Make Sure Your Company Is Insured and Competent:

Using a moving service can cut down on time and energy you need to pack and unpack boxes, and get settled in. There are also certain protections you have when you use a moving service. Your property is covered if it is damaged during the move in this very important occasion.

In San Francisco and all the surrounding areas, it is incredibly mountainous with steep hills and multiple steps. Many of the buildings also have very narrow doorways. It’s not only can be a hassle, but it can also be dangerous and costly if you don’t know what you are doing. Professional movers have insurance. Their insurance typically covers your items if anything gets broken during the move. For many people, some of the items that are being moved are extremely valuable and irreplaceable. Even though that is the case, it is better to have some type of coverage on it, where as if you move it yourself, there is no coverage on it unless you have insured those items individually.

You want to use movers who are familiar with the terrain and the design of the housing structures in areas like Los Altos Hills, or Mountain View. Moving future up or down a hill or mountain side, if that is where your new dwelling is located, is a difficult task. It is the same idea with the inside of the home. You want to work with a company that is used to going up several flights of stairs. Nobody wants tired, or inexperienced movers trying to carry their bed and dressers up to the third or fourth floor. That is how walls and the property get damaged.

You have to be careful when selecting moving companies. There are some people who say they are movers, but really they are just looking to steal your property or your money. The company you use should have a website, or at least reviews somewhere on the internet. The moving company you are thinking about using has no digital footprint, not even a social media page or website, it might be better to choose a different company. You should know what the moving service you use has done and if they are a reputable company. That will help to do decide who to choose when it is time to move.

Don’t choose just anybody when you are ready to move. Choose a company who cares about getting the job do not just quickly, but also correctly and carefully.

10 Ways to Get Your Home Packed and Moved without Breaking Stuff:

Find out how to get organized, what supplies you'll need, types of boxes available and how to pack each one. With the following guides and suggestions, you'll find packing isn't as hard as you first imagined.

• 01of 10
  Where and How to Start Packing?

  

  David Sacks/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Each time we move I feel overwhelmed, a little anxious and definitely unprepared. Moving is tough and with so many tasks to do, it's hard to know where you should start. To help, we came up with this easy guide to help you through the first steps in moving house which usually begins with how to organize the packing and sorting of all that stuff. 
• 02of 10
  Everything You Need to Know About Moving Boxes

  

   B2M Productions/Getty Images.

  When you're moving, getting organized with boxes is an important step. Should you spend some money and buy sturdy boxes, or is recycling old ones the way to go? Is bigger better? Sure a big box will hold more, but is the box strong enough to hold more, and will it then be too unwieldy to carry?  And how many will I need?

  To get you thinking beyond the box, here is help on what you need to know when getting boxes for your move. 
• 03of 10
  Easy and Essential Packing Quick Tips

  

   JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Getty Images.

  Not all of us have a lot of time to move. While I usually recommend at least 8-12 weeks to organize, pack up and move a home, some of us don't always have that kind of luxury.  So, to help, we've provided some quick packing tips that will make your packing go a little smoother and faster. So faster, in fact, that you'll be surprised just how easy it is to get your home ready before the movers arrive.
• 04of 10
  Must Have Packing Supplies

  

   Tape the Box Closed. D. Schmidt

  I remember one move when the night before the movers was to arrive to pick up your household goods we ran out of packing tape. It was a nightmare trying to find a store open late, never mind one that sells packing tape. My husband spent over an hour trying to track down a roll or two.  In the end, we completed our packing in time.  But not without a lot of unnecessary stress.

  So, to make sure your household goods are packed securely and on time, start with purchasing the right kind and amount of...MORE
• 05of 10
  Packing the Moving Truck

  

   Alan Powdrill/The Image Bank/Getty Images.

  You've booked your moving truck and packed your belongings, now it's time to think about moving day. If you're like my husband, then you'll want to plan how the truck should be loaded before you put even a single box in the back of the truck. I have to admit, I'm not the most patient mover, but advance planning on how to load the truck is a good idea. Just don't tell my husband I said so!
• 06of 10
  How to Pack and Prepare Major Appliances for a Move

  

   Gary Houlder/Stone/Getty Images.

  Large appliances are difficult to move. Not only are they heavy and awkward, but they usually require some kind of uninstallation. Add to this issue is the fact that most moving companies insist that all major appliances are prepared before they arrive. Most movers do offer a professional service that will prepare major appliances for you for a fee. While it may seem pretty simple to prepare your appliances for moving, if it isn't done correctly, you may find units not working when they...MORE
• 07of 10

  How to Pack Electronics

  

   Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Getty Images.

  While electronics aren't as complex to disassemble as major appliances, they still require some knowledge when it comes to packing. Use this easy to follow step-by-step guide to packing all your electronics, including how to properly label the plugs and wires to ensure you can set-up the equipment when you get to your new home.
• 08of 10
  Guide to Packing Pictures, Frames and Mirrors

  

   Image Source/Getty Images.

  A friend of mine who moved recently decided to move her framed pictures by stacking them side-by-side then taping them together. While she managed to move them from her old home to the new place without any chips or breaks, the tape ruined the finish.

  So, how do you pack pictures and frames without chipping corners or breaking glass or using tape that will cause permanent damage? Find out in this easy step-by-step guide. You'll be sure to have all your artwork and photos arrive safely.
• 09of 10
  How to Pack Flatware and Plates

  

   Hero Images/Getty Images.

  It may seem that plates are pretty easy to pack and move. But, over the years and many moves our family has made, we found that plates can be easily chipped and cracked depending on how they're packed into the box. Use this guide to packing your plates to ensure they arrive in one piece. 
• 10of 10
  All You Need to Know About an Essentials Box and How to Pack One

  

   Caiaimage/Getty Images.

  I can't tell you how frustrating it is to move without an essentials box.  Our first few moves we didn't know how important it was to prepare one, which left us scrambling for the first night in our new home.

  Everyone should prepare an essentials box, a box full of items you'll need for your last few nights before you move and/or the first few nights in your new home. Use this guide to know what to pack.