Moving Timeline:

Moving requires planning and preparation. If you do not plan several weeks in advance, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the sheer number of things that need to be done. When it comes to moving, it’s best to start early and do one thing at a time. In order to be ready for the day you move, you should have a clear timeline. Here’s what we suggest:

8 Weeks Before Moving

• Start getting rid of unwanted things from your basement, attic, and storage.
• Book your moving company. If you don’t know who to use, compare moving companies on our website to find the best mover for you based on reviews and price. Booking early can save you money! Especially, if your move day is flexible because you can choose the best day with the best prices.
• Here’s a tip! Usually, the middle of the month/week is cheaper than weekends and the beginning/end of the month, when most people move.

7 Weeks Before Moving:

• Contact the IRS or an accountant to find out what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.
• Get referrals for dentists and doctors in your new area.
• Notify your children’s school for records to be transferred.

6 Weeks Before Moving:

• Start decluttering your home. Sort out all the items you no longer need and keep them separate.
• Make an inventory of your possessions and evaluate each item. Divide them into four categories: keep, give away to family, donate and sell.
• Contact your lawyers, doctors, dentists and other professionals to obtain copies of your personal records.
• Start letting everyone know you are moving, including your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and business associates.

5 Weeks Before Moving:

• Organize a garage sale to sell the items that you no longer want.
• Give away the items that you want to give to family and friends.
• Get in touch with charities to donate the items you wish to donate, some will even come and pick them up for you!
• If you are going to pack yourself, start collecting the boxes you need. You can find free boxes or purchase new ones.

4 Weeks Before Moving:

• Contact your utility companies (electricity, water, and gas) and other service providers (the internet, cable, and telephone) to disconnect your service at your old address and to connect the service to your new address.
• Start packing the things that you will not need to use in the coming month.

3 Weeks Before Moving:

• If your new home is in another city, make travel arrangements and hotel reservations for your trip.
• Get all your important documents organized into one safe place, this way you can’t lose them.

2 Weeks Before Moving:

• Contact your banks to notify them of your move and update them with your new home address.
• Have your car serviced and make sure that it is ready for the trip.

1 Week Before the Move:

• Pack your remaining belongings.
• Finish giving away, donating or selling all the items you are not taking with you.
• Stop shopping for groceries. Try to use up the food that you have in your fridge and pantry.
• Make sure that all the utilities and services have been disconnected at your old address and connected to your new address.

Check out our other great posts for additional moving tips!

How Many Movers Do You Need For Your Move?

One of the biggest misconceptions in moving is that less is better when it comes to manpower. On one level, it makes sense. For local moves, customers generally pay per hour per mover. Fewer movers mean a cheaper move, right? Well, not exactly.

For lack of a better term for the hardworking men and women who pack boxes and lift heavy furniture for 8-12 hours a day, movers are important tools. As any mechanic or handyman will tell you, it you don’t have the right tools for the job, the job won’t get done right.

It’s the same with moving. If you don’t have enough movers, the move will take much longer and it could even end up costing you more. How? For one, tired movers are slower movers, and if they don’t have the help they need, they will become unnecessarily tired.

More than that, though, each mover in a move has a very specific role. One or more might pack. A couple might wrap furniture and another loads the truck.

Sure, too many movers can trip over each other. That’s why a moving company should know as much as possible about your move before arriving. That way they can properly prepare and make your move as fast and as inexpensive as possible.

How many movers do you need?

Naturally, the answer to that question depends on your home. While things can vary (I’ve seen one bedroom homes need five or six movers), here is a general rule:

A typical studio or one bedroom apartment will need two movers (one mover is a very bad idea and generally never done, even for tiny moves).

Two and three bedroom homes generally need three to four movers.

Four bedroom homes typically need four to five movers.

Anything larger than that can vary and will absolutely need an on-site assessment.

There are several variables. If you have a lot of stuff, or if you are very minimalist, things might be different. If you have stairs or if the truck needs to park far away from your front door, an extra mover might be called for. If you have a piano, it might require an extra mover or two. Talk to your moving coordinator.