A little preparation goes a long way
Your packing & moving-day guide.
Know what to pack, what to keep with you and what to discuss before moving day. Start here, then bring your questions to your A to Z moving specialist.
Small steps that make your move easier.
Decide what goes where.
Make a simple room plan for the new home. Use the same room names on your boxes and on the doorways at delivery. Separate donation, removal and “stays here” items before the crew arrives.
Start with what you use least.
Pack seasonal belongings and spare-room items first. Keep everyday essentials accessible until the last day. Finish one small area at a time so the task feels manageable.
Share the details early.
Send photos of large or delicate pieces and tell us about stairs, elevators, parking or extra stops. If anything changes, update your specialist before moving day.
Give yourself a gentler first night.
Keep bedding, toiletries, chargers and simple meal supplies together. Plan where the beds and everyday furniture belong, and ask about Help Me Settle In if you would like help putting the little things away.
You don’t have to do everything yourself.
Ask for help with the parts that feel overwhelming: packing selected rooms, loading a truck, donation stops or coordinating while you’re away. We’ll talk through the options and include the agreed work in your plan.
Pack with the next room in mind.
Make each box easier to handle.
- Use sturdy boxes in good condition, packing tape and suitable cushioning.
- Put dense belongings, such as books, in smaller boxes. Keep boxes manageable and close the tops securely.
- Label the destination room and contents on the top and sides. Mark fragile boxes clearly.
- Fill empty space so contents do not shift. Keep heavy objects away from delicate pieces.
Make the first night easier.
- Keep a separate essentials bag with medications, chargers, toiletries, clothes and the keys you need.
- Set aside a clearly marked first-night box with bedding, towels and everyday kitchen basics.
- Keep move paperwork, identification, valuables and irreplaceable documents with you.
- Photograph cable connections and label cords before disconnecting electronics.
Prefer help with the packing?
We offer full or selected-item packing. Tell us what you want us to pack and what you will handle yourself so materials and time can be included in your plan.
Items to set aside before packing.
Some belongings need a separate plan. Do not hide hazardous materials inside ordinary boxes. Tell your moving specialist what you have and confirm the carrier or container provider’s restrictions before loading.
Hazardous items: keep out of ordinary moving boxes.
Examples include gasoline, lighter fluid, paint thinner, fireworks, propane cylinders, oxygen bottles and corrosive or toxic chemicals. Hazardous-material transport has special requirements; household moving service does not mean these items are accepted.
Ask about safe local disposal or an appropriate specialist. Never mix chemicals or empty them into drains.
Essentials & valuables: carry these with you.
Keep medications, identification, financial and legal documents, cash, jewelry, keys and essential electronic data accessible to you. Make a separate plan for irreplaceable or high-value belongings.
Pets, plants, food & other items: confirm the plan.
Arrange separate travel for pets. Discuss plants, perishables, firearms, ammunition, fuel-powered equipment and batteries before packing. Acceptance and preparation requirements vary by carrier and storage or container provider. Never assume a sealed box makes an item acceptable.
For U-Box moves, follow U-Haul’s current prohibited-item list and preparation rules.
Tell us about anything that needs extra care.
Glass, dishes & delicate décor
Wrap pieces individually, cushion the bottom and sides, and fill gaps. Use dividers where appropriate. Label the box, but remember that a fragile label does not replace protective packing.
TVs, computers & electronics
Use suitable protective packaging, protect screens and corners, and keep accessories identified. Discuss large screens and delicate equipment before moving day.
Artwork, antiques & unusual pieces
Send photos, dimensions and handling concerns in advance. High-value, oversized or unusually heavy items may need specific packing, equipment or separate arrangements. Confirm suitability before booking.
Appliances & furniture
Share appliance details, assembly needs and access limits. Follow manufacturer instructions for preparation; confirm disconnection, draining and any service needed. Bag and label loose hardware with its matching furniture.
Moving a grandfather clock?
Tell your moving specialist about the clock before moving day. Share the make, model and photos, and agree on who will prepare the mechanism and pack the delicate parts.
Read this before removing the weights.
Cable-driven and chain-driven clocks need different preparation to keep cables or chains secured before the weights come off. Follow the instructions for your clock’s model. Howard Miller warns never to wind the clock with its weights removed.
Keep track of each weight’s original position, pack the weights and pendulum separately, and protect the finish when handling them. If you are unsure about the mechanism or securing it, arrange preparation by a clock technician.
Howard Miller: how to prepare a floor clock for moving, including weight removal →The manufacturer’s page includes a video link. For another brand or an antique clock, use its own instructions or ask a qualified clock technician. Clock preparation and transport arrangements must be confirmed in advance.
Your moving-day readiness checklist.
Check each item as you prepare. These checkmarks are a temporary on-screen aid and are not sent to us or saved when you leave the page.
If you won’t be there.
Arrange access, an authorized representative, packing and placement instructions, and who can approve decisions. Discuss photo or video updates before the move so the communication plan is agreed.
Moving to another state? Review the interstate planning details →
A usable home comes first.
Our movers place furniture in the intended rooms and handle agreed assembly. If you want help putting dishes in cupboards, linens on shelves and clothes away, ask about optional Help Me Settle In.
Helpful source guides
Reviewed October 1, 2026. This is preparation guidance; confirm the specific requirements for your move with your specialist.
- FMCSA moving checklist — preparation, paperwork and delivery.
- FMCSA hazardous-material guidance — special transport requirements.
- U-Haul packing guides — packing materials and delicate belongings.
- U-Haul U-Box restrictions — provider-specific requirements.