Moving is a major event, and if not planned properly, it can put tremendous stress on your physical and emotional well-being, as well as your budget.

If you’re moving within the Austin area or out of town, our Austin’s Moving Guide provides a comprehensive overview of the moving process, with practical advice on how to plan, budget, and execute a move, whether you’re opting for a hands-off approach or doing it yourself.

Below are the key steps to ensure a successful, stress-free move.

Plan Like a Pro

Set Your Budget

• Hands-Off Move: More expensive but less stressful. Suitable if your budget allows for professional help.
• DIY Move: More affordable, but requires more time and effort. Look for free packing materials on Facebook Marketplace or Buy Nothing groups to cut costs.

Moving Timeline

• Block Your Calendar: Once you have a tentative moving date, add this date to your calendar and work backwards to block time for the following tasks:
• Get Quotes from Movers and Professional Home Organizers: This should take place no later than two months out from your move date. The sooner, the better.
• Declutter: Schedule this one month before your move and allow time to drop off donations. If you are working with an organizer, aim for two weeks prior (at the latest) to the packing date.
• Get Packing Materials: If you’re packing yourself, schedule one month prior to moving to pick up supplies.
• Packing: After decluttering, schedule time to start packing items you don’t need prior to moving.
• Utility Transfers: Two to three weeks out from the moving date, schedule time to call and set up or transfer utilities.

Now you have a solid timeline to keep you on track with your move. If you have to move unexpectedly, you can still use this guide, you’ll just have to adjust the timelines.

Moving Action Plan

Get Quotes

• Research and Ask for Recommendations: Ask people in your network for recommendations for moving companies and home organizers. Choose the top three, and do a Google search of the companies. Read their reviews, and if you like what you see, schedule each of them for a quote.
• Red Flags: Eliminate any company that doesn’t communicate effectively or respond within 24 hours. Choose one that is upfront about timeframes and costs. Trust your intuition when meeting the representative in person. If you get any bad vibes or if they avoid answering questions, consider it a red flag and move on.
• Pro Tip: Ask if they have liability insurance. If you proceed, request the Certificate of Insurance. If you are moving high-end property, you can purchase additional liability insurance from the Moving Company. If they refuse, do not hire them. This applies to any Third-Party companies used for disassembly or crating. I’ve seen clients face problems with uninsured movers.

Book Your Move

• Secure Your Date: Book your move as soon as you have a firm date. This is especially important during peak moving season. Most companies will ask for a 50% deposit to secure your packing and moving dates.
• Set Up Utilities: You’ll either be setting up new utilities or transferring your service. As soon as you have a firm move-in date, get this rolling.
  • Electric
  • Gas
  • Water
  • Cable
  • Internet
  • Phone (if you still have a landline)
  • Trash/Recycling Disposal
  • Renter’s Insurance
  • Homeowner’s Insurance

Declutter

• Benefits: Reduces moving costs and helps you start fresh in your new space. Don’t move with things you don’t want, like, or use—let that negative energy go.
• Professional Help: Consider hiring a home organizer for quick and efficient whole-home decluttering and donation drop-offs. They can also help sort/categorize for easy packing.

Pack

• Inventory and Photos: Document your belongings and their condition if you’re hiring professionals to move you. If anything is damaged during the move, you’ll have evidence of the condition prior to moving.
• Supplies: If you’re local and packing yourself, I highly recommend Texan Box in Austin for new packing supplies.
• Labeling: Ensure boxes are labeled by room to simplify unpacking.
• Professional Help: If you want a highly organized move, consider a professional organizing company that also does packing, especially if they will be helping you get unpacked and settled in. They will pack systematically, which helps the unpacking and setup go a lot quicker.
• Essentials Bag for Moving Day
  • What to Pack: Set aside a suitcase or travel bag with clothes, toiletries, electronics, or anything you’ll need for the next few days until you are settled in.
  • Other Considerations: Expensive jewelry, handbags, or shoes you don’t want anyone else handling.

Home Set-Up

• Professional Organizers: If your budget allows, hire a professional organizing team to get you unpacked and settled in. Some companies, such as Organized by Kris, offer full concierge moving services that allow you to keep living life without missing a beat during your move. Often, clients will stay in an Airbnb or hotel while their home is getting set up and organized.
• Hybrid Setup: A more budget-friendly option is to hire a professional organizing team to unpack and set up priority spaces only, while you set up the rest.
• DIY Setup: If you choose to unpack and set up your home yourself, start with priority spaces first and don’t delay unpacking everything.

This guide balances practicality with flexibility, offering solutions for various budgets and preferences. Whether you opt for a DIY move or professional help, planning ahead is key to a smooth transition.

Want to work with Organized by Kris? We’d love to assist!