[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/moving-in-the-new-year\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/moving-in-the-new-year\/","headline":"Moving in the New Year","name":"Moving in the New Year","description":"A new year means a new you, and maybe a new home! If you\u2019re planning on moving in […]","datePublished":"2022-01-06","dateModified":"2025-10-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/#Person","name":"Great Moving (Kevin)","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NYC Great Movers","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","width":600,"height":363}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Moving-in-the-New-Year.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Moving-in-the-New-Year.jpg","height":800,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/moving-in-the-new-year\/","about":["Moving Tips"],"wordCount":2098,"keywords":["best moving company","best moving company ny","Legitimate moving companies","local movers","moving budget","Moving in the New Year","moving to new home","moving to your new home","new year moving","new year moving budget","planning on moving","Research Professional Movers"],"articleBody":"A new year means a new you, and maybe a new home! If you\u2019re planning on moving in the new year, set a goal for yourself to make it as easy as possible. Of course, you\u2019ll still have to deal with COVID-19 precautions, especially as cases continue to surge. However, that doesn\u2019t mean moving in the new year is impossible. In fact, with the appropriate planning and hiring professional movers, your move can be easy.So whether you\u2019re moving down the street or across the country, you can get your new year started off on the right foot. Just follow these tips, and you\u2019ll be on your way to moving to your new home.Research Professional Movers In AdvanceWhether you plan on hiring long-distance movers or local movers, you need to do your research well in advance. There are dozens of companies out there, but not all of them are the same, and, unfortunately, some of them might be scam companies. Even reputable moving companies don\u2019t offer the same services or prices, for that matter. The best moving company for your friend might not be the best one for you. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to first figure out your needs. Are you just looking for basic loading and unloading, or do you want the movers to also pack and unpack for you? Do you have bulky items such as pianos, pool tables, or large pieces of furniture? All of these details can help you narrow down your search in the beginning. Checklist for Researching Professional Moving CompaniesEvaluation CriteriaWhat to CheckIdeal or Safe RangeRed Flags to AvoidCompany CredentialsUSDOT number, state license, insurance coverageLicensed & insured movers with verifiable DOT infoNo license or DOT number; refusal to share detailsCustomer ReviewsRatings on Google, Yelp, BBB, and social media4.0\u2605 and above with 50+ verified reviewsMultiple 1\u2605 reviews, fake-looking or no reviewsEstimate ComparisonRequest at least 5\u20136 quotes from different companiesEstimates within \u00b115% of average market rateExtremely low or high prices, vague breakdownsServices OfferedLoading\/unloading, packing\/unpacking, storage, specialty item handlingFull-service options available upon requestUnclear list of services or hidden add-on chargesCommunication QualityResponsiveness and professionalism during inquiryClear, polite, and prompt communicationEvasive answers, rudeness, or delayed repliesWebsite & Online PresenceCompany website, social profiles, and local listing detailsUpdated website with full contact info and service detailsIncomplete or no website, lack of transparent contact infoDeposit & Payment TermsAsk about required deposits and accepted payment typesSmall deposit (\u226420%) and flexible payment optionsLarge upfront deposit or cash-only requirementClaims & Insurance PolicyHow the company handles damage or loss claimsClear claim process with valuation coverage optionsNo written policy or refusal to provide documentationOverall EvaluationScore each company 1\u201310 for each categoryTotal 70\u201380 points = Reliable ChoiceBelow 50 points = Avoid Hiring*Tip: Create a simple spreadsheet using this table to score each mover you contact. This helps you make an informed, side-by-side comparison before booking.* Instead of a haphazard Google search, first make a list of moving companies you\u2019ve heard of, whether that\u2019s ones your friends and family have used, ones you\u2019ve used in the past, or companies that have positive moving reviews online. From there, look at the services they provide and then narrow the list further to the ones that offer what you need. You should call at least 5-6 different moving companies and talk with them about their rates and services. At the same time, you should also look out for potential red flags. Some examples include:Not answering your questions directlyWildly low or high estimates for the moveAnger or irritation when you ask questionsGeneral\u00a0 unprofessionalismNo information on their site, and very little when you do a search on themAlways follow your intuition. If you think a company seems like a bad fit for whatever reason, don\u2019t hire them! Legitimate moving companies want to put your mind at ease and answer all your questions so you hire them.Make a ScheduleMoving is all about time management. The more planning you put in, the easier the move. So instead of putting everything off until the last minute, take a look at your planned move date and then create a schedule from there. You don\u2019t need to plan more than two months in advance. Heck, even one month should give you enough time to plan your move. Recommended Moving Schedule (8 Weeks Before Moving Day)Weeks Before MoveKey TasksEstimated Time NeededCompletion Priority8 Weeks OutCreate a moving checklist, research movers, get 5\u20136 quotes, and budget moving expenses3\u20135 hrsHigh7 Weeks OutCompare moving company estimates, book movers, confirm moving date, and start decluttering4\u20136 hrsHigh6 Weeks OutGather packing supplies, begin packing non-essential items, and sell\/donate unwanted belongings5\u20137 hrsMedium5 Weeks OutLabel boxes, confirm building move-in\/move-out policies, and schedule time off work if needed2\u20134 hrsMedium4 Weeks OutNotify landlord or property manager, transfer school and medical records, update subscriptions and addresses3\u20135 hrsHigh3 Weeks OutConfirm all bookings, arrange utility shut-off and activation dates, and plan for pets or childcare during the move2\u20133 hrsMedium2 Weeks OutPack most of your household items, confirm moving truck arrival time, and prepare important documents5\u20138 hrsHigh1 Week OutFinish packing essentials, defrost refrigerator, clean home, set aside travel bags and valuables6\u201310 hrsHighMoving DaySupervise movers, check the inventory list, ensure all rooms are empty, tip movers if desiredFull dayCritical1\u20133 Days After MoveUnpack essentials, set up utilities, update address on ID and bank accounts, relax and recover3\u20135 hrsMedium*Tip: Adjust this schedule based on your home size, moving distance, and work schedule. Planning 6\u20138 weeks ahead minimizes last-minute stress.* When creating a schedule, consider your move date and then work about a month backward from there. On a calendar, pencil in when you need to:Start packingBook your moversPurchase moving materialsHave your mail forwardedSend transcripts to your child\u2019s new schoolTurn off your utilities for your old home and turn them on in your new homeUpdate your driver\u2019s license if you\u2019re moving to a new stateAnd so onDon\u2019t forget to add the dates of your actual move, the last day of your work, or your child\u2019s last day at their current school! Most importantly, make sure to schedule in some relaxation days so you\u2019re not completely overwhelmed during the moving process!Pack EarlyIf you\u2019re moving in the new year, the best thing you can do is get a head start on your packing. Moving is stressful, and packing is doubly so. Rushing to pack your entire apartment or house adds extra stress. And with COVID still around, you should let your boxes sit untouched for at least a day to prevent the spread of the virus via surfaces anyway. To reduce your moving anxiety, start packing about a month or six weeks beforehand. Even if you live in a small apartment, it\u2019s still a good idea to start as early as possible. You can start packing areas or items that you don\u2019t use on a daily basis first.If you simply don\u2019t have the time or desire to pack and label everything, many of the top-rated moving companies do offer full packing services. While convenient, this can bring up your moving budget quite a bit, so you\u2019ll need to decide whether it\u2019s worth the cost or not. For many people, not having to worry about packing is a luxury they are willing to pay for. When you hire professional packers, they will take an inventory of all your belongings and pack everything based on the room and type of item. Fragile items will always be packed separately and handled with the utmost care. Average Time for Packing by Room TypeRoom TypeApprox. Hours (DIY Packing)Approx. Hours (Professional Packers)Average Number of BoxesLiving Room4 \u2013 6 hrs2 \u2013 3 hrs10 \u2013 15 boxesKitchen6 \u2013 8 hrs3 \u2013 4 hrs15 \u2013 25 boxesPrimary Bedroom3 \u2013 4 hrs1.5 \u2013 2 hrs8 \u2013 12 boxesChildren\u2019s Bedroom2 \u2013 3 hrs1 \u2013 1.5 hrs6 \u2013 10 boxesBathroom1 \u2013 2 hrs0.5 \u2013 1 hr3 \u2013 5 boxesHome Office2 \u2013 4 hrs1 \u2013 2 hrs6 \u2013 8 boxesGarage \/ Storage Area5 \u2013 7 hrs3 \u2013 4 hrs10 \u2013 20 boxesDining Room2 \u2013 3 hrs1 \u2013 1.5 hrs5 \u2013 7 boxesLaundry Room1 \u2013 2 hrs0.5 \u2013 1 hr3 \u2013 5 boxesTotal (Average Home)26 \u2013 39 hrs13 \u2013 20 hrs65 \u2013 100 boxes*Times vary depending on household size, number of belongings, and organization level. Professionals often work in teams, reducing total packing time significantly.* Whether you choose to pack yourself or hire professionals to do it for you, you can cut down on packing time by decluttering your home before you move. Moving is the perfect time to take stock of everything you own and decide whether you really need it in your new home. As a rule of thumb, you should generally get rid of items that you haven\u2019t used at all in the past six months – with exceptions for seasonal items. Instead of just throwing these items in the dumpster, sell as much as possible and use the money you raise to fund your moving expenses. For everything else, see if you can donate them to an organization or give them away to friends or family. If all else fails, you can always post items on your local Facebook, Nextdoor, or Craigslist page.Keep an Inventory and Label Your BoxesThere\u2019s nothing worse than moving to your new place and realizing you have no idea what is in any of your boxes because you didn\u2019t label them. It might seem tedious, but labeling your boxes makes the unpacking process much easier. Plus, you can direct the movers where to put the boxes when they unload the truck, making it easier for you to unpack on arrival. You don\u2019t need to have a fancy printout or sticker for your boxes. A simple Sharpie will do. When labeling your boxes, make sure to include not only the room the box should go in, but the contents as well. You don\u2019t have to get too specific. Instead, you can just list the general category of items, such as books, cutlery, dishes, clothes, etc., so you have a general idea. This way, you\u2019ll know which boxes you\u2019ll want to unpack first and which ones can wait a bit.While you might not want to write out a full list of items on the box, you should keep an inventory of everything you have and keep that on you before and after the move. You could even provide the list to the moving company. That way, if anything goes missing, they will also have the list to cross-check.Moving in the New YearMake a resolution to reduce your moving stress this new year by planning your moving details in advance. The better you plan, the less stress you\u2019ll have. And who wants to spend the first few months of the new year dealing with an out-of-control move? Sure, it might take a bit more time upfront, but if you get organized, pack in advance, and hire professionals, you\u2019ll realize that moving doesn\u2019t have to be a hair-pulling affair. In fact, if you plan it well enough, you might even get some time to enjoy yourself!This new year, moving doesn\u2019t have to be hard! Call up Great Movers and talk to us about our moving services as well as our packing, storage, and other add-ons.FAQWhat COVID-19 precautions do you take?At Great Movers, we want to make sure our customers and our movers remain healthy and safe. For that we:Do daily temperature checks of all our staffSanitize our trucks dailyRequire our moving crew to wear masks and gloves during the entire moveEnforce social distancing between customers and crew membersRequire movers to sanitize their hands before and after movesIf I move last-minute will it cost me more money?When you hire us, you won\u2019t have to pay any last-minute fees or worry about peak\/off-peak moving times. Our quotes will always be the same regardless of what day you move.How much time should I set aside for moving day?It depends on how much you need to move and what services you need us to provide. If you want us to pack and unpack everything, it will take us longer than the standard loading\/unloading. Moves can take anywhere between 4-8 hours so make sure to plan accordingly."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Moving in the New Year","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/moving-in-the-new-year\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]