Moving tips and guides for the Treasure Valley
Straight answers on planning, packing, costs and hiring the right movers, from the crew that moves Caldwell, Boise and the rest of the valley every week.
Read before you move
The ultimate moving checklist & timeline
A week-by-week plan from eight weeks out to moving day, so nothing gets left for the last afternoon.
Read the checklistHow to choose a moving company
How to check a mover's USDOT and MC numbers, what a good written quote shows, and the red flags worth walking away from.
Read the guideMoving to Idaho
Long-distance moves into the Treasure Valley, planned around your dates and your closing.
Long-distance movesShould you hire movers or do it yourself?
A do-it-yourself move looks cheaper on paper. Then you add the rental truck, fuel, dollies, blankets, a weekend of friends' time, and the risk of a sore back or a gouged door frame. For a studio apartment, DIY can make sense. For a family home, a piano, a gun safe or a move across state lines, a trained crew with the right equipment usually costs less than it saves.
What affects the cost of a move
- How much you're moving. More rooms means more crew time.
- Distance. Across town, across the valley or across state lines.
- Access at both homes. Stairs, elevators, long walks from the truck and tight streets all take time.
- Packing. Packing yourself saves money; having the crew pack saves days.
- Heavy and specialty items. Safes, pianos, shop tools and gym equipment need extra hands and gear.
- Timing. Summer weekends and the end of the month book up first.
- Storage. If your new place isn't ready, storage between homes adds to the job.
Tips for a smoother move
- Book early. Good crews fill up, especially in summer.
- Declutter before you pack. Every box you don't move is time you don't pay for.
- Label every box with the room and what's inside, and mark fragile boxes clearly.
- Pack an essentials box with clothes, chargers, medications, toiletries and documents for the first night.
- Keep valuables with you. Jewelry, passports, titles and cash ride in your car, not the truck.
- Sort out parking at both homes, and clear a path from the door to the curb.
- Plan for the heat. On a hot valley day, an early start is easier on the crew and on anything that shouldn't bake in a truck.
Want the full plan? Use the 8-week moving checklist.
Questions people ask before they move
How far in advance should I book movers?
One to three weeks covers most local moves. For summer or the end of the month, book four to six weeks out. If your timeline is shorter, call anyway: we can sometimes fit a short-notice move.
Do movers provide packing materials?
Ours do. Moving blankets, shrink wrap and floor protection come with the crew. Boxes and full or partial packing are available; ask when you get your quote.
What if something gets damaged?
Better Route is licensed and insured. Ask any mover what coverage comes with your move and what more is available, and get the answer before moving day. If something goes wrong on one of our moves, we own it and make it right.
Can movers handle last-minute changes?
Often, yes. Tell us as early as you can. An extra room, a new date or a second stop is easier to plan for than to discover on the day, and a change in the move can change the quote.
Get your free moving quote
Tell us about your move, or call and talk to a person. We'll set up a quick video or in-person walkthrough and send you a written quote.