How to Organize a Successful Move: A Step-by-Step Guide

Moving can be stressful, but with proper planning it can be a much more manageable experience. This guide will help you organize your move from start to finish.

Planning: 4-6 Weeks Before

The key to a successful move is starting early.

Create an Inventory

Make a list of everything you own. This will help you:

• Calculate how many boxes you need
• Decide what to take and what to leave behind
• Create a realistic budget

Decide: Professional Movers or DIY?

Professional Movers:

• Cost: 200-800 EUR depending on volume and distance
• Advantages: No physical effort, faster, insurance included
• Disadvantages: More expensive, less control

Do It Yourself:

• Cost: 50-200 EUR (van rental + help from friends)
• Advantages: Much more affordable, total control
• Disadvantages: Physically exhausting, risk of damage

Book in Advance

If going with professional movers or van rental:

• Compare at least 3 quotes
• Read online reviews
• Book 3-4 weeks in advance
• Weekends and end of month are more expensive

Notify Services and Organizations

• Electricity/gas company (for name change or cancellation)
• Internet provider (porting takes 7-15 days)
• Bank (address change)
• Work/university
• Family doctor (change of health center)
• Municipal register (you have 3 months but sooner is better)

Materials: 3-4 Weeks Before

Get everything you need before you start packing.

Cardboard Boxes

Option 1: Buy New

• Leroy Merlin, Bricomart: 1-3 EUR per box
• Moving pack (10 boxes): 15-30 EUR
• Advantage: Sturdy, standard sizes

Option 2: Get Free

• Supermarkets (ask for banana boxes - very sturdy)
• Local shops
• Facebook groups “Free in [your city]”
• Advantage: Free
• Disadvantage: Variety of sizes and conditions

Estimated quantity:

• Single room: 15-25 boxes
• Full move (2-bedroom flat): 40-60 boxes

Other Essential Materials

• Strong packing tape (minimum 3 rolls)
• Bubble wrap or old newspapers
• Permanent markers (various colors)
• Scissors or box cutter
• Large trash bags (for clothes and textiles)
• Mattress covers
• Kitchen cling film (to protect drawers)

Material budget: 20-50 EUR total

Packing: 2-3 Weeks Before

Start with what you use least and finish with the essentials.

Labeling System

Use color codes by room:

• Kitchen: Red
• Bathroom: Blue
• Bedroom: Green
• Living room: Yellow

On each box write:

• Destination room
• General contents
• Fragile? Mark it big
• Box number (1/25, 2/25, etc.)

Packing Order

Week 1: Out of season

• Decorations
• Books you don’t read
• Off-season clothing
• Souvenirs and photos

Week 2: Occasional use

• Extra tableware
• Appliances you don’t use daily
• Extra shoes
• Spare towels

Last week: Essentials

• Daily-use clothing
• Toiletries
• Basic pans and utensils
• Daily-use electronics

Last day: Survival box

• Change of clothes for 2 days
• Basic toiletries
• Chargers
• Important documents
• Medications
• Snacks and water

Packing Techniques by Category

Clothing:

• Leave on hangers, cover with trash bags
• Or use suitcases you already have
• Roll (don’t fold) to save space

Books:

• Small boxes (they get very heavy)
• Stand upright like on a shelf
• Fill gaps with clothes or towels

Dishes and Glassware:

• Each piece wrapped individually
• Plates vertical, not stacked
• Glasses with paper inside and out
• Mark FRAGILE on all sides

Electronics:

• Photo of how cables are connected
• Separate bags for cables
• Use original boxes if you kept them
• If not, lots of bubble wrap

Cleaning Products:

• Separate bag, make sure they don’t spill
• Or leave them in the old place if it’s furnished

What NOT to Pack

• Plants (move them on moving day)
• Important documents (carry them personally)
• Jewelry and valuables (keep with you)
• Perishable food (eat it or give it away)
• Hazardous materials (dispose of properly)

Moving Week

The final preparations are crucial.

3 Days Before

• Clean the fridge and defrost the freezer
• Confirm with the moving company or friends
• Pick up keys to the new flat (if possible)
• Clean the new place before bringing in furniture

1 Day Before

• Disassemble large furniture
• Disconnect and clean appliances
• Empty, defrost, and clean the fridge
• Prepare the survival box
• Make sure nothing is left in closets/drawers

Moving Day

Morning:

• Meeting with movers or friends (8-9 AM ideal)
• Final walkthrough of the old place
• Strategic loading: what goes out first goes in last

Loading order for the van:

1. Large, heavy furniture first
2. Appliances
3. Boxes (heavy ones on bottom, fragile on top)
4. Fragile and delicate items last

Afternoon:

• Unload at the new flat
• Direct where everything goes
• Prioritize setting up beds

Evening:

• Return keys to old flat (if applicable)
• Final inspection of old flat
• Shower and rest in your new home

Tips to Minimize Stress

Hire Partial Professional Help

Even if you move yourself, consider:

• Pay someone for just the heavy furniture: 50-100 EUR
• Hire a large van with driver: 80-150 EUR

Feed Your Helpers

If friends help you:

• Light breakfast before starting
• Snacks and drinks during
• Pizza or food when finished
• It’s the least you can do to say thanks

Divide and Conquer

If moving with a partner or roommate:

• One supervises loading, the other unloading
• One organizes the old place, the other the new
• Work as a team, don’t compete

Motivating Music

An upbeat playlist makes the heavy work more bearable.

Accept That It Won’t Be Perfect

Something will break, something will get lost, something will go wrong. That’s okay.

After the Move

First Day

• Set up the beds (priority number one)
• Connect the fridge and stock it with basics
• Organize the bathroom
• Locate the survival box
• Take a relaxing shower

First Week

• Unpack room by room, complete one before starting another
• Change locks (if the landlord allows it)
• Locate: electricity meter, water shut-off valve, electrical panel
• Meet nearby neighbors
• Find nearby services: supermarket, pharmacy

First Month

• Update your address on all your documents
• Change your family doctor
• Register at the town hall
• Explore your new neighborhood
• Organize items that still don’t have a place

Detailed Moving Budget

Budget Option (DIY)

• Van rental (1 day): 50-100 EUR
• Packing materials: 20-40 EUR
• Fuel: 20-40 EUR
• Food for helpers: 40-60 EUR
• Total: 130-240 EUR

Mid-Range Option (Hybrid)

• Van rental with driver: 100-180 EUR
• Materials: 30-50 EUR
• Help with heavy furniture: 50-100 EUR
• Food: 30-50 EUR
• Total: 210-380 EUR

Premium Option (Professional movers)

• Moving company: 300-600 EUR
• Materials (sometimes included): 0-30 EUR
• Tips (optional): 20-50 EUR
• Total: 320-680 EUR

Final Moving Checklist

6 Weeks Before

• Complete inventory
• Decide: professional vs DIY
• Get quotes

4 Weeks Before

• Book movers or van
• Notify services
• Get packing materials

2 Weeks Before

• Start packing non-essentials
• Donate/sell what you don’t need
• Change postal address

1 Week Before

• Pack almost everything
• Confirm moving details
• Clean new flat

1 Day Before

• Pack final items
• Prepare survival box
• Clean fridge

Moving Day

• Supervise loading/unloading
• Final inspection of old flat
• Hand over keys

1 Week After

• Unpack everything
• Register at town hall
• Get to know the neighborhood

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not Starting Early Enough

Procrastination is your worst enemy. Two weeks is not enough.

Underestimating How Much Stuff You Have

Everyone underestimates. Get 20% more boxes than you think you need.

Not Labeling Properly

“Miscellaneous boxes” will turn your move into a nightmare. Be specific.

Taking Everything

A move is the perfect time to get rid of what you don’t need. Sell, donate, toss.

Not Protecting Fragile Items

The famous “this won’t break” is said 5 minutes before it breaks. Bubble wrap everything.

Not Having a Plan B

What if it rains? What if the van doesn’t show up? What if a friend cancels? Have a Plan B.

Moving Without Inspecting the New Place

Visit beforehand to measure doors, plan where each piece of furniture goes, and verify everything works.

Useful Resources

Organization Apps

• Sortly: Photographic inventory of your belongings
• MoveAdvisor: Personalized moving checklist
• Unpakt: Compare moving quotes

Facebook Groups

• “Free in [your city]” - To donate/get things
• “Moving Spain” - Tips and recommendations
• “For sale/free [your city]” - Get rid of things

Rental Services

• Rentokil: Van rental
• OK Mobility: Vans and large vehicles
• Hertz/Europcar: Large vehicles

Your New Life Starts Now

A well-organized move makes the difference between a stressful process and an exciting transition to your new home. With this guide, you have everything you need to make your move a success.

Looking for roommates in your new city or area? Roomio helps you find the perfect match to start this new chapter in the best way.

Questions about your move? Contact us - we’re here to help you every step of the way.