“I love moving,” said no one ever. Moving is inherently stressful. There was a time in my life when a move was a welcome change. The feeling of a new beginning softened the disruption to my life that moving inevitably causes. When life was simpler in my twenties, I’d get a group of guys from work, and that would cost me a U-Haul, pizza, and beer. Regardless of whether the move is a lifestyle upgrade or one that is the result of less desirable life changes, it sucks to uproot your life in boxes.

Moving Gone Wrong

Before I was a professional organizer and concierge move manager, I didn’t know how to vet a moving company. Google and Yelp weren’t the review sources they are today, so I would either get a referral or call someone after receiving a postcard in the mail. The problem with referrals is that they may not be the right fit for your move.

My First Moving Nightmare - 2007

There’s more than one, but those are stories for another time.

Mistake #1 - I hastily booked movers after a quick home sale and, in a lapse of judgment, opted for the “free wardrobe boxes” special. That included two boxes (insert eyeroll), plus I had to give them back (insert double eye roll).

Red‑Flag #1: On moving day, they dragged a heavy concrete planter across my hardwood floor with no blankets or sliders until I objected.

Red‑Flag #2: When I protested their rough handling of a large piece of furniture, they shrugged and said, “Every move is like your furniture going through a fire.” Umm… no!

Red‑Flag #3: Peeking into their truck (I seriously don’t know how I didn’t turn to stone or a pillar of salt at this point), I saw my antique French desk teetering atop a haphazard pile of furniture and boxes, à la Sanford and Sons. Upon complaining, they told me I was free to find another crew. (Yes, really.)

Mistake #2 - Not taking out the additional insurance. Released Value Insurance, at no additional cost, is 60 cents a pound per the DOT. The check arrived with an NDA on the back where I was to endorse. By cashing it, I agreed never to speak about the damages or the move.

Is moving your home one of life’s most stressful events?

At my age, it’s expected that I’ve seen the stuff that life is made of. I’ve navigated the death of both parents, the death of two nieces, the murder of my closest friend (which triggered shingles right after at 23 years old), and closing a business I owned for 16 years. Compared to all that, a move shouldn’t even register on the stress scale, or should it? Let’s see what others have to say.

Survey Says…

According to a poll conducted by OnePoll on behalf of North American Van Lines, 64% of respondents said their most recent move was one of the most stressful things they’ve ever experienced. In fact, of those surveyed who did their last move on their own, 43% said they would never do it again.

How Long Does it Typically Take to Pack a Home?

According to Upack.com, here’s the breakdown:

Home Size/Time needed to pack

Studio/1-bedroom apartment - 10-20 hours

2-bedroom home/apartment - 20-40 hours

3-bedroom home/apartment - 40-60 hours

4-bedroom home - 60-80 hours

5+ bedroom home - 80-100+ hours

Okay, but it shouldn’t take that long to unpack - right?

Not so fast… According to a survey by Duck Brand tape posted on Realtor.com, it takes Americans an average of 182 days to unpack the last box… yikes! And that’s the average. One person reported 42 days, and the longest was 10 years and counting.

Moving sucks, so what can I do about it?

What if I told you there’s a magic service called Concierge Move Management? It’s a close as you can get to waving a magic wand and having your entire home set up at your command. At least once a week, I get a call from someone watching the movers unload a truck and feeling completely overwhelmed. The next thing I hear is that they didn’t know this service even existed! What does a Concierge Move Manager do? Well, besides taking a huge plate of stress off your table, let me count the ways.

Precision Packing
Our professional organizers take packing far beyond the basics that your average mover offers. We guide you through a decluttering process, so you only pay to move what truly matters.

Room‑and‑Category Sorting: We group belongings by room and function, making unpacking intuitive.
Color‑Coded Boxes: Every box gets a color tag and label (room destination + contents), so movers know exactly where to place it.
Streamlined Unpacking: With labeled, color‑coded boxes, you’ll settle into your new home faster—no guesswork, no misplaced items.

2. Mover Supervision & Project Management

Think of us as your personal move project managers.
We coordinate with your moving crew, interior designers, art & TV installation, and other service providers.
Source organizing supplies for custom solutions to maintain your investment.

3. Unpacking & Organizing

Room by room, drawer by drawer, closet by closet, professional organizers will get you functional faster.
Install shelf liners, hooks, and custom organizers for a polished look and, most importantly, functionality.
Arrange to haul off boxes, packing materials, trash, and even donations.

Whether you try to go it alone or hire a professional organizer/move manager, you can never start too soon. Declutter what doesn’t serve your future self, so you aren’t paying to move what you don’t need. And if you do want professional help, schedule when you know you are moving ahead of time - not the day of. This allows the professionals to have adequate manpower for the best results.
#movingtips #conciergemovemanagement

Jolene Monaco, CPO,® is a board-certified professional organizer and rescue dog mom with over 10K hours of organizing experience. She is a professional member of NAPO - National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals, former board member of NAPO-DFW, and holds a Move Management Specialist Certificate. Before becoming a professional organizer, Jolene worked for 28 years in domestic and international aerospace sales and jet engine maintenance operations.

Tales of Moving Terror