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Start by removing any obstacles in the moving path, such as side tables, lamps, or other furniture. If your couch has legs, unscrew them. Measure the couch and the stairway to ensure you have enough room; if it seems unlikely, examine the shape and size of the couch and decide whether it might fit better up the stairway and through doorways on its side, held diagonally, or moved in an upright position.

Consider putting the sofa on a dolly to go up the stairs. It should be able to fit upright on a standard dolly with wheels. You’ll still need to lift the dolly—with the couch on it—up the stairs, but it will reduce the physical strain. The person holding the dolly should pull the couch up, while the helper should be on the other side, keeping the couch secure and steady.

If you don’t have a dolly, the person in front should lift the couch slightly higher than the person in the back to create more stability. The person in the back should also be the stronger mover, as most of the weight will be distributed there.

Apartments come with strict regulations about what pets are allowed, so check before you sign a lease. If you have a fish or reptile, wait to move them until everything is set up and you’re ready to do a special move just for them and their aquarium/terrarium.

For a dog or cat, be sure you have a carrier before the move. On moving day, it’s best to designate a “safe room” or even a crate for your pet to help them get used to the new space. Keep everything they need in the safe room, and let them explore the rest of the apartment in their own time.

To pack mugs securely for a move, start by lining the bottom of a moving box with padded packing material like bubble wrap. Wrap each mug individually, tucking the ends of the bubble wrap inside the mug for a snug fit. For extra protection, consider using a moving box with built-in slots to keep the mugs separated.

When placing the mugs in the box, pack them tightly enough to prevent them from shifting, but not so tightly that they are under pressure. Fill any empty gaps between the mugs with additional packing material. To keep the box from becoming too heavy, it's best to pack no more than 10 mugs per box. Finally, be sure to label the box as “fragile” so movers know to handle it with care.

Renting a moving truck is often the cheapest way to move long-distance, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $2,100. For smaller moves with fewer items, a moving container can cost as little as $700. As the distance of your move increases, using moving pods or containers can become more cost-effective because you can ship them to your destination and avoid transportation costs like gas, mileage, and lodging.