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Moving tips

The move, week by week.

A checklist from crews who have done this five thousand times. Follow it and moving day becomes the easiest part.

4 wk

4 weeks before the move

Book your movers — mid-week, mid-month dates are cheaper and easier to get. Declutter room by room: sell, donate, or toss anything you haven't used in a year. Every box you don't move is money saved. Start a move folder (or notes app) for quotes, receipts, and your inventory list. Order packing materials, or reserve full packing service with your movers.
2 wk

2 weeks before

File a change of address with USPS and update banks, insurance, and subscriptions. Schedule utility shut-off at the old place and turn-on at the new one — internet installers book out fast. Start packing rooms you rarely use: garage, bookshelves, seasonal clothes, decor. Arrange parking for the truck at both addresses; reserve elevators in apartment buildings.
1 wk

1 week before

Pack everything except daily essentials. Label every box with its room and contents. Confirm details with your moving coordinator: time window, crew size, access notes. Use up frozen and perishable food; defrost the freezer 48 hours before the move. Disassemble what you can and keep hardware in labeled zip bags taped to the furniture.
Day

Moving day

Pack an essentials bag: documents, medication, chargers, valuables, a change of clothes. It rides with you, not in the truck. Walk the foreman through the home and point out fragile or high-value items. Keep pets and kids with a friend or in one closed, clearly marked room. Before the truck leaves, do a final sweep: closets, cabinets, dishwasher, garage, behind doors.
+1

After the move

Check items off your inventory as they come off the truck; note any issues with the foreman on the spot. Assemble beds first — everything else can wait until tomorrow. Test smoke detectors, locate the water shut-off and breaker panel in the new home. Break down boxes as you unpack; many Bay Area cities collect flattened cardboard curbside.

Packing tips
from the crew.

Heavy in small, light in large

Books go in small boxes, pillows in large ones. If you can't lift a box comfortably, neither can the person carrying it down three flights of stairs.

Don't empty the drawers

Light, soft contents (clothes, linens) can stay in dressers — we wrap the whole piece. Remove anything heavy, fragile, or likely to shift.

Plates on their edge

Dishes packed vertically like records survive far better than stacked flat. Cushion with paper above and below, and mark the box FRAGILE — THIS SIDE UP.

The hanging-clothes shortcut

Ask about wardrobe boxes — we bring them on moving day for free use. Closet to closet, still on hangers, zero folding.

Photograph the cables

Before unplugging the TV and router, take a photo of the back. Future you, sitting on the floor of a new living room, will be grateful.

The "open first" box

One clearly marked box with the kettle, coffee, toilet paper, sheets, towels, and a toolkit. It gets loaded last and comes off the truck first.

Best time
to move.

The best time to move is mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) and mid-month — moving costs are lower and availability is better. Spring is the busiest season; if you're moving May through August, book 6–8 weeks ahead.

Cheapest days

Tuesday and Wednesday. Lower demand means lower rates and easier scheduling with any moving company.

Cheapest months

January and February offer the best rates year-round. Off-peak demand means more crew availability and no peak-season surcharges.

Busiest season

Spring through summer (May–August) is peak season. Book early, expect higher rates, and confirm weather for outdoor access. Monitor weather especially in winter months.

Cross country moves

For a cross country move, book 4–6 weeks ahead minimum. Long-distance moves use flat-rate pricing and have delivery windows rather than same-day delivery.

Hiring
movers.

Verify the CAL-T or MTR license

California household movers must hold a CPUC permit. B2 Moving's permit is MTR 0192394. No permit number on the contract = unlicensed mover — walk away. Verify at the CPUC website before you book.

Get multiple written estimates

Get at least three estimates and read the fine print. Look for minimum charges, extra fees for stairs or long carry, and cancellation policies. Compare services, not just price.

Confirm insurance (COI)

Ask for a certificate of insurance before moving day. Most apartment buildings require one before allowing movers to use the elevator or access the building.

Professional movers vs. DIY

Hiring professional movers means your move is done in hours instead of days. They carry liability insurance, bring all equipment (dollies, blankets, wardrobe boxes), and handle large furniture without injury risk to you.

About B2 Moving

Family-owned since 2018. 4.9★ on Google across 1,400+ reviews. 2797 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050 · (669) 999-5505. CA Permit 581337 · MTR 0192394. Get a free estimate →

Moving
FAQ.

How long before moving day should I start packing?

Start 4–6 weeks out. Pack outdoor gear, books, and seasonal items first. Pack everything but daily essentials in the final week. Most people underestimate how long packing takes — start earlier than you think you need to.

What is the cheapest month to move?

January and February. Off-peak demand means lower rates from professional movers and more scheduling flexibility. Mid-week and mid-month dates are also cheaper year-round — avoid end-of-month and weekends.

What are 12 items to throw away before moving?

Old magazines, duplicate kitchen tools, expired pantry items, worn-out shoes, old electronics, tangled cables, single-use décor, stuffed animals no one uses, clothes still with tags from years ago, broken appliances, hotel toiletries, and anything from the junk drawer you haven't touched in weeks.

What will movers not pack?

Most moving company crews won't pack hazardous materials: paint, propane, ammunition, and certain cleaning supplies. Ask your mover for their specific prohibited items list before packing day.

What is the most forgotten thing when moving?

Items inside appliances (the microwave), things on the backs of doors, medicine cabinets, and the contents of outdoor storage areas. Do a final walkthrough of every closet, cabinet, and garage before the truck leaves.

Is $100 enough to tip movers?

A tip of $20–$50 per mover per day is the common guideline — more for a larger crew or longer day. It's not required but always appreciated. Tip based on performance and your satisfaction.

How far in advance should you prepare to move?

Start planning 6–8 weeks out, especially for spring and summer Bay Area moves. Booking movers early locks in your date and gives you time to properly declutter before packing begins.

What is the 5 4 3 2 1 rule for packing?

A capsule travel heuristic (5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 shoes, 2 accessories, 1 formal outfit). For home moves, adapt it: begin packing 5 rooms of non-essentials 4 weeks before moving day, finishing with daily essentials the night before.