Phinnie Zahareas is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She works as a project manager and professional organizer for a moving company in Louisiana. She’s managed dozens of moving jobs — from tiny houses to sprawling office buildings — and aims to make relocations easier for everyone. In addition to her work in the moving industry, she holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. She still lives in New Orleans, where she walks her two spotted dogs along the Mississippi River every evening.
Moving to a new home can be exciting and overwhelming. Amid the chaos of packing boxes, switching schools and finding professional movers, you also have to pack your car. Your personal vehicle can be a valuable asset in transporting items movers won’t move, such as important documents and family heirlooms, while keeping you comfortable on…
Moving a piano requires considerable strength, skill and specialized equipment. While it may seem feasible to move a piano alone or with the help of a few friends, pianos are delicate and heavy musical instruments that are prone to damage if not transported properly. Even with some DIY know-how and a handful of helpers, moving…
Knowing how to pack clothes is a bit of an art. Whether you’re a Marie Kondo minimalist or a throw-it-all-in-and-hope-for-the-best packer, you must strategize on a method for packing clothes that’ll work for you. Your approach will depend on your packing materials budget, time frame and how well you’ll tolerate wrinkles in your clothes. “You…
Whether you’re rearranging your living space, relocating to a new home or simply moving your couch across the room, learning the proper way to move furniture will limit the risk of injury to yourself and damage to your belongings. Moving heavy items requires strategy, technique and, above all, safety. While moving a bulky dresser or…
If you’re gearing up for a move and feeling guilty about the environmental impact, you’re not alone. Moving can generate a lot of waste with all the boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap and tape needed to secure your belongings for transport, especially if you’re planning an interstate move. The good news? With a bit of…
Moving can be daunting, especially when it involves crossing state lines. The best way to safeguard your belongings and peace of mind is to hire reputable professionals to manage the job. “Interstate moving is not local moving. It’s an entirely different animal,” said Nancy Zafrani, General Manager at Oz Moving and Storage. While a local…
Moving scams are unfortunately more common than many people realize, and finding a trustworthy mover can feel like tiptoeing through a minefield. In 2022, 15,198 complaints were filed with the Better Business Bureau against moving companies throughout the year. From exorbitant fees to damaged belongings or even outright theft, the risks posed by unscrupulous movers…
A moving estimate is a detailed calculation top rated movers provide to prospective clients that indicates how much the requested moving services will cost. Estimates typically factor in your total inventory or the weight of your belongings, the time it will take to complete your move and the distance of your relocation, plus additional services…
Moving into a new home is a thrilling milestone. But let’s face it, amid the excitement, the whirlwind of tasks and decisions can weigh down on you. Hiring movers, changing your address and remembering to buy toilet paper for the bathroom is a lot. “It can be hard to remember everything on your mental to-do…
Bubble wrap may not be enough to protect a delicate succulent on a bumpy moving truck. As any plant lover can attest, these leafy companions are not merely decorative items but living organisms with specific needs. If you want to bring your beloved fiddle-leaf fig tree with you, you need to understand how to move…
If there’s one thing that can sneak up on you during a move, it’s the cost. That’s why you need to create a realistic moving budget before you start packing. Track major expenses that come with hiring a professional moving company, as well as secondary expenses including packing materials, cleaning fees and extra take-out meals…
Perhaps you’ve experienced the stress that can come with disorganized moving or, less likely, the bliss that accompanies an uncomplicated move. More often than not, a chaotic relocation results from improper planning or failure to create a moving checklist. What makes a breezy move? Proper planning is the key to a low-stress relocation. Ideally, you…
Signing the paperwork on your new home is just the first step, then comes the hard part — planning your move. Before you can lounge in your new living room, you need to consider whether movers are worth it. “When moving locally, you can skip the professionals if you’re strong, have lots of time to…
Moving can be fun — fresh walls to paint, new rooms to decorate and, of course, a chance to start fresh. But the cost of moving can be a buzzkill. Fortunately, if you plan ahead and stick to a budget, you can save money while moving and settling into your new place. I spoke to…
As a project manager for a professional moving company, I know how vulnerable hiring movers can make you feel. Not only are you inviting virtual strangers into your home to interact with you and your family, but you’re entrusting them with all of your belongings. For expert insight on how to hire movers, I spoke…
The final walk-through of your soon-to-be home is more than a ceremonial stroll through empty rooms — it’s one of the last steps toward homeownership and your opportunity to identify and address any issues before taking possession of the property and moving in because even the best moving companies won’t help if you make a…
Moving is a stressful endeavor, and the challenges can multiply when you have furry friends in tow. When moving with pets, it’s up to you to prepare them for the move, secure their safe relocation and help them adjust to their new surroundings, all while keeping abreast of health and licensing requirements. We spoke to…
Long-distance movers need to have a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number, and you should only hire a company that has one. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is an agency within the USDOT. It’s the operating authority that oversees commercial vehicles across the country. The FMCSA assigns USDOT numbers to transportation companies that…
To ensure the care of your belongings and the welfare of the moving team, professional movers may refuse to transport certain items for safety, legal or logistical reasons. While you may know some things movers won’t move, such as hazardous chemicals and fireworks, what about succulents and your grandma’s antique armoire? Know which items your…
Whether you’re planning a local move or embarking on a cross-country relocation, one thing’s certain: You’ll need to get moving boxes. Depending on the size of your home and the volume of your belongings, you may need more boxes than you expect, and the costs of moving supplies can add up quickly. Some of the…
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