Each year, millions of individuals embark on the endeavor of relocating to new residences. In fact, 25.6 million people in 2023 made this significant change, marking a record low for relocations. Various factors motivate these moves, including job opportunities, expanding families, or simply a desire to be closer to loved ones. However, one common sentiment persists: the moving process can often feel overwhelming and exhausting.

The act of packing up your established home is a massive undertaking in itself. Once packing is complete, there’s the added challenge of transporting all belongings to the new location, which can quickly become chaotic and cluttered with boxes.

Enlist Professionals for Packing

Many movers provide professional packing services, allowing you to include this option when booking your moving team. If you intend to handle the move yourself but need assistance with packing, many movers or junk removal services offer standalone packing solutions. You can also explore platforms like TaskRabbit for individuals offering these services.

Estimated Cost: Approximately $60 per hour.

Delegate Utility Setup

A major source of frustration during a move is arriving at your new residence only to discover that utilities are not set up. Mismanaging internet installation or neglecting to update your address with the postal service can add unnecessary stress.

To alleviate this, consider utilizing a utility concierge service if available. Options like Move Concierge, Porch Utilities, or Utility Hound work with utility providers to manage account transfers and ensure service activation prior to your arrival, usually at no charge. They can also assist with tasks like updating your address and mail forwarding or rekeying locks.

Estimated Cost: $0.

Schedule a Cleaning Service Before Moving In

Your new home might either be spotless or a complete mess, and stepping into a filthy environment could derail your moving plans. If significant cleaning is required before unpacking, hiring a cleaning service offering move-in deep cleans can ensure you enter a livable space. This allows you to focus on setting up rather than scrubbing away someone else’s remnants.

Estimated Cost: Around $225.

Consider Professional Picture and TV Mounting

Another service that can significantly reduce moving stress is professional art and TV mounting. Correctly installing your TV not only requires skill but also proper planning to ensure it’s secure and positioned ideally. Similarly, aligning and arranging wall art to suit your space’s aesthetics can be a sizable task. Hiring experts—either through your moving service or platforms like TaskRabbit or Thumbtack—can provide peace of mind.

Estimated Cost: TV mounting: Approximately $100-200; Picture hanging: Roughly $40-$170.

Hire Furniture Assembly Experts

Furniture assembly is another service that can save valuable time and energy. Many moving companies offer this service or it can be sourced from platforms like TaskRabbit. If the thought of tackling complicated furniture assembly is daunting, hiring someone else to handle it can simplify your move.

Estimated Cost: Around $150-$200.

Consider Temporary Storage Solutions

It’s likely that your new home may have a different layout than your previous one, which can lead to storage issues. If your furniture doesn’t fit or closets seem smaller once filled, using a service like SpareFoot can help you locate temporary storage options. This platform enables you to compare storage facilities, filter by unit size, climate control, and security features to find the best fit for your needs.

Estimated Cost: Approximately $35-$100 per month on average.