32 Moving Tips and Tricks the Pros Do That You Can Too

3. Don’t let movers “squeeze you in”

If a moving company is booked on your moving day, find another moving company.

“Don’t beg a mover to squeeze you into his schedule on the last Saturday in July,” says Mike Glanz, the founder and CEO of HireAHelper, an online marketplace for hiring hourly moving labor. “That’s when his schedule is most full and ‘squeezing you in’ might actually mean you’ll be getting his least trained crew, exhausted from four moves before yours, showing up three hours late.”

4. Reserve movers’ earliest time slot at the beginning of the month

Ryan Carrigan, the co-founder of moveBuddha, an online platform that helps people compare moving companies and estimate moving costs, says, “If you’re hiring a moving company, book the earliest morning time slot available. The moving crew will be fresh, so they’ll get the job done faster and typically do a better job.”

Glanz adds, “This is especially true in the summer when moving crews are slotted for up to five or six move jobs in one day. If your loading request ends up as their fifth move, even if you get the best crew in town, they’re going to be exhausted, work slower, and might even drop a thing or two.”

5. Rent a moving truck instead of using the mover’s truck

A hired mover with a moving truck costs significantly more than it would if you hired a mover and rented a truck separately. Rent a moving truck or reserve a moving container to use for the duration of your move. Then, hire moving labor to load and unload it.

“By separating the transportation and the labor, you stay in complete control of your stuff, and it’s far more affordable than a full-service moving company,” says Glanz. “A full-service move normally costing $2,600 could be done for $800 using this approach.”

6. Schedule time off from work

With a full-time job, the weekend is the most convenient time to move. But if you cram a whole move into two days, Monday turns into a rude awakening. Give yourself an extra day or two to pack or unpack to avoid stress and fatigue.

7. Don’t buy groceries within two weeks of moving

Try to use up what you already have in your freezer, fridge, and pantry before moving day. This helps reduce food waste, makes packing easier, and ensures you’re not transporting or tossing unused groceries. It also lets you start fresh in your new home without unnecessary spending right before the move.

8. Get all of your moving supplies in one trip

There’s nothing more inconvenient than running back and forth to Home Depot because you ran out of moving supplies. Get everything you need in one trip to save time as you pack and move.

9. Find free boxes that are small and sturdy

“Free boxes from liquor stores or big box retailers are a great way to save some cash,” says Carrigan. “Just make sure you only get sturdy, good-quality boxes. Also, avoid grocery store boxes as they may contain pests.”

Go for small or medium-sized boxes instead of big ones. This is a common mistake people make while they move, according to Professional Organizer Ben Soreff, creator of House to Home Organizing.

“Many people get excited when they find a huge moving box, thinking it will solve their problems, but it actually creates problems. A person needs to be able to carry it,” Soreff says. “Banker boxes or copy paper boxes make great moving boxes. If two people need to carry the box, especially up stairs, you lose time.”

10. Purge items to sell or donate

Go through your items before you pack to decide which items you’ll keep and which you’ll get rid of.

“Having a yard sale can be a terrific way of lightening the moving load while making a little money at the same time. If you’re not for haggling with the public, then just donate your quality used items to Goodwill and take the tax write-off,” says Glanz.

Start to pack belongings

11. Keep important documents in a clear container

Don’t risk misplacing your tax documents, home sale and purchase documents, and employment records in the midst of the move. Get a separate container to hold important documents and keep it in a safe place as you box up your house.

12. Pack an overnight box for after the move

Plan for your first night in your new house. Spoiler alert: You’ll be exhausted.

“Put all your toiletries, medicines, and other personal items into a special box or suitcase that you take with you,” says Carrigan. “This way, you can find your toothbrush after an exhausting day of moving.”

13. Color-code and label boxes for each room

Stay organized with each packed box. Assign a color to each room and mark the boxes accordingly. Go the extra mile and label each box with its contents.

14. Make use of containers, baskets, and suitcases

To save boxes, pack your suitcases, storage containers, and laundry baskets with items first. Suitcases with wheels make it especially easy to transport your items.

15. Put plastic wrap over drawers and containers

Save time with plastic wrap. Leave silverware, jewelry, and folded clothes in their drawers or containers. Secure and cover them with plastic wrap, so they don’t fall out between point A and point B.

16. Leave clothes on hangers

Use a dry-clean bag or a plastic garbage bag to hold hanging clothes together. Then, simply carry the bundle from your old closet to your new closet. Leaving a neat, not-overstuffed closet makes the space look bigger and better organized in photos and during showings.

Buyers do open closets, and when they see things looking tidy, it gives the impression that the home has been well cared for. It’s an easy staging win that keeps things looking clean without you having to fully pack everything away.

»Learn more: If something as simple as organized closets can influence buyer perception, imagine what bigger selling mistakes might be doing behind the scenes. Use the Home Seller Mistake Mashup Machine to clean up your process before buyers start walking through.

17. Wrap fragile items in soft linens

You can save space in boxes and bubble wrap when you wrap hand or dish towels around fragile items. Stuff drinking glasses with clean pairs of socks to prevent them from breaking (and remember to give the glasses a quick rinse before you use them).

18. Get space bags for miscellaneous clothes and linens

Vacuum seal storage bags save major space in boxes. Throw miscellaneous clothes and linens into a space bag, roll or vacuum the air out, then stack the bags into a box.

19. Use plastic wrap to secure lids on fluids

Take the lid off of liquids like condiments and shampoos, put a layer of plastic wrap over the top, and then put the lid back on. This will help prevent leaks during transportation.

20. Save your makeup with cotton balls

Stick a cotton ball in powdered makeup like blush and eyeshadow so it doesn’t crumble into pieces during your move.

21. Put knives in an oven mitt for protection

As you pack up your kitchen, put the sharp end of knives into an oven mitt or wrap them in a dish towel. Use some packing tape to secure them to prevent injuries when you unpack.

22. Put small kitchen items like spices and measuring cups into pots

The space inside your pots is super valuable. You can fit spices, measuring cups, and other small kitchen items inside big pots. Put a dish towel in to reduce clings and clangs and prevent breakage on a bumpy ride.

23. Use tape or rubber bands to secure the lids on pots and pans

Once your pots and pans are full, secure the lid with packing tape or rubber bands to keep everything inside. Then, stack them in a box with bubble wrap or filler paper so they don’t break.

24. Take a picture of the back of your TV

Between your cable box, game consoles, surround sound speakers, HDMI cables, and Amazon Fire Stick, the back of your TV looks like the sound mixer at a rock concert. Before you unplug everything to pack away, take a picture of the back of the TV, so you remember where everything goes.

25. Keep screws and bolts in labeled plastic bags

If you take apart any furniture, keep all of the little pieces in a plastic bag. Then, tape the bag to the furniture, so you know where it belongs when you need to put it back together.

26. Clean or dust items as you pack them

Future self will high-five you for this one. Keep a duster or a roll of paper towels close by as you pack. Give each item a quick wipe before it goes in the box. Your new house will stay fresh and clean as you unpack everything.

27. Finish packing before moving day

Keep packing and moving separate. Start packing early and make sure everything’s done before the moving truck pulls up.

Make moving day a breeze

28. Set up shower and bathroom essentials first

Before you start loading and unloading, bring over toilet paper, soap, a few towels, and a shower curtain to your new house. Once you get in the zone of bringing boxes in and out, you’ll want to make quick bathroom breaks. At the end of the sweaty day, your new shower will be ready for you.

29. Stock the new house with easy meals

Bring a frozen pizza or a box of cereal to your new kitchen before you move. It’ll come in handy for a missed lunch or last-minute dinner while you’re busy getting settled in.

Partner for a Smooth Transition

A real estate agent can’t pack your boxes, but they can make the entire move a lot smoother by helping you time everything, avoid delays, and reduce last-minute stress. Partner with an agent early for a smoother sale and move.

Find a Top Agent

30. Pack a cooler with snacks and water

For an all-day affair like moving, on-the-go essentials like granola bars and water will replenish you while you drive and save time, so you don’t need to stop for meals.

31. Recruit friends to help

Rally the troops to make your move faster, easier, cheaper, and more fun. Offer first dibs on donation items, free beer, or a thank-you meal for their efforts.

32. Entertain kids with safe moving supplies

Moving day is a bore for kids and a distraction for you.

“Have the kids help unpack select boxes. Then let them play with the box and bubble wrap at an out-of-the-way spot where they’re free to use them as accessories to their imagination,” says Glanz.

Organize your move with tips and tricks from the pros

For every big move, preparation is key. Get ready well in advance to avoid common setbacks and last-minute stress. Pack strategically using expert hacks to make the process more efficient and less overwhelming. On moving day, lean on proven advice to keep things running smoothly from start to finish. A little planning goes a long way in turning chaos into control.

If you want to make your home sale just as smooth, partner with a real estate agent through HomeLight to reduce stress and simplify every step of the process.

Header Image Source: (Xan Griffin / Unsplash)