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You should give yourself ample time to pack clothes for a move. For best results, begin packing at least a few weeks before moving. The packing process may take shorter or longer depending on how many clothes you have and the size of your home. Start with clothing that’s out of season and work you way to the pieces you plan to pack in your moving-day suitcase.

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.

When planning an out-of-state move, you should aim to save enough money to cover at least two to three months of living expenses, including rent, food, utilities, and transportation. Ideally, saving for six months or more is best, especially if you don't have a job lined up. You also need to budget for the transition costs, such as a moving vehicle rental, hiring movers, and packing materials. Cross-country moves typically cost between $2,400 and $6,860. You can calculate your estimated moving costs in advance based on factors like distance, weight, and the number of bedrooms.

Moving a one-bedroom apartment yourself can range from $150 to more than $1,500, depending on distance, the amount of belongings you have, and more. On the other hand, the cost of hiring movers for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,850 on average. You’ll save money with the DIY route, but the process is much more labor-intensive and time-consuming.