13 Amazing Moving Yourself Tips (in Photos)

We all want to move out quickly and forget about the whole moving thing as soon as possible. All those expenses and stress associated with the moving process can make you wonder if there is another way to do that.

The short answer is: There isn’t!

But you can make it smoother by doing some important things in advance which will save you time and a lot of money.

Organize a moving sale

By selling the stuff you don’t need anymore, you will effectively lower your overall moving expenses. I am not talking about downsizing here. Just have all the things you intent to replace with new ones sold. You can do that at a garage sale or online, and this is enough to lower you moving costs (and accumulate some cash in the process to help with those costs).

When moving interstate, movers usually charge by the weight, so moving less stuff means a cheaper move. Read how to organize a moving sale here.

Measure your large furniture and doors

Make sure your stuff fits the doors of your new home and save yourself the hassle. If you have some large furniture pieces that will not make it, you may consider checking out the previous tip one more time. Don’t move the furniture just to realize you will need to replace it with another piece and find yourself paying extra for moving.

Tip for moving out quickly – Label your boxes

It may seem counter-intuitive but spending some extra time to label your moving boxes will save you a lot more time in arranging your new place (and will help you unpack in stages).

Pay extra attention to the fragile boxes when handling them during the move. Make sure you mark each box with the most valuable information, such as content, destination room, and most importantly when moving breakables – FRAGILE and HANDLE WITH CARE.

Open first box

This is the box that you will open first when you move in – documents, passports, jewelry and all those valuable things you want to pay extra attention to.

If you are using movers, make sure you do not let the movers move that box. Handle that box yourself. Read more on what to put in the open-first box here.

Parking permits

Big cities are notorious for their parking issues. Just don’t forget to reserve a parking spot for the moving truck so you (or your movers) don’t have to carry your household belongings two blocks away to your new home.

If moving to NYC you may want to prepare extra $150 for a parking ticket. In fact, many moving companies will require a deposit in case they get a parking ticket while moving you.

Moving tip – change of address

Who knows that you are moving? Let everyone important know, so you don’t get unpleasantly surprised. Start with the utilities and go through all your subscriptions. Then, you can tell all your friends and neighbors. Here are some more ideas on who to notify when moving out.

Moving yourself tips – save on boxes

Moving boxes can be expensive. Especially when you need lots of them. There are so many ways to find cheap (or free) moving boxes that we have a separate post about it here.

Reserve the freight elevator for moving

Most apartment buildings have a separate elevator (called freight elevator) for moving. Just cover one of the elevators with blankets when you are about to move.

In either case, you need to notify the management in advance, so you can have the elevator reserved just for you during your move even if you are moving by yourself. This will speed up the moving process significantly.

Cover mattresses when moving

We all know how expensive a good mattress can be. This is why you should spend some extra bucks on proper mattress covers even if you are doing a DIY move.

Here are some basics on:

• Moving a King Size Mattress
• Do’s & Don’t’s When Moving A Queen Size Bed

Understand the paperwork

Do you know what you are about to sign? If not, you may be in big trouble. If you are using a moving company, you should definitely request all the paperwork in advance.

You don’t have the time to read the 10 pages of small font? Things may get ugly. And believe me, we know – we are the place for moving reviews and you just can’t imagine how many horror stories we have read with the same old issues over and over again. Just spend some time and read this article on moving paperwork.

Moving tips for clothes – hanging clothes in bags

Yes, hanging clothes in garbage bags is so easy and effective. The alternative is to pack your clothes in wardrobe boxes, but the price of a wardrobe box can go up to $15 a piece and you may need about 10 to store all your stuff. Either way, pack your clothes carefully to make sure they survive the move.

MUST READ: How To Best Pack Clothes For Moving

Save your back – use dollies

Having a durable hand-truck to take the load of the heavy furniture will literary save your back. If you want to survive the move and avoid hernia, rent a dolly from the nearest uHaul location or just buy a new one.

No space in truck – Solved

If you have more stuff that you can fit in your 16 feet truck that you have just rented for the move, then there is a solution. Extend the ramp of the truck (if there is one) and strap your stuff to the ramp with straps. You may want to use stretch wrap if you are moving long distance to avoid water damage from the rain. If there is no ramp that can be used, then you will rely solely on the straps and you need to be extra careful. You need to make sure your stuff does not end up on the highway causing an accident.

Bonus moving tip: Ask friends for help

What are friends for? Put them to a test and ask them to help you with the move. This way, you will have some fun while making the move. Don’t forget to buy food and drinks for the whole team.

Did you like this moving tips list? Are you hungry for more?
Check out these 34 Moving Tips in Photos post or have some fun with these funny moving photos post.

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