Moving for the First Time?

If you're moving for the first time and feeling overwhelmed, don't despair. It's a common feeling no matter how many times you've moved.

Relocation.com Staff

Moving veterans have figured out that you'll be less stressed if you plan, plan, plan.

1. First, figure out your moving date, and work backward from there.

At least a month before you move, start researching moving companies and have one hired several weeks before you move. Taking care of this will help alleviate much of your stress.

Some tips on choosing a mover:

• If you're making a long-distance move (generally between states), your moving costs will be determined by the weight of your goods; if you're moving locally, your move will be figured by the number of moving company workers you need, multiplied by the number of hours you need them.

Remember that every service you request comes at a cost, like packing services, any 'bulky' items you need, or any third-party services like installing appliances. Always be sure to ask about any additional charges you might face, and get all of your estimates in writing.

• If you're moving for the first time, you might not have a ton of stuff to move. However, always get at least three moving companies to do an in-home visual estimate of what you need moved -- it's the only way to get accurate moving quotes. And beware the very low bid -- it could be an attempt to win your business, but jack up your charges later.
• The easiest to cut your moving costs is to have less stuff to move. So go through your items and get rid of things you're no longer using -- and be ruthless!

2. After you've got a mover, figure out a packing plan. Here's a simple one:

First, gather up all the moving supplies you'll need (buy more than you think you'll need -- you always need more than you estimate). Gather the supplies in each room, and set aside some space for packing.

In the weeks leading up to your move, first pack the items you won't need access to for awhile, and give each box a number, starting with 1, 2, 3 -- when you unpack, you'll unpack the higher-numbered boxes first.

As your move day gets closer, pack each room completely -- you'll have a great sense of accomplishment if you can mark these rooms off your list.

Moving ain't easy, but it will be much easier if you spend some time planning for it.