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Most professional movers can conveniently move an entire household across the country for a large fee. But for a local move or a smaller household, it’s much easier and far less expensive to simply move yourself.

A DIY move can save up to 75 percent of a full service mover’s fee. It may seem like a lot of work, but by following a few simple guidelines a local move can proceed quite painlessly.

Thin Your Items

The less you have to move, the easier it is. A month or so before the big move, go through your belongings. First set aside any disused clothing, shoes that are out of fashion and other unloved but unused goods. Donate them to your favorite charity. Next work on clearing out any closets or other storage spaces. Unless it has strong sentimental value, many unused items can be sold or given away.

Be sure to also go through storage spaces too. Many people find that a system of keeping one item while letting two go helps them to keep fewer items they no longer need. A yard sale is a great way to get rid of good things while getting a few bucks. Just remember, the more you take, the more trips you will need to take with your rental. Truck rental rates are often by the mile and it can add up.

Start Early

One of the biggest mistakes many people make is to wait till a week before the move before starting to pack. It is wiser to start the packing process much sooner. A person with a moderate amount of belongings should start the packing process at least a month before the move. Start by boxing up off-season clothing. Seldom used items such as most books or hobby supplies should be packed up earlier than things used more often. Decorative items are another good early item.

Get your moving supplies early. Items like mid-sized sturdy boxes, black markers and packing tape can be picked up at any time and stored till needed. If you need to find a U-Haul tow dolly for sale for your vehicle, be sure to start that search even earlier. You can sometimes get a very good deal on used U-Haul trailers for sale if you search when fewer people are looking to move.

Get Good Boxes

Good boxes make all the difference between an easy move and a big disaster. Many people who only have a few things or lighter items will be fine using a few boxes from a grocery store. Be sure to tape up the sides and bottoms carefully. People with more fragile items will need better boxes. Places that have U-Haul trailers for rent will also often carry professional style moving boxes.

Delicate items such as glassware or electronic goods should be packed in smaller sturdy boxes. Use plenty of newspaper or other shock absorbing material to cushion each item from shock. Be sure to clearly label each box.

Get Your Friends Involved

Moving is hard work, even if you pare your belongings to the minimal number. Getting a few strong backs and helping hands can make the chore go that much faster. Offer your friends pizza and some good company in return for helping you carry your couch to your new third floor walkup.

If you don’t have willing friends, many places that offer U-Haul trailers for sale might be able to help. There are many people who will help load or unload heavy items for some cash.

Pack Smart

How items and boxes are loaded into a trailer or truck can impact their safe arrival. The professionals pack “high and tight.” So should you. This means that larger and heavier items are put on the bottom. Lighter items are placed on top and carefully tied down. The heaviest items should be placed at the front of the truck. This helps prevent any damaging load shift.

Even a little move can seem like a huge undertaking. There are so many things to remember. You don’t want to forget even the smallest item in your old home. It is also a lot of hard physical work to move furniture or large appliances. But by taking your time and working through each step of the process, nearly any move can be handled with grace.