7 Super Annoying Moving Tasks That You’ll Never Have to Do Yourself (Yes, Really!)

It doesn’t matter if you’re relocating across the country or just down the street; moving can be one of life’s biggest stressors. Sorting, packing, schlepping, unpacking — it’s a lot to keep straight, especially if you’re also in the process of selling your home, buying a new one, or trying to keep your rental in tiptop shape to get your security deposit back.

If it’s been a while since your last big move, I’ve got some good news: There are some great apps available to take some of the super annoying moving-related tasks off your to-do list. So, level-up your moving game — and buy yourself a little serenity — when you outsource things like listing and selling furniture and hanging curtains in your new place. 

While there are a few free hacks on this list, hiring someone to physically help you with tasks will cost money. Thankfully, some apps let you hire a helper using an hourly rate, so take a look at what will work best for you and your budget and get ready to delegate your way to a stress-free move. 

The days, weeks, and months before a move can be one of the most stressful times because there is so much to do. Make it a little easier on yourself by bringing in some help.

One way to make moving less stressful is to break up the process into manageable tasks you can start weeks — or, better yet, months — in advance. From decluttering and packing up rooms, to booking a moving truck, to setting aside a first-night essentials box, this type of master to-do list can help you stay on track. Planning that out might be overwhelming, but you can create a customizable timeline with the MoveAdvisor app. 

This app is like a digital project manager, sharing prompts for key tasks and reminders for some easy-to-forget details, like submitting a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service to make sure your mail gets forwarded to your new place on time. The app can also connect you with movers and help you get in contact with your local utility companies.

Lighten your load by decluttering before you start packing — no sense in bringing unwanted items into your new space. “I always recommend decluttering at least a month in advance,” says Drew Wiard, an Indiana-based realtor and certified relocation specialist and owner of Clear Sky Properties. You can also find ways to make this process a little easier.

Once you’ve decluttered and gathered everything you plan to donate, save time (and a trip across town) by going online to schedule a pickup right from your doorstep. Many local charities and thrift stores offer donation pickup services, or you can use a site like Pickup Please to find organizations that will gladly come grab your donations. 

Moving can get expensive, fast. One way to offset some of those costs is by selling items you no longer need — especially if they’re in great condition — on platforms like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace. But when you’re in the thick of packing and organizing, finding time to write listings, take photos, negotiate with buyers, and coordinate pickups can feel overwhelming. 

If you’re able to budget some of what you’ll make from sales toward hiring a helper, you can be totally hands-off. Check out a site like Taskrabbit to hire a personal assistant for the day to take photos of your items and set up and manage your listings.

OK, so technically you will still need to do the packing and organizing with this tip — but it will save you so much time when you arrive in your new place that it’ll feel like you took a task off your to-do list. 

D’Nai Walker, a moving coordinator and professional organizer based in the Washington, D.C. metro area, recommends the Boxes app. It lets you create color-coded categories for each space — like the kitchen, home office, and bedroom — and then assign individual boxes to each one. You can upload photos, make detailed item lists, and even assign monetary values to items should you need to make an insurance claim. “To make unpacking easier, you can generate printable labels and QR codes, providing a quick and efficient way to identify the contents of each box,” she says.

Sortly, another visual inventory app, allows you to organize your boxes, tag items, and create QR codes. “One of my clients scanned the code for ‘Kitchen Essentials,’ and immediately found her French press the first morning in a new house,” Walker says.

Both apps have free versions, so you can poke around on both to see which one best suits your moving style.

Everyone can use a little help on moving day, from quickly seeing where your movers are to taking care of closing up your old place.

If you’re hiring traditional movers to take the loading and unloading of boxes off your plate, try the MyMove app to compare quotes from moving companies and choose the one that best fits your needs. The app also helps you handle other important tasks, like updating your address, setting up TV and internet, getting home security quotes, registering to vote in your new location, and getting quotes for renters insurance.

If you only need help moving a few large items, check out the Dolly app that connects you with movers who can help lift and transport heavy items, haul things away, or even pick up and deliver purchases from places like Facebook Marketplace. You can also track how far away your mover is right in the app.

One of the last things you need to do before handing over your keys is give your place a final deep clean. If you’re renting, this will help to ensure you get back your security deposit. If you’ve sold your home, a deep clean might even be a requirement in the sale contract. 

Book a one-time deep clean through an app like Thumbtack, Handy, or Taskrabbit. You could also schedule a cleaning for your new place before you fill it with boxes and furniture.

You’re likely going to be exhausted after moving, so if you’re able, it’s nice to pick a project or two that you can hand off to someone else.

As you move in and unpack, hire someone for a daily or hourly rate to knock out some home setup items on your to-do list. 

“To speed up the settling-in process, I recommend using Taskrabbit to hire someone for tasks like hanging wall art, assembling newly purchased furniture, and installing light fixtures and mounting televisions,” Walker says.

Check out the The New Mover to discover the latest tips and most innovative hacks to make your next move the smoothest one yet. This content was presented by a sponsor; it was created independently by our editorial team.