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1. Declutter so you can pack less.

A crucial packing tip for moving is ensuring you don’t bring anything to your new home that you no longer need. Lighten your stress and workload by decluttering before you enter the packing stage, which means figuring out what to toss, keep, sell, or donate. Pro tip: Take measurements of your new home and remove any furniture that won’t fit or that you know you won’t use.

2. Make a moving folder

Start collecting new addresses, rental or purchase papers, moving contracts, and more in one folder. (Consider a hard copy, rather than a digital one, in case computer or phone batteries die during the move.) If any questions come up during the planning process or the move itself, you'll have the answer (and records of agreements, payments, and more) on hand.

3. Pack as far in advance as possible

Ideally, you'll know about a move (even if you're not sure of the final destination) weeks or even months in advance. Start by packing off-season items and the items you won't miss. If you're moving in summer, you can pack winter coats in advance—and likely books and other once-in-a-while items. When it's finally time to move, many items will already be ready to go, giving you less to stress about.

4. Book early

If you're hiring moving services, renting supplies, or hiring professionals such as painters or cleaners to work on the house, book early. Waiting to do so could mean paying a higher price, or not being able to get a truck or movers at all, particularly if it's peak moving season.

5. Schedule utilities for your new place

Once the dates are finalized, contact your utility providers to schedule service at your new home. You don't want to arrive there, tired from the move, only to find that the electricity, water, or heat is off. Schedule it ahead of time, and keep records of your requests in your moving folder. At the same time, request service stops for your move-out date at your current home.

6. Keep the essentials with you

On the night before the move, tuck everyday essentials—a change of clothes, a toothbrush, must-have stuffed animals or toys for the kids, medications, paperwork, etc.—into a suitcase or bag you'll keep with you in the car, the truck cab, or on the plane. If catastrophe strikes and the moving truck gets lost, at least you'll have some essentials with you.

7. Invest in equipment

A few days before the big move, stock up on supplies. The last thing you want is to have to make a run to the store while you're packing moving boxes or making sure everything is out of the house. Order or purchase box cutters, adhesive bandages, permanent markers, packing tape, paper towels, and garbage bags. (If they aren't all used during the move, they'll still be useful afterward!)

For larger moving equipment, considering renting moving tools from a moving company. (If you hire a moving service, they'll likely have their own.) If you move very frequently, you may be better off purchasing these tools. Either by buying, renting, or borrowing, make sure you have a furniture dolly, furniture pads or covers, and tie-down straps or rope at your disposal during the move.

8. Label and take photos of furniture parts and accessories.

Take the extra time to protect larger pieces of furniture before you move. empty all drawers and bookshelfs beforehand. Also, label cables, drawers, doors, and anything you need to remove so you know where it goes when you put it back together. Put screws and bolts into plastic bags and tape these to the back of the furniture for safekeeping.

You can take photos of any furniture or home appliances you take apart during the moving process to guide you to put them back together. For example, when packing up electronics, please take a photo of the back configuration to remember which cord goes where when you set it up in your new space.

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9. Book  elevator service in advance for moving if you move into or out of  apartment/condo

Booking an elevator will make your apartment move smoother and faster as you won’t need to compete with others for its use.

If you don’t reserve the elevator, other residents will use it during the time of your move and you and your movers will spend a lot of time waiting for it. This will slow down your move, will cause a lot of frustration, and, if you’re using professional moving services, will cost you – you will have to pay the movers for the wasted time.

What’s more, the elevator doors may unexpectedly close on your items while they’re being loaded or unloaded (because the elevator has been called elsewhere) – and this may easily result in damage to your belongings or even personal injuries. In the best case scenario, the elevator will simply depart with your items in it and you (or your movers) will have to chase it up or down the building.

If you book the elevator, on the other hand, none of this can happen. You and your movers will have exclusive use of the lift – no one else will be able to use it, so the elevator will stay on the floor where you need it and the doors will stay open as long as necessary.

Booking elevator for moving will greatly speed up your move and will save you a lot of headaches and hassle – and even some money on your final moving cost.

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