“Moving is fun!” said no one ever. Honestly, what’s to like? The dozen paper cuts acquired while building corrugated boxes? The crunching sound of a piece of the good china bearing the weight of that Le Creuset dutch oven that you packed on top of it? (No, that single sheet of Bubble Wrap didn’t do the trick!) Or how about the black soot stains on your clothes because you thought you’d save time by removing the air conditioner yourself? I can keep going!

These days, we’re all about cutting corners to save a few bucks, but when it comes to moving homes, you really are putting all your worldly possessions at risk. Piet Gauchat, the president of Olympia Movers & Storage, has seen it all and advocates getting professionals to do it for you. But it’s not as easy as Googling “cheapest moving service.” After all, you’re going to be trusting the people you hire to treat all of your stuff—from the pair of original LC2 chairs your grandparents bequeathed to you to the rinky-dink coffee machine your ex forgot to take—like Fabergé eggs. Choosing the right moving company is just as byzantine a process as the packing itself. Here, Gauchat gives ELLE Decor an insider’s guide to making sure you do it right.

Do Your Homework

“Hiring movers is not like buying an airline ticket. There are broad ranges of prices and tiers of service providers. Most companies can put out one or two good crews, but few moving companies deliver a consistently great relocation experience because they lack the infrastructure and training. You are trusting all of your treasured possessions to the movers, so ask for recommendations. If possible, take the time to visit the moving company’s facility. The condition of the trucks, the cleanliness of the warehouse, the crew uniforms, and how you are treated at the door all speak to the culture of the company.”

That Dennis & Leen base for the dining room table looks heavy. You going to move it yourself? Douglas Friedman

Keep an Eye on the Calendar

“The end of the month during the summer months is the busiest time for movers. It’s often more expensive to move during this peak season, and the moving crews are typically working very long hours. It is preferable from both a financial and service perspective to move in the off-season or in the middle of the month if possible.”

Let the Professionals Do Everything

“If you can afford it, consider letting the movers handle both the packing and moving. The whole process is stressful enough, and letting the pros take care of everything takes away a lot of the anxiety. If a full-service move is not an option, an alternative is to let the movers pack specific items of concern, such as china, stemware, and artwork.”

You break the Tony Cragg sculpture, you bought it! Oh wait, you already did? Shoulda hired a professional to move it. Douglas Friedman

Get Organized

“The better prepared you are, the smoother the process will unfold. From a practical standpoint this means that three weeks prior to your move, you should begin to purge or donate unwanted items. Take the time, in advance, to map out the layout of your new residence so that you can direct the movers where to place the furniture. Notify the utilities, phone, cable, and internet providers to avoid service delays. Updater has a great tool for address-change notifications.”



Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Pack

“Packing always takes longer than anticipated. Use appropriate moving boxes and materials to ensure the safe transport of your belongings. Tape boxes along all three seams. Make sure that all boxes are completely full, and use packing paper to fill out any empty space. Remember that the strength of the box comes from the inside. All boxes should be labeled on two sides and the top with your name, the room that the items came out of, and a brief list of contents. Stack boxes around the periphery of the room so that all items are easily accessible for the movers. (It is important to note that typically items inside of a box that you packed yourself are not covered for damage.)”

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Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

“Surprises are no fun on moving day and can be expensive. If you live in an apartment or condo, check with your building management about relocation policies and communicate these to your mover. Does a certificate of insurance need to be supplied? Does the elevator or loading dock need to be reserved? Is a parking permit necessary? If there are changes in scope, packing requirements, or building access, make sure that these are communicated to the moving company.”

Do Not Move Hazardous or Gooey Things

“Don’t pack anything that is flammable or that can potentially leak. This should be obvious, but just making sure.”

Just because the custom Mathieu Lehanneur pendant looks like Bubble Wrap doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to pack on your own. Douglas Friedman

Get Coverage

“By default, and at no additional cost, movers are required to offer a basic level of coverage in the event of loss or damage. Although it varies by state, typically this option equates to 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if a 10-pound end table is damaged, the mover’s liability is $6. Movers are also required to offer some form of “full-value protection.” This option provides coverage against loss or damage in the form of repair, replacement, or an appropriate cash settlement. For peace of mind, I strongly suggest procuring replacement-value coverage.”



Those five Warhols and the Billards Toulet convertible Ping-Pong table won’t move themselves. Douglas Friedman

Be Kind to Your Movers

“Moving requires technical skills, customer-service skills, management skills, strong backs, and problem-solving abilities. Movers are often placed in very challenging situations and have to balance the requirements of the job with the demands of the client. It is a job that few people are equipped to do well, and the great ones do it with a positive attitude and a smile. Although by no means a requirement, providing water or lunch is a nice gesture. If the crew does a great job for you, a tip is always appreciated. There is no formula for tipping the movers, but you can’t go wrong doling out somewhere between $20 and $40 per crew member.”

Be Kind to Yourself

“Don’t make flight arrangements or set meetings on the same day as your move. It will take some time to settle into your new home, so take the next day off of work if possible.”

Charles Curkin Articles Editor, ELLE Decor Charles Curkin is ELLE Decor's Articles Editor, covering everything related to the architecture, interior design, real estate, and travel industries, and has previously written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Paris Review.

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