Most "moving tips" articles recycle the same generic advice: "start packing early" and "label your boxes." Thanks, very helpful. Here are 15 tips from professional movers who do this every day — the stuff that actually makes a difference between a smooth move and a nightmare.
1. Take Photos of Everything Before You Pack
Before you disconnect your TV, entertainment center, or computer setup, take photos from every angle. When you're reassembling at the new place, you'll thank yourself. Also photograph the condition of walls, floors, and fixtures at your old place for security deposit disputes.
2. The "Use It or Lose It" Rule
If you haven't used something in the past year, don't pay to move it. Every box you eliminate saves $10-$20 in moving costs and 5-10 minutes of time. Be ruthless. That waffle maker you used once in 2024? Donate it.
3. Pack a "First Night" Box
This is the one box you load last and unload first. It should contain: phone chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, basic medications, snacks, paper towels, toilet paper, a shower curtain, and bed sheets. Don't bury these essentials in a sea of boxes.
4. Use Clothes as Packing Material
Wrap fragile items in t-shirts, towels, and socks instead of buying bubble wrap. Your clothes need to move anyway — might as well use them as padding. Stuff socks inside glasses and wrap plates in dish towels.
5. Bag and Tape Hardware to Furniture
When you disassemble furniture, put all screws, bolts, and Allen keys in a labeled Ziploc bag and tape it to the furniture piece. This single tip will save you hours of frustration and trips to Home Depot.
6. Don't Move Empty Dresser Drawers
Leave clothes in dresser drawers — just wrap the whole dresser in stretch wrap to keep drawers shut during transport. This saves box space and packing time. Professional movers do this all the time.
7. Color-Code Boxes by Room
Skip the detailed labeling. Instead, use colored tape or markers: blue for bedroom, red for kitchen, green for living room. Put matching colored signs on doorframes at the new place. Movers can sort boxes at a glance instead of reading labels.
8. Heavy Items in Small Boxes
Books, dishes, and tools go in small boxes. Light items (pillows, linens, lampshades) go in large boxes. A large box full of books weighs 70+ pounds and is a back injury waiting to happen. Professional movers will thank you for this.
9. Protect Mattresses (Seriously)
A mattress bag costs $5-$15 and protects a $500-$2,000 mattress from dirt, tears, and bed bugs during transport. This is the best ROI of any moving supply. If you skip everything else, don't skip this.
10. Defrost Your Fridge 24 Hours Early
Movers won't (and shouldn't) move a fridge that's still wet inside. Unplug it the day before, clean it out, and leave the door cracked open. Put towels around the base to catch water. A wet fridge in a moving truck = water damage to everything nearby.
11. Keep Valuables With You
Jewelry, important documents, laptops, medications, and cash should never go on the moving truck. Transport these in your own vehicle. It's not about trust — it's about eliminating any chance of loss or damage to irreplaceable items.
12. Tip Your Movers Right
Standard tipping: $20-$40 per mover for a half-day move, $40-$60 for a full day. More if they handled stairs, rain, or heavy/awkward items. Tip in cash at the end of the move, and provide water and snacks throughout the day. Good movers remember good customers.
13. Schedule Utilities Before Move-In
Set up electricity, gas, water, and internet at your new place at least a week in advance with a start date of your move-in day. Moving into a place with no lights, no hot water, and no WiFi is an avoidable disaster.
14. Walk Through Before Movers Leave
Before your movers leave the old place, walk through every room. Open every closet and cabinet. Check behind doors and under sinks. It's shockingly common to leave things behind, and you don't want to make a separate trip (or pay for one).
15. Book Movers Early (Even for Same-Day)
The earlier you book, the more options you have. But even if you need movers today, app-based services like NEM offer same-day availability with instant pricing. The key is to book as soon as you know your date — whether that's two months or two hours from now.
Ready to move? NEM gives you an instant upfront price with same-day availability in 12+ cities. No hourly games, no hidden fees. Book your move at the-nem.com.