If you run a business from home or have your own office, you will need to move it with you when you relocate. Bringing your office along can be complicated if you don’t plan well and in advance.

Before you do anything else, make sure you hire a shipping company that has any experience moving office. Sometimes known as “office removal specialists,” these people will know what should be packed in cardboard boxes and what shouldn’t, how to protect valuable equipment and how to dismantle and reassemble office furniture.

If you have electronic equipment, make sure it gets boxed using padding material and thick cardboard moving boxes. Always seal moving boxes with quality packing tape so there’s not risk of contents getting spilled or shift around.

Aside from moving the actual office equipment, you will need to move the logistics of the business. This means getting new business cards, renting a new office, changing your business address and making sure your clients can find you. If you can’t provide services at a distance, you will need to plan on finding new clients upon arrival.

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Packing up the garage can be a little intimidating. Not only do most people keep all sorts of mechanical equipment here, but the garage is usually where unused items, broken or discarded pieces and even off-season decorations end up. When you’re ready to start packing your garage, here are a few tips to make the process as painless as possible.

Decide what things you absolutely must bring with you. Get rid of anything that you use only occasionally or that has passed its useful timeline. Sell heavy or bulky items such as patio umbrellas or grills unless they’re one-of-a-kind and it would be too difficult or expensive to replace them.

Buy heavy-duty cardboard boxes that will stand the weight of equipment and metal parts. Secure them with packing tape all around before you start boxing things away, as the boxes might be too heavy to maneuver properly after the packing is finished.

Secure tools and small metal parts with plastic tabs or place them inside Taperware containers. Make sure you fill the containers to the top so there is no shifting. Place the full containers at the bottom of the cardboard boxes to avoid damaging other items.

Take apart any moving parts, blades or glass sections. Wrap everything individually using bubble wrap for fragile items. Pack everything in bags (so the parts don’t become separated) and then pack inside the same box. Dismantle patio furniture if possible.

Contact a car shipping company if you’re planning on taking your car along. If you’re not moving too far, consider driving the car yourself. Not only will this save you money, but you can also use the backseat and trunk to move extra items that are not allowed in moving trucks, such as plants, or items that are not protected by insurance, such as photo albums, jewelry and CDs or DVDs.

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Moving overseas is not something that happens every day, so chances are you will have extra time to prepare and organize the move. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t worry or put effort into the process. In fact, because of customs restrictions and costs, moving abroad presents its own set of problems you will need to deal with as early as possible.

If you’re moving to work with an international branch of your company, ask whether they will foot the bill for the move. Even if they don’t plan on paying for everything, you might be able to arrange for partial coverage, such as them paying for a few boxes or bags of essential or offering a partial payment towards the moving fee.

The next step should be to contact the embassy of the country you’re moving to and get a list of restrictions. Are there quarantine laws for pets? If you’re bring Fido along, what paperwork will you need? Are there limits on the type of items you can bring along (anything from guns to electronics to a knife collection)? What are the import and duties fees for different items? You might found out that is cheaper to replace some things than it would be to take them along.

Finally, research your destination. Humid climates may ruin works of art or photos, so might want to consider leaving them behind. If you’re going to be living in a small space or a hotel, it makes sense to take only the basics and sell large furniture or items.

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You probably won’t forget to finish packing your closet, but other important things might slip your mind.

1. Pack a lunch so you have something to eat at the last minute or in route. Don’t count on ordering in or cooking, as this can create more garbage and increase your work load.
2. Make sure everything in the house is locked, all lights are turned off and there is no electrical equipment left plugged in.
3. Check all cupboards for anything that could have been left behind.
4. Check the yard to make sure no toys or sports equipment is lying out there.
5. Make sure you have printed directions to your new home (or hotel or whatever it is you’re driving), as well as a list of important phone numbers.
6. Charge your cell phone to the max in case you get lost and need to call for directions or to ask for help.
7. If you’re a renter, take photos of any damage you see if you haven’t received your security deposit back, so there’s no chance for an inflated bill or for any discussions over charges.
8. Confirm with the person who is supposed to pick up the keys or call to make sure they will be there if you are supposed to drop them off. Is there more than one copy of the keys around? Make sure you don’t leave extra keys in hidden spaces outside the house or with friends or acquaintances.
9. Double check your purse to make sure you have all necessary documents with you. Pack some pain relievers (all the stress of moving can cause headaches), tissues and a small notebook and pen.
10. Take a moment to say goodbye to the place. Whether you have mostly good or bad memories of the house you’re living, it was an important part of your life and you should take the time to acknowledge and then move on to a new chapter.

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Packing and moving doesn’t have to be wasteful.

• Only buy as much packing material as you will need to move. This is especially true of materials that can’t be recycled, such as bubble wrap. Try to estimate in advance how much you will need so you don’t buy in excess.
• Choose moving blankets in colors you like so you can reuse them in visible places, such as to cover a couch to protect it from dog hair. Large moving blankets can also be used as a secondary blanket for your guest room. Just use them in between the top sheet and a more elegant bedspread or blanket.
• Reuse your cardboard boxes to store things in your basement or attic. Wardrobe boxes can be used to store out-of-season clothes, and regular square boxes can make excellent containers for holiday decorations, sport equipment or items you plan to donate at some point.
• Use bubble wrap to secure presents or items you need to ship. This is cheaper than buying padded envelopes or paying for especial shipping.
• Donate your packing supplies to your local church or thrift store after you’re done unpacking. Blankets and boxes might be especially welcome.
• Ask your moving company in advance whether they have a recycling system in place. Some moving companies will pick up packing pellets or boxes from you after the move or they might be able to direct you to a place that will accept those items.

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Moving doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. In fact, there are many little things you can do to save money and still have a successful move.

Don’t hire a moving company if you’re moving within the state. It will be cheaper to rent a truck and move yourself. You will also save money because you will be buying your own moving supplies and packing your cardboard boxes yourself.

Pack your moving boxes tightly. Not only will this save you money (you will need less boxes) but it will also protect your items from shifting and breaking during transportation.

Book the moving company or truck in advance. Waiting until the last minute will give you less room for bargaining and you run the risk of not finding an available slot in the cheapest company and having to settle for a more expensive one.

Buy packing supplies in bulk for better discounts. Buying complete sets is sometimes cheaper than buying all products separately, so look into that as well.

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The wisest thing when moving is to leave your garden behind. This is mainly because moving plants is complicated and expensive, and there’s no guarantee that the plants will make it to their destination without getting damaged along the way. Sometimes, however, you might have your own reasons for wanting to bring your greens along: maybe you have a priced herb garden or an expensive orchid or other special flower. While moving with your plants is not easy, it’s certainly not impossible if you follow a few simple tips.

1. Check in advance to see if there restrictions regarding moving living things to the area where you’re going. Certain states don’t allow you to drive in with plants.

2. Don’t give the plants to your moving company but instead move them yourself in your car. Some moving companies will not allow plants at all in their trucks, but even those that do will not be able to guarantee their safe arrival.

3. Take a few cardboard boxes and pack the potted plants inside. Make sure the box is completely filled so there’s no shifting of the pots when driving. Don’t close the lid of the boxes, so the plants can breathe properly.

4. Fill any empty spaces in between pots with bubble wrap. This will steady up the containers and make the boxes more firm and secure.

5. Place the cardboard boxes in the back seat of your car. Fill the space in front of them, where your feet would go and against the back of the front seat, with luggage or other containers, so the boxes can’t shift forward.

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Wardrobe moving boxes can make it easy to move your clothes without wrinkles and snags ruining some of your items. The obvious first step is to hang anything that you don’t want to fold from the metal bars inside the wardrobe boxes. Jackets, dresses and blouses should be first. Make sure you use every inch available so the hangers don’t have space to slide back and forth. This will prevent things from falling off. Bags, ties and similar items can be placed on the hangers as well –Simply put them on top of the clothing. Don’t be afraid of hanging several items on the same hanger. Simply stock them carefully, making sure the smallest one are at the bottom (so they don’t stretch).

Items that you don’t mind folding should be placed in large shopping bags and put at the bottom of the moving boxes. Try placing similar items together, so you end up with bags of sweaters, t-shirts and jeans. Purses can also be placed in bags and at the bottom of the wardrobe boxes , but make sure not to squash them. Pack the moving boxes as tightly as possible to prevent shifting.

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Moving can be dangerous to your possessions. Unless you plan carefully and pack your moving boxes well, you risk things breaking or becoming damaging in the process. To make the moving easier and protect your valuables at the same time, keep these three things in mind:

1. Don’t pack anything that it’s on the banned list. Most moving companies have a list of things that are not covered by insurance and that they won’t put any special care on. These include personal papers, DVDs and CDs, photo albums, laptops, antiques, collectibles and jewelry. Anything that is not protected by the warranty should be taken with you instead of packed into cardboard boxes.

2. Wrap and cushion anything that can be chipped, scratched or dented with moving supplies. Make sure all mirrors and glass objects are properly packed and surrounded by pellets and bubble wrap, so they don’t break due to movement. Also, protect valuable furniture (especially upholstered pieces) by wrapping them with moving blankets or plastic wrap. This will prevent cuts and dents, as well as stains.

3. Buy extra insurance for special items such as pool tables and pianos, or contract a separate company that specializes in moving this type of objects.

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When packing boxes to move, it makes sense to put aside a few items that you will need during the process. A survival cardboard box should contain items that you will need right before you’re leaving and after everything else has been packed, as well as items to be used as soon as you arrive to your new home and before you start unpacking. Examples of things to put in these such moving boxes include:

· A couple of sheets or large towels. You can use one to cover yourself and one to cover the window in the bedroom, so the light doesn’t bother you in the morning. This is especially important if the curtains are still not up in your new home.

· Toilet paper, toothpaste, soap and toothbrush.

· Any medications you need to take on a daily basis.

· A couple of light bulbs, in case there aren’t any already there. You want to make sure you have lights on your first night there.

· Cleaning supplies, including garbage bags, paper towels, small broom (take the handle off so it fits in the box), a multipurpose spray cleaner, bleach and a few rags.

· Basic kitchen utensils, such as knives and forks, a couple of plates and cups and instant coffee or tea bags. You should also research in advance for local food delivery shops and write down their phone numbers in a piece of paper, so you can get pizza or Chinese food (instead of cooking) on your first night.

· Small tools to assemble furniture or fix doorknobs and other essentials on your first day.

· Pet food and their dishes.

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