8 Tips to Learn Prior to Moving!

Summer clients typically revolve around one thing: moving, moving, and more moving. Whether it’s a new job, a growing family, downsizing, or just needing a fresh start, this season brings a noticeable shift to new homes. However, this past moving season in Houston was a tad slow. We still had people moving across town, but … anyone place their home on the market in early summer and are still trying to sell it? I’ve had many clients and friends experiencing a buyers’ drought this summer. Luckily, the market is shifting and more and more people are looking at homes. 

So, if you’re gearing up for a FALL move, or know someone who is, these eight moving tips will help you avoid common pitfalls, reduce stress, and set yourself up for success in your new space. Moving doesn’t have to feel chaotic. With the right mindset and some thoughtful planning, it can be a powerful opportunity to reset your home and your life.

So, what have I learned from my 25 lifetime moves (hi, I’m a Navy Brat) and multiple others I’ve helped with?

Plan ahead. Here are 8 moving tips to tell you how to do that: 

Tip 1: Create lists

Make a list of all of the accounts that you will need to turn off in your current home and set up in your new home:

• • water
  • gas
  • electric
  • insurance: home, flood, wind, earthquake, etc
  • trash
  • cable/satellite
  • internet
  • security alarm

Make a second list of all the accounts where you need to change the physical address: 

• • bank
  • anything attached to your credit card
  • USPS
  • subscriptions
  • cellphone

Tip 2: Declutter

Before. You. Move. I cannot stress this enough. This could potentially save you hundreds of dollars as you:

• • may have enough to host a garage sale (or sell on Poshmark, FB Marketplace, Craigslist, etc.), so you’ll make some money
  • won’t have to buy as many boxes
  • will possibly need a smaller moving truck
  • (your) movers will be done faster as they have less to load and unload.

1. Go through all of your belongings, literally, every closet, every drawer, even the boxes you haven’t opened in over a year or that you “know what’s in there and you want to keep it all”. Everything. Then decide if you will:
   • keep
   • donate
   • sell
   • give away/return
2. Check out this list of common non-allowable moving items, so you’ll know what to discard before your movers arrive.
3. Lastly, check out Green City Recycler who accepts all clothing, shoes, household lines, belts, purses, hats, and toys, no matter the condition. The clothes that are not in good condition with holes, rips, etc., are cut into rags and sold to industries that use recycled clothing as raw materials in the production of new products.

Tip 3: Free Boxes

Log into Facebook Marketplace and search “Free moving boxes”. This is an easy way for people to clear all the boxes from their home (to your benefit!). Most often these boxes have only been used once, and you can save yourself hundreds of dollars. You can also post on FB after you’ve unpacked and are looking to remove the boxes. Just don’t list your specific address on the ad (private message it to the one person coming to pick it up).

Tip 4: Visualize

As you’re placing hands on each item to decide what you’re keeping, visualize the rooms in your new home, and what you will place where. Then categorize like items together. For example, if your heavy winter clothing is currently stored in your guest closet, but you plan to store it in your new main bedroom closet, move it to your main bedroom before the move. Match all Tupperware lids to its bases and recycle solo ones. Shift all office supplies back into the office and so forth. We do this before the packing so unpacking and creating organizing systems is easier in the new place. Plus, we don’t want to transport anything that we’ll immediately donate when we unpack it.

Visualizing tips

1. Walk around your current home and label the furniture and all the boxes with the new room assignment. For example, is everything in the office going into the new office? Do you have a sunroom that you didn’t have before and now half your living room furniture will be in there? Oh, no, there isn’t an office in the new home, where do all the office boxes go?
2. I like to color code boxes/furniture to assigned rooms (you can buy labels from Amazon) as it’s easier for the movers to see a color than to read each box. Be wary of placing the stickers on furniture (these ones are recommended for not leaving sticky residue on furniture).
3. When taking apart anything, place all parts inside a Ziploc bag, label it, and then tape it to the largest piece. This way, you’ll have everything you need to set up the bed, dresser, tv stand, etc., without having to dig through any boxes. Some movers also put all parts inside separate bags, place in a larger bag and give you the larger bag to transport. And if there aren’t any bags, they’ll wrap it in moving paper. 
4. Make sure to label the box FRAGILE if there’s anything breakable inside. 

Tip 5: Personal Vehicle Packing

If moving out of state, make a list of everything you will need within the first 5 days (I recommend 5 days because sometimes there are delays and it’s better to over-prepare than under-prepare). If moving locally, I still recommend packing for 2 days. Then box it up (or place in a suitcase) and transport it in your personal vehicle. This includes:

• • packing for a 5-day trip: clothes, toiletries, hairdryer, etc.
  • anything you store in your safe: important documents, mad money stash, nice jewelry, etc.
  • basic tools: hammer, nails/screws, screw drivers, pliers, box cutters
  • cleaning supplies: dish soap, sponges/rags, multi-surface spray, trash bags, hand soap
  • electronics: phones, laptops, e-readers, chargers, etc.
  • daily vitamins/medications
  • sheets/comforter/pillows
  • towels/washcloths/shower curtain
  • toilet paper (most important!)
  • tea/coffee (caffeine!)
  • and to help you feel normal and somewhat civilized: a set of plates, cups, and silverware (or buy plastic silverware and Styrofoam plates for easy cleanup).
  • *you can also pre-purchase and cut shelf liner so the shelves are ready before the movers arrive.
  • Lastly, keep some cash for tipping or last-minute purchases.
  • If you have children or pets, pack food, clothes, medications, etc. for them as well.

Tip 6: Food

Ideally, you’re only moving an hour or two away and can deliver the food via cooler. However, if you are moving long distance, it’s best to whittle down the food supply in advance, so you do not have to throw anything into the trash. A month before you move (sometimes longer if your fridge and freezer are packed full), start planning meals around the food in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. The goal is to use the majority of what you have and only buy a few fresh ingredients as your move date becomes closer. If you still have food left near moving day, and you don’t (or can’t) move it in your personal vehicle (moving companies won’t move perishable food), consider donating it to a local food bank. In addition, don’t forget to store snacks and ready-to-go meals in your personal vehicle during the times when movers are loading and unloading. You’ll need a pick-me-up throughout the moving process. Oh, and have lots of water and electrolytes on hand. 

Tip 7: Storage Items

If you know you’ll be storing items in your new home, skip the moving box and just buy a bin to transport these items. Then the bin goes into your garage or closet in the new home. Plus, it’s one less box to unpack! This works great for holiday decor or photographs and other keepsakes. 

Tip 8: Soft Items

You can use heavy duty trash bags to transport large soft items such as comforters, blankets, sheets, towels, etc. This will save you money on buying large boxes (30 bags for the price of one box…loving it) and be easy to unpack in the new home.

Bonus Tip: Dealing with movers

I’m asked by all my clients: do we tip movers? Emphatically, yes. Movers are some of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen. How much is up to you though. Pay attention to their work ethic, the challenges of the job, and tip accordingly. Are they hustling or being super careful around that tight turn? Were there a lot of stairs or did they lay down protective covering over the floor? Are they working hard in Houston summer heat?

I’ve seen clients tip 10-25% on the bill total each day, $20-$100 per mover or just offer pizza and Gatorades. Cash is best and ideally hand it to each mover at the end of the day.

There we glooooow! Eight moving tips to help you cruise through your chapter of moving. As an organizer, I’ve seen firsthand how moving can feel like a tornado of decisions, logistics, and emotions. But I’ve also seen how a little preparation can make the entire experience smoother, calmer, and even (dare I say it?) empowering. Did any of the above trips give you an “aha!” moment? Did I miss any that you’ve found helpful in the past? Please share below in the comments to help out fellow movers. <3

Packing Checklist for Moving Across State Lines

Download PDF Checklist: Packing Checklist for Moving Across State Lines

Ask your movers

1. Are they taking everything apart and putting it all in one bag or taping to the furniture piece? Can give them Ziploc bags if you desire (else they’ll fold into packing paper).  
2. Expected date/time to arrive at new home? 

To Do Before You Leave

1. Pre-packing Inventory: recommend walking around the house and taking video of everything, including inside cabinets, drawers, closets. Especially your more expensive items.
2. FOOD: they can pack all dry food, but you’ll need to toss (or donate to a friend/the church) the stuff in the fridge/freezer…. 

• • If you’re taking your fridge: you’ll need to empty it ahead of time and unplug it with the door open, so it defrosts before movers arrive.

Create Lists

1. Of all the accounts that you will need to turn off in your current home and set up in your new home
   • Water, gas, electric, insurance (home, flood, wind, earthquake, etc.), phone, trash, cable/satellite, internet, security alarm, pest, lawn
2. Of all the accounts where you need to change the physical address
   • bank, car insurance, anything attached to your credit card, USPS, subscriptions, cellphone, clients, medical records? Etc.

Taking in Vehicle / Suitcase

1. If you’re driving: a cooler for drinks/snacks
2. Pack for 5 days 
   • What are temps in new place and any areas driving through? 
   • Travel / comfy clothes, toiletries, hairdryer, comfy shoes, makeup, fav jewelry, perfume, etc.
   • Small first aid kit
3. Anything you store in your safe
   • Important documents: all paperwork from move, passport/birth certificate/SS card (if you think you’ll need it) 
   • Mad money stash
   • Nice jewelry, valuables, etc.  
4. Basic tools 
   • Screw drivers, pliers, box cutters
   • Your movers >should< have tools and do all the work for you, but it’s always been handy to have
5. Electronics 
   • Phone, laptops, e-readers, chargers, portable battery charger
   • Download audio books or podcasts for your travel entertainment
6. Daily vitamins/medications 
   • Maybe do enough for 10 days or take them all in the SUV…just in case the truck gets lost
   • Have a copy of all the medications you take, in case you need to buy more 
7. Bedding / Towels
   • Sheets, comforter, pillows for bed (movers will set it up for you)
   • Towels, washcloths, shower curtain
8. Tea/coffee (caffeine!) + Favorite Snacks or ready to go meals (can also buy there)
9. A set of plates, cups, and silverware for meals.
10. Your Plants – they’ll enjoy the ride!

Buy There

1. Toilet Paper (or pack a few rolls for arrival day). 
2. Cleaning Supplies:
   • Did you have your new house cleaned? Highly recommend before your moving trucks arrive (even if previous home owner said it was cleaned)
   • Dish Soap, sponges/rags, multi-surface spray, trash bags, hand soap
3. Toiletries: shampoo/conditioner, etc. for shower (or take in SUV)

For more discussion on how to label bins and boxes, listen to the Podcast: ‘L’ is for Labeling Everything.