Even if your house is not yet listed for sale, or you don't know where to move your family after the sale, you can start to plan how you will store and move your household. You can save money and stress by getting ahead of your move.

When Should You Start Planning?

There are many moving parts to consider when moving. Start planning now. Experts recommend that you plan at least two months in advance of your move. This gives you ample time to plan how to move your furniture from Point A to Point B, as well as how to organize your items.

This allows you to compare prices and get bids from moving companies. In addition, you will be able to find the best places for moving boxes, packing material, and other accessories if you give yourself a solid two-month period.

Don't be discouraged if you need to make a move quickly. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Choosing DIY, Pro, Or Pod

You can count on your friends and family to help you choose whether you prefer to pay in pizza or professional movers. Or, you could use portable moving containers. The amount and type of stuff you have, how long you have to go, and the distance between them will all play a part in your decision.

Your Items: It may be worth paying more for professional moving services if you have expensive furniture or antiques. However, children-friendly furniture that can fit into a moving truck and is easy to transport might be more suitable for a DIY move or renting portable moving containers.

Your Time: A DIY or rental container move is a good option if you don't have the time to search for packing materials and boxes. If you have limited time or are busy wrapping up your sale of the home, hiring movers might be worth it.

Moving around town? Hiring movers may not be the best way to spend your money. Long-distance moves require a lot of planning and may be best left to a moving company. Unfortunately, you will soon be knee-deep in boxes and bubble wrap no matter which route you take.

Plan A DIY Or Pod Move

If you choose a pure DIY move, you pack, you drive, you unload. Renting a truck or moving a van will be the most expensive expense. In addition, it will be difficult to find friends to help you.

A moving container can be rented as an alternative to DIY. You will pick up the container from the company at a set time and pack it up. Then they will ship it to where it is needed. Many companies offer pod storage for an additional fee if you need to store your belongings until you move in. Pod storage is typically less expensive than hiring a professional mover or DIY.

After you have decided on a pod rental or truck rental, it's time to begin packing. You should start with the most used stuff (items that are in your garage or backyard). Next, you'll need to pack the living room, bedrooms, and bathrooms—finally, the kitchen.

One tip: Keep a small box of basic necessities ready for your first night in your new place. This includes dishes and silverware and basic cleaning supplies such as phone chargers, sheets sets, towels, and phone chargers.

Plan A Professional Move

Are you worried about trusting a moving company with your most valuable possessions? Ask your friends, family, and agents for recommendations on movers. Don't stop there. You can also check out customer reviews on Yelp and the Better Business Bureau, as well as other review sites.

After narrowing down your search, you can visit the websites of each company or call them. It is a smart idea to take down the complete legal name of each company, their years in business, as well as the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Motor Carrier(MC) license numbers. The DOT should license every moving company that operates in the United States. You can use this number to inspect records and safety ratings.

Set up a time for the movers to visit your home and give you an estimate on how much it will cost. To give an accurate estimate, it is crucial to show the movers everything in each room. Review the estimate carefully. Make sure to include information such as the distance between your new and old homes, your belongings, and any additional services the mover offers, such as packing boxes and moving boxes. Keep a copy of the inventory list and the estimate for your records.

We have some other packing tips, a checklist to notify, and what you can leave to your new home's owners when you are ready.