Determine whether you will enlist the services of a professional mover or do it yourself.

One ought to look carefully at all the costs involved with moving to find out whether it is worth hiring a specialist moving service. Take into consideration the insurance, rental, and gasoline for the moving truck(s) in addition to the time and effort involved with moving your possessions on your own. It might be more cost-effective in the long run to hire professionals.

Choose a mover with care

Be sure that your moving company is responsible and has a good reputation. Consult the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and confer with friends and neighbors for recommendations. Ensure that the company has a worker's compensation plan. Various national companies will outsource their work to smaller agents that are generally not directly associated with these larger companies.

Ask for a written estimate by your moving company prior to the move

A good deal of movers will even guarantee their estimate if they come to your home to do a home survey.

Several movers are aware that if they give you a written estimate, they would be legally obligated within limits to their estimate, so they may attempt to actually advise you against sending an estimator. A good rule of thumb is to contact the moving company approx. 2 weeks prior to the move.

Know when the busiest times to move are

The quality of your move can be effected by the timing of your move. Movers are subject to get busier at month end.. They are also busier during the summer (generally, a mover can do about 2/3rds of their business for the year between the end of May and Labor Day. The last week of the month in May, June, July and August are the busiest weeks of the year. If you must move during these weeks, contact your mover well ahead of time and reserve your move day. It's not rare for these weeks to book up 4 to 6 weeks in advance.

Choose whether you would like your mover to do the packing

Cost will mainly dictate whether you'll opt to pack the contents of your home yourself or have your movers do the work for you. This is actually a matter of preference.

Pay precise attention to the liability coverage provided by the mover

There are a mixture of different coverage plans offered by professional moving companies. Thoroughly read through these to understand exactly covered in the policy.

Tipping/Paying the movers

While it is customary to suggestion movers and their helpers when they do an excellent job, it's never mandatory. Payment is more often than not made in cash or credit card immediately upon the move. Also, a number of movers have particular discounts they can offer you through assorted organizations you may belong to. Unions, the Auto Club, Masonic organizations, etc. may have deals with movers to provide significant discounts for their membership. If you belong to an organization, check this out, it could save you a lot of money.

Itemize all your belongings

Keep track of all the contents of your move by explaining every box and what specifically is enclosed in the box

Have an abundance of supplies on hand for your move

Normally, if you buy your boxes from a moving company, you can always return unused boxes for a refund. In addition to boxes, you will need strong plastic packing tape to secure your packages. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion delicate items. Do not make the boxes too heavy to lift. It is more beneficial to have more supplies than to limit the number of boxes and cause breakage.

Utilize wardrobe boxes

These tall boxes are best for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and blankets, in addition to clothes that need to remain hanging. Find out how many wardrobe boxes to use by the width of the box in relation to how many clothes are in your closets.

Color coordinate

Designate a color for each room in the new home, such as yellow for kitchen, orange for dining room, etc. Put colored stickers on the box near the box number. When you get to your new home, put a matching sticker on the door to each room. The movers will know where to put everything when they get there.

Re-Key your new locks

For security reasons, it is very important to get new locks or re-key the existing locks in your new home. It is best to do this before or soon after your move.