Complete guide to moving in 2026: 30-day countdown list, moving company trends, pitfall avoidance guide and money-saving tips
Moving is no longer a hassle! This article includes a 30-day countdown plan, 2026 moving company market comparison, 6 key points to avoid pitfalls, self-service vs all-inclusive options, and a survival kit essential list
Table of Contents
1. 4 weeks before moving: planning and preparation
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Determine moving date
Choosing off-peak hours (weekdays or mid-month) is usually cheaper and easier to book a moving company.
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Estimate moving budget
Including moving company fees, packing materials, cleaning costs, new home decoration and other expenses
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Contact moving company
Compare quotes from at least three moving companies to confirm whether insurance and additional charges are included
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Start organizing items
Classified into four categories: "Take away", "Donate", "Discard" and "Sell" to reduce unnecessary transportation
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Notify important units
Notify banks, insurance companies, subscription services, etc. of updated address information
Tip
- Take photos to record the current living space configuration to facilitate rearrangement in the new home
- Make a moving schedule and set specific goals every week to avoid being rushed at the last minute
Important Notes
If you have a lease, check the notice period in advance to avoid additional penalties
2. 2 weeks before moving: packing and organizing
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Prepare packing materials
Basic materials such as cartons, bubble wrap, sealing tape, label stickers, and markers
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Packaged by room
Each carton is labeled with the room name and contents to facilitate quick placement when moving into a new home.
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Special handling of fragile items
Wrap fragile items with bubble wrap or old newspapers, and mark the word "fragile" on the outside of the box.
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Carry important documents with you
Do not put passports, ID documents, contract documents, valuables, etc. in the moving box
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Inventory large furniture
Measure the size of large furniture to confirm that it can pass through the door frame of the new home and the elevator
Tip
- Use different colored labels to distinguish boxes in different rooms
- Also put labels on the sides of the boxes so the contents can still be seen when stacked.
3. 1 week before moving: the final push
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Confirm moving company
Reconfirm date, time, address and special needs, and request final quotation confirmation
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Preparing a moving day survival kit
Includes a change of clothes, toiletries, mobile phone chargers, snacks and water, and commonly used medications
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Handling refrigerator food
Consume fresh food in advance and empty and defrost the refrigerator the day before moving
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Back up electronic data
Back up computer data to the cloud or external hard drive to prevent damage during transportation
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Arrange for pets and children
Ask relatives and friends to help take care of pets or children on the day of moving to ensure safety
Tip
- Prepare a “first to open” box and pack the items you need most on moving day
Important Notes
Confirm that the water, electricity and gas in the new home have been turned on to avoid being unable to use it on the day of move-in
4. Moving Day: Execution and Supervision
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Last tour of old residence
Check each room, cupboard, and balcony one by one to make sure nothing is missing
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Supervise the moving process
Be on hand to guide movers and mark which boxes require special care
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Record item status
Take photos to record the condition of large furniture before and after it is moved to prepare for insurance claims.
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Check list of items
After moving to your new home, check your checklist to make sure all boxes and furniture have been delivered
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Photograph water and electricity meter readings
Record the water, electricity and gas meter readings of the old home and the new home as a basis for settlement
Tip
- Prepare water and simple snacks for the movers to maintain a good cooperative atmosphere
- Keep your mobile phone fully charged so you can contact all parties at any time
5. After moving: Settling in and organizing
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Prioritize installing essentials
Start by installing basic necessities such as beds, curtains, bathroom supplies, etc.
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Check the condition of the house
Document any defects or damage to your new home and promptly notify the landlord or resolve them
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Get to know the new environment
Learn about nearby supermarkets, hospitals, pharmacies, public transportation stations and other important places
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Set up network and communications
Install the Internet as soon as possible to ensure smooth communication between work and life
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Update address information
Update address on all accounts, subscription services and official documents
Tip
- Don’t rush to finish it all at once, just finish one room every day
- Organize commonly used items first, and deal with the rest slowly
6. Moving cost estimate reference
| Expense items | illustrate | ways to save |
|---|---|---|
| Moving company basic fee | Calculated based on distance and amount of items | Compare multiple quotes and choose a weekday move |
| Packaging material fee | Cartons, tape, bubble cloth, etc. | Ask the store for free cardboard boxes and use old newspapers instead |
| Large furniture disassembly and assembly fees | Bed frame, wardrobe and other disassembly and assembly services | You can save this cost by disassembling and assembling it yourself |
| cleaning fee | Cleaning of old home after renting out or cleaning of new home when moving in | Clean yourself or hire a cleaner |
| insurance | Damage insurance for moving items | Confirm whether the moving company includes basic insurance |
| Temporary storage fee | Cost of temporarily storing items | Reduce the volume of items and avoid the need for additional storage |
Tip
- Decreasing your belongings before moving is the most effective way to save money.
7. Moving and packing tips
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Small box for heavy items, large box for light items
Use small cartons for heavy items such as books, and use large cartons for clothing and bedding to avoid overweight boxes.
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Fill the gaps in the box
Fill the gaps with clothing, towels or newspapers to prevent items from shaking and colliding inside the box
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Bag marking for wires and accessories
Pack electrical wires and accessories in ziplock bags and label them with the corresponding electrical appliance names.
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Moving hangers and clothes in batches
Use a large garbage bag to cover the clothes on the hanger from below, and hang them directly in your new home.
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Place dishes upright
The dishes are packed upright like records and are less likely to break than when placed flat.
Tip
- Make a detailed list when packing and record the number and contents of each box
- Pack items in the same room together to make them easier to place when moving in
8. 2026 Moving Company Market and Selection
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Recommended platform
Sunday moving, HouseTube, 591 home services, PChome chores. It is recommended to compare more than 3 companies and choose according to the reviews.
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When enquiring, ask clearly
"Whether the fee for going up or downstairs is included?" "Elevator vs. Stairs fare difference", "Freight increase for a journey exceeding X kilometers", "Holiday/night time increase", "Insurance limit"
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Three tips for saving money
Choose weekdays at noon (the cheapest), the middle of the month instead of the end of the month (tenants are more likely to change contracts), or disassemble and assemble the furniture yourself (save 20%)
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Cheap is not necessarily good
Quotes that are 30% lower than the market price will usually result in additional money. Avoid retail investors with “trucks on call” and no signboards
| combo | Suitable for objects | price range | Contains items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lite package | Single/Small Suite 1 car | NT$ 3,000-6,000 | Moving + 1 ride |
| Standard package | Couple/small family 1 room | NT$ 6,000-12,000 | Transportation + packing cartons + simple disassembly and assembly |
| All inclusive package | Family 3 rooms | NT$ 12,000-25,000 | Packing + disassembly + cleaning + insurance |
| Deluxe package | High-priced items/large square footage | NT$ 25,000+ | The above all-inclusive package + professional moving of piano/safe |
| Across counties and cities | Requires long-distance transportation | +NT$ 3,000-15,000 | Price increase depending on mileage |
Important Notes
Moving disputes are often caused by "the new price is quoted on site" and "no compensation for damaged items." Confirm the written total price, insurance coverage, and damage compensation standards before signing the contract.
9. 6 key points to avoid pitfalls: Don’t be treated as a dish
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Trap 1: On-site price increase
I agreed to 5,000 but moved it to half the price and said "2,000 for the stairs" and "3,000 for too many items". The written contract must state the total price in black and white
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Trap 2: No compensation if fragile items are damaged
The "insurance" of cheap moving companies usually only pays out NT$1,000-3,000. Valuable items require separate "logistics insurance"
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Trap 3: Time delays
We agreed to arrive at 2pm and didn't arrive until 5pm. Confirm "on-time penalty" or "slot guarantee"
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Trap 4: Understaffing
We promised 4 people, but 2 people came. Confirm the "number of dispatched persons" when quoting and write it into the contract
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Trap 5: Carton fee trap
"Free cartons" often have to be returned after use, or extra money will be charged if not. Confirm whether it is really a "gift"
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Trap 6: Calculation of tolls across counties and cities
The calculation of "X yuan per kilometer" may be different (one way vs round trip, empty vs full). The estimated total toll is written into the contract
Tip
- Use your mobile phone to record or take photos on the day of moving to record the condition of the items when they were moved out to facilitate subsequent claims settlement.
- Take your valuables (jewellery, cash, passport) with you and do not leave them to the moving company
Key Takeaways
- 1 Start planning at least one month before moving and make a timetable to implement step by step
- 2 Systematic packaging: divide rooms, make labels, and make lists
- 3 Compare quotes from multiple moving companies and confirm insurance and additional costs
- 4 Prepare a survival kit on the day of moving, supervise the moving process and take photos to record it
- 5 After moving into your new home, organize it in order of priority and update all address information in a timely manner
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