10 Moving Hacks for a Smoother Move

Published: January 24, 2022

Packing up your life can feel stressful and very costly, but it doesn’t have to be. In the past, we’ve shared a few tips on how you can have an easier move. 

Now we have 10 more moving tips and tricks that can help make your next move the smoothest yet. 

Start early

The earlier you start packing the better. You may know that we’re moving weeks, if not months in advance even if you have pinpointed the exact location of your new place. Start by packing the items you don’t use often, such as off-season clothes or books. This will save you from mad-dash packing when it’s closer to your move-in date. You can make packing feel carefree by only packing an hour a day while listening to your favorite music. 

If you rent a portable storage unit for your move, you can even start storing boxes on the unit up to a month in advance at no additional charge. If you’re in the Baltimore City area or its surrounding counties, get a quote for a UNITS storage container near you. 

Pre-schedule utilities at your new place

There’s nothing worse than finally moving everything into your new place only to realize you don’t have lights or water! It oftentimes takes utility companies a day or more to turn on services at a new home, so it’ll save you a great deal of frustration if you share your move-in date with your providers ahead of time. 

You can also pre-schedule turn-on dates with your cable and internet companies, so you and your family can enjoy some entertainment on your first day at the new home.

Create a moving folder

Make it easier to keep track of all your important documents, such as your rental receipts, purchasing papers, utility requests, and contact numbers, by storing them in one folder. It’s easy to lose track of things during a move, and you don’t want these important papers to go missing, especially paperwork you need on moving day.

Pack an essentials bag

It’s unlikely you’ll completely unpack during your first night in your new place. Kudos to you if you try! But you’ll still need several basic items that night and the next day, including a toothbrush, pajamas, and medications. 

If you’re moving with children and pets, you’ll likely need even more on hand like favorite toys and dog food. Make sure to pack “essentials” bags for you and everyone else in the family, so no one has to rummage through boxes to find what they need in the first few days at your new home.  

Use the right boxes

How you store your items matters. Make sure you choose the right boxes or storage containers to ensure nothing breaks or gets damaged. And don’t overstuff your boxes. They just might break at the worst time—halfway up the stairs of your new place. 

Review the best ways to store common items, and try to put heavy belongings in small boxes and light items, like pillows, in larger boxes to reduce the chance of box breakage. 

Label Label Label

Don’t be afraid to pull out the Sharpie and mark up your boxes, so it’s clear which room your boxes should be moved. It will make moving (and unpacking) a lot easier because you’ll be able to place boxes in the correct rooms instead of just dropping them near the front door. Of course, to make this process more effective, avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.

You can take this process even further by color-coding boxes based on rooms, writing a quick description of box contents, or keeping an inventory list to keep track of which boxes actually make it to the new house. 

Eat up 

It will be a pain to transfer a ton of refrigerated or frozen foods to your new place, so try to clear out your fridge before moving day. Eat as much food as you can and donate unopened canned and packaged food you won’t eat. It’ll help you save money up until moving day, which you can use to eat out for the first few days while you get your new kitchen in order.

Consider short-term storage 

If you’re downsizing, making an unexpected move, or you just have a lot of belongings, renting a short-term storage unit may be a solution. Find a reliable, local storage company with a location that is easily accessible from your new home. 

Don’t forget little kids and pets 

Parents often complain that their young children and pets get in the way on move-in day. They can’t really help you move, but they often want a lot of attention when the action starts. 

Plan ahead by asking family or friends to watch your children or pets on moving day or schedule your move when the children are at school (or the pets are at a care facility). Find the option that works best to help relieve your stress while making them feel as comfortable as possible during the transition.