Tips, Hacks, and Tricks To Master Your Move

“It is a comfortable feeling to know that you stand on your own ground. Land is about the only thing that can’t fly away.”

—Anthony Trollope, Victorian novelist

Finally.

You’ve slapped your John Hancock on the closing paperwork. You’re happy with your loan … well, as happy as you can be, considering the magnitude of the debt you just accepted. Stress dreams have mostly subsided, barring the occasional vision of some movers dropping your grandmother’s curio cabinet, shattering this priceless antique while they run off with your money. Moving can be a pain in the you-know-what. That’s why we’ll share some expert tips and tricks to help make the process as easy and pain-free as possible.

How to get a moving estimate that won’t become a moving target

Moving can get even more stressful when you don’t know how to get a moving estimate you can trust. This can lead to massive misunderstandings when movers quote you one price before you move, and a different (and much higher!) number after it’s over. So what gives? The fact is, there are many ways to get a moving estimate, and they all come with their pros and cons. Here are some things you need to know to get an estimate you can trust.

How our Moving Cost Calculator can help

For starters, you can get an instant estimate for your move using this Moving Cost Calculator, which will ballpark the cost of your move based on the number of rooms you have, how far you’re moving, and other variables. Just keep in mind that the Moving Cost Calculator is just a start. To get a more accurate estimate, you’ll have to contact a moving company and get its take on the situation.

Binding vs. nonbinding estimate: What’s the difference?

So you want to know precisely how much your move is going to cost? Get a binding estimate, where a moving company tells you upfront all of your moving costs, including fees, taxes, and insurance. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), movers who provide a binding estimate can’t require consumers to pay any more than the estimated amount at delivery. There are a couple of caveats, though. Getting a binding estimate upfront may incur an initial fee. And with a binding estimate, “Movers will often charge more money to build in an extra cushion, in case the move takes longer than expected,” says Scott Michael, the American Moving and Storage Association’s president and CEO. By comparison, a nonbinding estimate is free, but the cost that you’re quoted is only an estimate, and is subject to change. If the nonbinding estimate is based on weight, the movers can charge up to 10% more once they get the official weight on your goods, after packing them into the vehicle and stopping at a weigh station. 

Get your moving estimate in person

You can obtain a moving estimate over the phone, by email, or in person. Michael recommends getting estimates from at least three movers in person. “Doing it in person ensures that the mover will see all the items that need to be shipped, and can identify any complications in advance,” Michael says. “For instance, if there are low-hanging tree branches that would prevent the moving truck from being able to pull up to your house, that’s something you want to know ahead of time.” To obtain an accurate estimate, you’ll want to do a walk-through of your home with the mover a couple of weeks before your move. Michael recommends going room to room with the mover, “showing the person every single item the company is going to move.” Point out items that you plan to transport yourself, and flag valuables, like artwork or antiques, that need to be handled differently or insured at a higher rate. “You may need to get an insurance policy from a third party to cover extraordinary artwork,” Michael says.

How to find reputable movers

To find a reputable moving company, make sure it has a state license to operate—and it should be happy to show you proof. If you’re moving out of state, you’ll need a mover that also has a unique license number, issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Unfortunately, every year, thousands of people fall victim to moving fraud. To avoid getting scammed, steer clear of moving companies that ask for a deposit, list a P.O. Box or a residential address, or offer a ridiculously lowball estimate. 

Moving.com also offers a variety of tools and resources to make moving easier, including information on the following:

• Various kinds of moving companies (international, local, shipping containers, and piano movers, ) and labor to help you move
• Truck rentals and boxes
• Storage solutions
• Auto transport
• Moving cost calculator
• Packing calculator
• Moving planner

The ultimate moving checklist

With all the excitement of new digs, it’s easy to forget some important tasks. So, before you move, check out this moving checklist for some things that should be done long before you settle in.

 Turn on utilities

Electric, gas, water—don’t assume they’ll be on and operational when you arrive. Instead, get all your utilities set up ahead of time. “Chances are the seller will be turning them off as of the closing date,” says Greg Beckman, an Annapolis, MD, real estate agent. Long before your move, try to check with the former owners to determine specifically what you’re paying for and what you need to set up, and get in touch with all of your new providers to switch services into your name. If you’re moving into a stand-alone house from an apartment, you might be surprised by the variety of utilities you need to set up. Expect to pay for water, gas, electricity, and trash—as well as any cable TV or internet services you desire if you hope to have an HGTV marathon while you’re unpacking.

Order an energy audit

One of the best ways to cut your energy bill is to order a home energy audit, says Rachel Foy, a real estate agent in Newton, MA. An energy audit is a professional assessment of your new home’s overall energy performance. This will show you how to make your home more energy-efficient (think insulating the attic, weather-stripping windows, sealing air leaks in crawl spaces), so it’s best to have one done and to make any related repairs before moving in. A home energy audit costs, on average, about $200 to $600, but some utility companies will do them for free.

 Do a deep clean

Break out the heavy-duty cleaning supplies! Because after all, “It’s never easier to do a deep clean than when the house is empty,” Beckman says.  Test smoke, radon, and carbon monoxide detectors Make sure these are functioning properly to protect your new home from fires and other emergencies.

 Set up the alarm system

If the home already has a security system installed, call the provider to confirm that service is set up, says Jennifer Baxter, associate broker at Re/Max Regency in Suwanee, GA.

Forward your mail

Don’t forget to update your address with the United States Postal Service. (Visit the Official Postal Service Change of Address website.) The postal service charges a $1 fee to verify your identity when changing your address online, so you’ll need a credit or debit card.

Note: Mail forwarding does not last forever. The majority of your mail will be forwarded for 12 months, which should give you plenty of time to update your address directly with friends, family, alumni associations, and other businesses you want to correspond with regularly (more on that next).

 Update your billing address

Inform your credit card companies, banks, or any other financial institutions about your new address. Also, if you frequently buy anything from a website, you can avoid future headaches by updating your profile with your new address.

 Change the locks

As soon as you get the chance, hire a locksmith to change all the locks on your home (don’t forget the back entrance or any other access points). While the odds are that the seller is trustworthy, you never know who else might have keys to your new home. Better to be safe than sorry. Just keep in mind, “It can’t be done until after closing,” says Chris Dossman, a real estate agent in Indianapolis. Doors aren’t the only locks that need changing: Buyers who use a community mailbox should make sure to have it rekeyed by the local post office, which should cost about $50. That’s not much at all for peace of mind that no one is digging through your mail.

 Check in with the homeowners association (HOA)

Does your new home have a homeowners association? If so, contact the HOA to make sure everything is up to date. You’re likely to need to fill out transfer paperwork so it has a record of the new ownership. You will also want to make sure you’ve read all HOA bylaws and restrictions long before closing. The latest official HOA documents should typically be procured and provided to you by the title company, with any fees for copies and processing paid for by the seller. Even great HOAs can be difficult to deal with, requiring meticulous paperwork and cumbersome restrictions, so make sure you understand these documents fully. You don’t want to get off on the wrong foot with your new neighbors, so full knowledge of how the association works is absolutely necessary. 

Make a detailed list of your belongings

Moving is a complicated, messy affair—so take the opportunity to make an inventory of your belongings during packing, labeling each box with what’s in it. “You’ll be grateful for the detailed description of contents stored within the myriad packing boxes that now surround you,” says Fox. There’s a bonus: A home inventory is worth its weight in gold if you have any sort of accident, such as a fire, or if a natural disaster leaves your home a wreck.

Buy fire extinguishers

Get one for every level of your home, make sure you know how to use it, and plan an escape route in the event of a fire.

 Childproof the home

Have kids? Every year, millions of children are hospitalized because of accidents around the home, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. So, before your bundle of joy starts toddling around the house, take steps to fully childproof your new home.

 Figure out the best nearby takeout

All done? Boxes in place, furniture in your home—if not in the right spot? Movers gone? The proper way to celebrate is with takeout and beer, eaten on the floor. Do your research ahead of time, so you know what you want to eat, and aren’t left scrambling an hour before closing time. “Know where the best pizza place or takeout is nearby,” says Eileen O’Reilly, a real estate agent in Burlingame, CA. “When you are crazy busy with moving in, you don’t want to get hangry.”

Congratulations! You’re finished … until it’s time to sell, that is. In the meantime, though, it’s time to resume doing what this whole journey is all about: enjoying your amazing new digs.