1. Create a list of local moving companies you plan to research.
2. Get a quote from each mover. Make sure to get moving quotes directly from a company’s official website or phone number. Working with movers directly cuts out any middlemen and will result in the lowest price.
3. Get a feel for each moving company’s reputation by reading reviews from real customers.
4. Ask whether each company is licensed and how they’re insured.
5. Determine how each mover’s schedule works. Is your delivery date guaranteed? Will the same person who loads up your belongings transport and unload them as well?
6. Make sure you’re comfortable with how each mover charges, their cancellation policy, and whether or not a deposit is required.
7. Choose whichever company best fits your move; everyone’s needs are different.

Generally, moving companies can give you an estimate over the phone. In some cases, movers may need to visit your home in person to give you an accurate quote. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may need an in-home estimate:

• Is your home 1,500 square feet or larger?
• Do you have any large or bulky items (e.g., safes or pianos) that may be difficult to move safely and securely?
• Does your home have any narrow hallways, doorways, or stairways that furniture cannot fit through?
• Will movers have difficulty parking a 26 ft. truck close to your home?
• Are you moving out of state?

1. Use a tape measure to measure the length and width of the room. In order to get the most accurate measurement, be sure to clear objects out of the way.
2. To determine square footage, multiply the length of the room by the width of the room.

If a tape measure is not available, you can also measure the area of the room using your own two feet.

1. Measure the length of your foot with a ruler.
2. Pace off the length of the room stepping heel to toe. If you need to, you can use the wall for support.

3. Multiply the number of steps by the length of your foot.
4. Divide that number by 12 to get the approximate number of feet from wall to wall.
5. Repeats steps 2 – 4 to measure the width of the room.
6. To determine the square footage, multiply the length of the room by the width of the room.

1. Block off time in the days before your move to pack. Give yourself enough time to pack carefully without feeling overly stressed out.
2. Decide the order in which you’ll be packing up your home. The most common way is to pack up each room separately.
3. Begin packing the room in your home that gets the least amount of use.
4. Save essentials for last. You won’t want to pack items you use daily, such as a toothbrush, until the last moment possible.
5. If you don’t have time to pack yourself, you can hire professionals. Most moving companies offer packing services as well.

You can change your address with the US Post Office online.

1. 1. Visit usps.com/move.
   2. Follow the prompts to fill out your change of address information with the post office.

Although our movers are trained to never ask or hint for tips from customers, they are allowed to accept tips should customers feel inclined for the hard work they received.

In terms of what to tip the movers, we encourage customers to tip whatever they feel is necessary for the job that was completed.

• Number of flights of stairs
• Distance of walk from the truck to the load or unload location
• The amount of time it takes to load and unload your items
• Driving time from the load to the unload location

1. Decide what you will pack in the moving box. Packing similar items in each box will make labelling easier.
2. Label each box on the top and sides, indicating what contents are in the box (e.g., utensils, books, or sheets).
3. Label each box with what room it belongs in, so the movers know where to place it in your new home (e.g., if the box contains your sheets, mark it master bedroom). This will simplify the unpacking process since you won’t have to move items from one room to another after unloading.
4. Number each box. Knowing how many boxes you’re moving in total will help ensure that nothing gets lost during the move.

1. Choose the appropriately-sized box. For heavy items, such as books, use a small box. For lighter items, like throw pillows, use a larger box.
2. Assemble your box. Fold-down the flaps on the bottom of the box — smaller flaps should be folded down before the larger flaps. Then apply moving tape to the seam. If you’re packing something heavy, apply extra tape.
3. Crumple up pieces of packing paper and place them on the bottom of the box for cushioning.
4. If the items you’re packing are fragile, wrap them with packing paper. Use tissue paper for especially delicate items such as china.
5. Place each item in the moving box. Be sure to pack similar items in boxes, which makes unpacking much easier.
6. Pack the box as tightly as possible without overcrowding it.
7. Add extra packing paper to the top of your box if there’s extra room, so your items cannot move around while they travel.
8. Once your box is packed, secure the box with packing tape. Boxes should always be taped shut to easily stack during transport.
9. Label your box with its main contents and the room it belongs to.