How to Move Stress-Free

Moving is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. In a recent study, researchers ranked moving as stressful as the death of a loved one or divorce. But it does not have to be that way. With the right kind of planning and care, you can learn how to move stress-free.

Plan Ahead

One of the greatest mistakes people make is failing to plan ahead. Waiting until the last minute—especially during the busy summer season—limits your options and may mean you can’t secure the professional services of a reputable mover on the date you prefer. Poor planning can also lead to less caution in selecting a mover, which can result in a poor moving experience and can increase the risk of being robbed by criminals posing as movers.

Moving Checklist

We suggest you begin making arrangements at least four to six weeks before the moving date. Consider printing a copy of a moving checklist and consulting other useful advice found on Moving.com.

Consider Moving During the Off-Season

Most people elect to move during the summer, when the kids are out of school and when vacations are normally taken. This means that from May to September movers are extremely busy. If you can arrange for your move at another time of year, you are competing with fewer potential customers and have a much better chance of securing a high-quality move from the company of your choice. Also, most movers offer better pricing during the off-peak season that generally runs between October and April.

Most people prefer to move at the beginning or end of the month, because most rent and mortgage payments are due on the first of each month. So, if you can move in the middle of the month, you have a much better chance of not only securing the moving professional you want, but also the pickup and delivery dates you require.

The American Moving and Storage Association contributed to this post.