According to recent studies , 61% of people place moving homes at the top of their stress list, ahead of relationship breakdowns, divorce or even a new job. One way to ease this stress is to hire professionals to do all the heavy lifting, but that still leaves the packing and organization of your affairs. Ross Sapir, founder and CEO of Roadway Moving has compiled some of the lesser known do’s and don’ts for packing and moving, sure to turn your next move into a positive experience, no matter where in the world you’re moving.

Do’s and Don’ts of Moving:

  • DO all of the packing and labelling before moving day.
    • You’d be surprised how many people get stuck in the last minute rush to pack everything and move it all in one day. Make sure everything but a change of clothes is packed and ready to go.
  • DON’T forget to color code your boxes for each room.
    • Most people know to label their moving boxes but unpacking is much easier for you and your movers is your boxes are color coded according to room.
  • DO find free boxes at the grocery stores and online.
    • You can save tons of money on packing materials if you take advantage of the free packing materials at grocery stores or check online for free boxes. Craigslist’s free section is a great place to start.
  • DON’T forget to hire a babysitter or a pet sitter.
    • If your children are old enough they can be helpful throughout the process but if not, it’s better to have them secure and out of the way while you’re packing up and moving. The same goes for your pets, they tend to get underfoot of movers.
  • DO use packing materials you already have.
    • Suitcases are perfect for transporting items, especially things that are heavy or awkwardly shaped.
  • DON’T forget to pack an overnight bag to use on the first night.
    • After a long day of moving, you’re not likely to want to go through all of your boxes just yet. Pack and overnight bag with the essentials such as toiletries, a few outfits and pyjamas for use on the first night.
  • DO keep important documents with you.
    • It’s best to travel with your most important items in hand. Keep a file of important documents with you while you move so that they are less likely to get lost in the shuffle.
  • DON’T place small objects directly in boxes.
    • Keep sandwich bags handy for little pieces of electronics and label the bags specifically. These tiny pieces tend to get lost in the shuffle and can make life difficult when putting everything back together.
  • DO give specific tasks to any friends helping.
    • Make sure you plan out their specific jobs before they come over, this way they will be able to help out in the most efficient way possible.
  • DON’T forget to plan out a floor plan before you move.
    • Try to plan out where each item, especially the big ones, will go and how everything will look. This will make it easier to put things in the right place immediately upon arrival.