FAQ

You can change your address with the US Post Office online.

1. Visit usps.com/move
2. Follow the prompts to fill out your change of address information with the post office.

Determine the square footage of your house. Based on the square footage, you can estimate how many boxes you’ll need.

• Less than 500 sq ft: 3 – 12 large boxes, 8 – 15 medium boxes, 12 – 18 small boxes, 2 – 5 dish barrels, and 3 – 5 wardrobe boxes.
• Between 500 – 999 sq ft: 5 – 15 large boxes, 10 – 20 medium boxes, 15 – 25 small boxes, 3 – 6 dish barrels, 3 – 6 wardrobe boxes.
• Between 1,000 – 1,499 sq ft: 10 - 20 large boxes, 15 - 25 medium boxes, 20 - 30 small boxes, 4 – 6 dish barrels, 5 – 7 wardrobe boxes.
• Between 1,500 – 1,999 sq ft: 15 – 25 large boxes, 20 - 30 medium boxes, 30 - 40 small boxes, 5 – 97 dish barrels, 5 – 10 wardrobe boxes.
• More than 2,000 sq ft: 20 – 30 large boxes, 25 - 35 medium boxes, 40 - 50 small boxes, 6 – 9 dish barrels, 8 – 12 wardrobe boxes.

1. Choose the appropriately-sized box. For heavy items, such as books, use a small box. For lighter items, like throw pillows, use a larger box.
2. Assemble your box. Fold down the flaps on the bottom of the box — smaller flaps should be folded down before the larger flaps. Then apply moving tape to the seam. If you’re packing something heavy, apply extra tape.
3. Crumple up pieces of packing paper and place them on the bottom of the box for cushioning.
4. If the items you’re packing are fragile, wrap them with packing paper. Use tissue paper for especially delicate items such as china.
5. Place each item in the moving box. Be sure to pack similar items in boxes, which makes unpacking much easier.
6. Pack the box as tightly as possible without overcrowding it.
7. Add extra packing paper to the top of your box if there’s extra room, so your items cannot move around while they travel.
8. Once your box is packed, secure the box with packing tape. Boxes should always be taped shut to easily stack during transport.
9. Label your box with its main contents and the room it belongs to.

1. Create a list of local moving companies you plan to research.
2. Get a quote from each mover. Make sure to get moving quotes directly from a company’s official website or phone number. Working with movers directly cuts out any middlemen and will result in the lowest price.
3. Get a feel for each moving company’s reputation by reading reviews from real customers.
4. Ask whether each company is licensed and how they’re insured.
5. Determine how each mover’s schedule works. Is your delivery date guaranteed? Will the same person who loads up your belongings transport and unload them as well?
6. Make sure you’re comfortable with how each mover charges, their cancellation policy, and whether or not a deposit is required.
7. Choose whichever company best fits your move; everyone’s needs are different.

1. Decide what you will pack in the moving box. Packing similar items in each box will make labelling easier.
2. Label each box on the top and sides, indicating what contents are in the box (e.g., utensils, books, or sheets).
3. Label each box with what room it belongs in, so the movers know where to place it in your new home (e.g., if the box contains your sheets, mark it master bedroom). This will simplify the unpacking process since you won’t have to move items from one room to another after unloading.
4. Number each box. Knowing how many boxes you’re moving in total will help ensure that nothing gets lost during the move.

There is no single best box for moving. Different items require different types of moving boxes. To avoid damage during the move, you’ll want a combination of standard sized boxes:

• Small box (1.5 ft3): best for heavy items such as books, canned goods, shoes, etc.
• Medium box (3 ft3): best for items without a uniform shape such as lamps, lamp shades, or small kitchen appliances.
• Large box (4.5 ft3) and extra-large box (6 ft3): best for light items like pillows and bedding.
• Picture box: best for framed artwork, mirrors, and other thin items that are fragile and breakable.
• Dish barrel and dish pack inserts: best for packing dishes and other fragile kitchen items.
• Wardrobe box: best for clothes on hangers.

Keep with you anything you or your family will use on the day of your move with you. Common items include snacks, toilet paper, paper towel, phone chargers, a change of clothes, toothbrush/toothpaste, and your kids’ favorite toys. Additionally, medications, important paperwork (e.g., birth certificates and social security cards), and anything highly valuable or sentimental (jewelry, credit cards, bank account information, etc.) should be set aside. On your moving day, place these essential items in a box or bag that you’ll carry with you to your new home.

1. Block off time in the days before your move to pack. Give yourself enough time to pack carefully without feeling overly stressed out.
2. Decide the order in which you’ll be packing up your home. The most common way is to pack up each room separately.
3. Begin packing the room in your home that gets the least amount of use.
4. Save essentials for last. You won’t want to pack items you use daily, such as a toothbrush, until the last moment possible.
5. If you don’t have time to pack yourself, you can hire professionals. Most moving companies offer packing services as well.

Generally, moving companies can give you an estimate over the phone. In some cases, movers may need to visit your home in person to give you an accurate quote. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may need an in-home estimate:

• Is your home 1,500 square feet or larger?
• Do you have any large or bulky items (e.g., safes or pianos) that may be difficult to move safely and securely?
• Does your home have any narrow hallways, doorways, or stairways that furniture cannot fit through?
• Will movers have difficulty parking a 26 ft. truck close to your home?
• Are you moving out of state?

You can often get boxes straight from the moving company you hire. Alternatively, large hardware stores often carry a good selection of moving supplies. Keep in mind, the size of your vehicle when picking up your boxes. Many large and medium boxes will not fit in two-door or small, four-door vehicles without having to be folded, which can damage the structural integrity of the box. Make sure to ask about the return policy for boxes in case you buy more than you need. If you are reusing old boxes or getting boxes from a retail or grocery store, check to make sure the boxes are clean, free of bugs, and do not have water damage, mold, or other structural damage that could cause the box to buckle during the move. While you can save money using free or old boxes, you do run the risk that they could cause damage to your items during the move.