Moving
Planning a smoother move, from choosing movers and packing to changing your address, setting up utilities and settling into your new home.
Planning a move
Planning a smoother move
Moving is one of the most stressful things most people do, but a clear plan makes it manageable. Starting early, decluttering before you pack and working through a checklist week by week takes most of the panic out of moving day.
Our moving checklist takes you from eight weeks out to moving day and beyond, covering movers or a DIY move, packing, utilities, address changes and your first days in the new home.
Moving is the best time to get rid of things you don't need, since every box costs money and time to move. Start with how to declutter your home, room by room.
If you're still deciding where to live, renting vs buying a home helps you compare the real costs. Before you move in, set up homeowners or renters insurance from the moving date, and check whether your current policy covers belongings in transit. Afterward, a quick round of checks from our home maintenance checklist helps you get to know your new home.
Common questions
Renting a truck and moving yourself is usually cheaper, especially for local moves, once you add up the truck, fuel, equipment, insurance and help. Movers cost more but save time and heavy lifting, and portable storage containers are a middle option.
For moves between states, check that the mover has a USDOT number and look it up on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Be wary of very low quotes, large cash deposits and movers who won't give a written estimate.
Interstate movers must include basic liability coverage, but it pays very little per pound of goods. Ask about full value protection, and check whether your homeowners or renters policy covers belongings in transit.