lighter objects. Creating a packing plan will keep things organized and save you from simply tossing items into boxes.
Care For Your Fragile Items
Be sure to wrap fragile items—like electronics, glassware, artwork, and other valuables—to keep them safe. If you still have the original boxes, they’re ideal for moving these items. Otherwise, use plenty of bubble wrap, paper towels, quilts, or blankets for padding. For added protection, pack delicate items like dishes vertically to reduce the risk of breakage.
Pack by Room
To make unpacking easier, try to keep boxes organized by room rather than mixing items from different areas. For example, packing dishes and utensils separately from living room decorations will simplify the unpacking process. Label each box with its designated room to streamline unloading on moving day, ensuring everything goes to the right place right away.
Pack a Little at a Time
Packing can feel overwhelming, so take it one step at a time—packing a little each day and focusing on one room at a time. Since packing often takes longer than anticipated, start well in advance of your move-out date. This way, you'll have plenty of time to gather boxes and supplies and avoid last-minute stress.
Securing Your Boxes
Now it’s time to put your packing supplies to work! Secure each box thoroughly with packing tape to keep it sealed during transit. For longer moves, consider using extra tape for added durability. When it comes to packing tape, there’s no such thing as too much—better to be safe than sorry!
If you're using professional movers, many will want to inspect how fragile or valuable items are packed before the boxes are sealed. This ensures everything is properly protected and reduces the risk of damage during the move.
Label & Organize as You Pack
For a smoother unpacking experience, organization is essential. Clearly label and mark each box by room—such as bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen—so you’ll know exactly where everything goes once you move in. This simple step saves time and reduces the hassle of searching through boxes later.
What to Do Before You Move
With packing complete, it’s time to prepare for the move itself. To make moving day as smooth as possible, we’ve put together some helpful tips you can follow in advance.
Keep Your Documentation Organized
Creating a dedicated folder for your moving paperwork is a great way to stay organized. Storing reservations, checklists, and receipts in one place ensures that nothing important gets lost during the move.
Set the Date
If your move-in date is flexible, select a day that works well for you and anyone helping with the move. If family or friends are pitching in, be sure to give them plenty of notice. If you’re hiring a moving company, consider scheduling for a weekday, as rates are often lower than on weekends.
Map Your Route
If you're renting a vehicle for your move, plan your route in advance to save time and fuel costs. Efficiency is key, so even if you’re moving locally and know the way, consider factors like rush hour, traffic patterns, and any scheduled events that might slow you down.
Make Sure You Change Your Address
Changing your address a little before your move can save you from the hassle of missing mail, packages, and bills that might otherwise go to your old address. This simple step ensures a smoother transition and keeps your important deliveries on track.
Set Up Utilities
Arranging utilities, Wi-Fi, and other essential services in advance ensures that you’ll have heat, water, and internet on day one in your new home. Also, remember to schedule a stop-service date for utilities at your old residence to avoid paying for services after you’ve moved out.
Pack a First Night Box
Pack an overnight bag with essentials like clothes, toiletries, and anything else you’ll need for your first night in your new home. Include some entertainment options like games or movies, and pack disposable dining ware for easy meals. This way, you won’t have to dig through boxes after a long day—you can just relax and settle in!
Set Aside Cleaning Supplies
Set aside a box of cleaning supplies to keep handy. This way, you can clean your old place if needed and have everything ready to tidy up your new home before moving in your belongings.
Stop Buying Groceries
Try to stop buying groceries about a week before moving to avoid unnecessary food waste. Some items may be easy to transport, but for perishables or bulk items, consider donating them to a local food pantry. This way, you’ll have less to pack and know your extras are going to a good cause.
What to Do During Moving
You’re packed, organized, and ready to go—it’s moving day! Here are some tips to help make the day as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Take Pictures
If you’re moving out of or into a rental, take photos of the empty space to document its condition. This helps verify the cleanliness you left it in and provides evidence of any pre-existing damage, which can be useful for getting your security deposit back or avoiding future disputes.
Load the Truck with a Plan
Avoid randomly loading items into your moving truck or vehicle. Start by packing large items first, then fill in the spaces with smaller boxes. Stacking boxes of similar size together will make them fit more securely, prevent shifting, and help maximize space efficiently.
Unload the Truck with a Plan
If friends and family are helping with your move, delegating tasks can make the process smoother and faster. Since your boxes are labeled by room, it’s easy to direct everyone on where each box goes, keeping things organized and saving time.
Make Sure You Change Your Address
Changing your address a little before your move can save you from the hassle of missing mail, packages, and bills that might otherwise go to your old address. This simple step ensures a smoother transition and keeps your important deliveries on track.
Celebrate!
You did it! Celebrate with your DIY moving crew by treating them to pizza or snacks as a token of your appreciation. It’s a perfect way to relax and enjoy your first gathering in your new home.
Use Our Move Planner
Explore our comprehensive 8-week move planner, packed with professional moving tips to guide you every step of the way. From two months out to move-in day, this planner ensures you're organized and prepared for a smooth transition into your new home.
We cover every step, from securing moving quotes to prepping for packing day. With nearly a century of experience in the moving industry, we know what it takes for a successful move—and we’re here to share all of that expertise with you.
Stay Organized with Our Moving Checklists
Hidalgos has compiled our expert packing and moving tips into easy-to-use checklists, designed to help you prepare efficiently and stay organized throughout your move.
Packing 101 Checklists
Packing for a move can feel overwhelming, but Hidalgo's 13-step moving and packing checklist helps you tackle it with ease. These essential packing tips save time, reduce costs, and simplify the process, making your move much smoother.
Non-Allowables Checklist
Before you begin packing, it’s important to know which items are allowed and which are restricted. Hazardous items such as explosives, flammable gases, and toxic substances can pose safety risks and should not be included in your shipment.aking your move much smoother.
Supplies Checklist
Prepare for your move with our fool-proof moving supplies checklist, making sure you have essentials like moving boxes, protective packaging, and more. By checking off your supplies ahead of time, you’ll be set for a seamless and organized moving experience.
First Night Box Checklist
Your first night in a new home is much easier with the right essentials on hand. We recommend packing a “first night” box with items for basic unpacking, cleaning, eating, and hygiene. Explore Hidalgos' expert moving tips to help ensure a comfortable, stress-free first night in your new space.
