- Assess your DIY options
When moving only a short distance away, sufficient preparation time, reliable friends and lack of any special household items may encourage you to try to move home by yourself. Are you up to the self-move challenge? - Ask friends to help you move
Reach out to your friends as soon as possible to minimize the disruption of their own schedules. Seek confirmation that moving help will be available from your circle of friends before making the final decision. - Secure a moving van
You will need a suitable moving vehicle to transport your belongings – borrow a pickup truck or a van from a friend, or get in touch with a trustworthy truck rental company in order to rent a moving truck of the right size. - Get a parking permit
You want the borrowed or hired moving vehicle to be able to park right in front of the entrance of your home. Get a parking permit to avoid headaches because parking in big cities can be a hassle. - Rent or purchase moving equipment
Our local moving checklist continues with another must-do self-moving task: get your hands on the right type of moving equipment: a furniture dolly, a handtruck, furniture sliders, moving blankets, and a set of hand tools. - Secure packing materials
If you intend to pack up your home without hiring professional packers, you will surely need packing supplies of the right quantity and quality. - Stay safe
Safety is a big concern when organizing a self-move. Follow the proper lifting techniques, use appropriate moving equipment, always have friends to help you lift and carry heavy household items, and keep exit pathways clear. - Find a fitting solution
Some larger furniture pieces may refuse to go through a door opening. Try disassembling such a furniture piece to its main components, attempt different exit angles, take the door off its hinges, or ask experts for assistance if all other options fail. - Load the moving truck
Load the moving vehicle the right way – labeled moving boxes should be loaded first, followed by large furniture pieces, while any heavyweight household appliances should go last. Have your friends’ support and manpower at all times to prevent personal injuries. - Secure loaded items
Secure well the household items you have just loaded to keep them safe on the road. Strap or rope the larger items to the side of the truck to stop them from moving and possibly getting damaged during transit. - Get qualified help
Don’t hesitate to call for professional assistance should your decision to move on your own proves to be the wrong one midway through the relocation process. - Have your car serviced
Have your car serviced at an authorized service station before driving off with your own vehicle in the direction of the new house or apartment - Plan your car trip
Spend some time planning your own car trip – the places you will stop at along the way, where you will spend the night(s) if the drive is scheduled to take multiple days, and so on. - Take your pets with you
Take advantage of your self-move to transport your pets in your own car – keep in mind that moving companies will not agree to transport any pet animals for you
Before The Move: Do-It-Yourself Move
