Moving stirs up a lot of emotions. You’re excited to make a new space your own, and maybe a little sad to leave a place you know. Moving with roommates adds another layer: more schedules, more stuff, and more opinions. A little planning keeps everyone on the same page and sets you up for move-in success.
Whether you’re all moving into a new place in Fort Worth together or heading off in different directions, these tips will help you avoid falling out with your roommates and make the move go smoothly.
1. Check in with each other regularly
It’s easy to forget essential to-dos like canceling bills in the chaos of moving. Some people in your shared house might also be struggling to balance packing with work, school or other responsibilities. Check in with each other regularly, whether that’s through a quick house meeting or a group text.
Keep each other up to date on what’s been done and what still needs to be sorted out. If anyone in the group is having a hard time, offer to help.
2. Give yourself extra time
Instead of thinking of it as moving day, think of it as moving week. Packing, cleaning and unpacking all take longer than you expect. Think about how much time you’ll need, then double it. That extra time gives you breathing room if something goes wrong and will help everyone feel more at ease.
If you can, overlap your old and new leases by at least a few days so you aren’t moving out and moving in during one super-long day. Take time off work if you can and spread the packing over several weeks, a little at a time.
Tip: Check your current lease for its move-out notice requirement. Many leases require written notice by a set date, and missing it could cost you another month’s rent. If everyone is on the same lease, make sure everyone agrees on the date before anyone gives notice.
3. Discuss bills early on
Talking about bills can be awkward. Putting it off until the last minute can cost you money if services aren’t canceled or transferred in time. Some providers want advance notice before you stop service, and some contracts carry a cancellation fee, so call early.
Moving with roommates makes this trickier because different bills might be in different people’s names, and usually only the account holder can cancel or transfer a service. Work out who’s in charge of each bill (electricity, water, internet and any streaming accounts) and assign responsibilities accordingly.
Good to know in Fort Worth: Most Fort Worth renters choose their own electricity provider. You can compare plans on Power to Choose, the Public Utility Commission of Texas’s official site. Oncor delivers the power no matter which provider you pick. If you’re on a fixed-rate contract, Texas rules generally let you avoid an early termination fee when you move, as long as you give your provider proof of your new address. If you’re moving together, decide whose name the new account will go under before you sign up.
4. Create a list of moving tasks
Get the pens and paper out (or start a shared note on your phones) and think about what needs to be done. Who’s going to cancel the bills? Who’s going to get the moving boxes? And if you need one, who’s going to book the moving company?
As you divvy up the work, you’ll relieve some stress and be able to put a plan and timeline together. Pin the list to the fridge so everyone can cross off tasks as they finish them. Our Moving Planner is a good place to start.
Don’t forget these roommate-specific to-dos:
- Change your address. Unless you share a last name and are moving to the same place, each roommate needs to file their own Individual change-of-address form with USPS.
- Sort out renters insurance. Don’t assume one roommate’s policy covers everyone’s belongings. Check each policy, and update it with your new address.
- Return or exchange keys, garage remotes and parking passes. Your landlord will expect all of them back.
- Put agreements in writing. If you’re moving in together, jot down who pays what and who owns what, and have everyone sign it. It’s simple and it heads off arguments later.
5. Divvy up your belongings
Living with roommates often means splitting the cost of big-ticket items. Because of this, there might be plenty of stuff in your home with no clear owner. If you all pitched in on a couch or a dining table and you’re moving to different homes, you’ll have to decide who takes what.
If you have to clear out the whole house, walk through each room and note who’s taking each item. Getting this done early can head off any last-minute arguments about who gets to keep the TV. If one person keeps a shared item, the others can be paid back for their share.
If you’re moving in together, use this step to cut out duplicates. You probably don’t need two microwaves, two vacuums and three sets of pots and pans. Sell or donate the extras before moving day so you aren’t paying to move them. For more ideas, see our post on 10 things to toss before your next DFW move.
Tip: Label every box with the owner’s name and the room it’s going to. Use a different marker color for each roommate if you can. Decide who’s getting which bedroom before moving day, so your movers can put boxes and furniture in the right place the first time.
6. Remember to eat
Moving can get hectic, especially with roommates, and it’s easy to forget about food in the middle of it all. But you need to replace the calories you burn lifting all those boxes! You probably won’t feel like unpacking the kitchen and cooking, so have a few local takeout menus handy. Keep a cooler of water and snacks within reach, too. Fort Worth heat makes it easy to get dehydrated on moving day.
7. Determine whether you need a moving company
Getting someone else to do all the heavy lifting is a surefire way to reduce stress. If you decide to hire a moving company, book at least two weeks ahead for a local move, or around 30 days ahead for a long-distance move. Book even earlier if you’re moving at the end of the month or during the busy summer season. Before you book, here’s what to verify about any mover.
If either your old or new place is an apartment complex, check with building management about move-in rules, such as elevator reservations, loading areas or set moving hours. Share the details with your movers ahead of time so there are no surprises.
If money is tight and full-service movers aren’t an option, enlist as many friends and family members as you can, and rent or borrow the biggest truck you can afford. The more people who can help, the less tired (and hangry) you and your roommates will be. You can also rent the truck yourself and hire pros just for the heavy lifting. Our Fort Worth crews offer rental truck loading and unloading.
8. Agree on a moving budget
Moving can get expensive once you add up gas, a moving truck, packing supplies and food. To avoid disagreements over who’s paying for the pizza when everyone’s exhausted and surrounded by half-packed boxes, set up a communal fund you can all dip into.
Agree up front on how you’ll split the bigger costs, too. Local moves are usually billed by the hour, so a roommate with a full apartment’s worth of furniture may take up more of that time than one who only has a bedroom set. Some groups split everything evenly. Others split by how much stuff each person has. Either works, as long as everyone agrees before moving day.
9. Consider hiring a cleaner
Giving the home a thorough cleaning when you leave can help you get your full security deposit back.
But by the time you get to the big, final clean-up, everyone will be worn out from moving boxes, and the last thing anyone wants to do is vacuum. Cleaning a shared house can be a challenge at the best of times, especially when everyone has a different idea of what counts as “clean.” If you all chip in, hiring a cleaner, or a team of cleaners, to do a thorough job on the empty home can be fairly inexpensive.
Protect your deposit:
- Take photos and video of every room once it’s empty and clean. Do the same at your new place before you unpack.
- Give your landlord a forwarding address in writing. Under Texas law, landlords generally have 30 days after you move out to refund a security deposit, but they don’t have to send it until you’ve given them a written forwarding address.
- Decide how the deposit will be split and who will receive the check, especially if you’re all moving to different places.
10. Go on an adventure once you’re done
Moving from one home to another is quite the undertaking. Once you’ve settled in, reward yourselves with an adventure, whether that’s a weekend away or a night out exploring the city. If you’re new to town, here are 5 reasons people love living in Fort Worth to get you started. Having something fun to look forward to will keep you motivated through the trials and tribulations of moving. And if some roommates are heading off to different areas, a shared night out will help you all keep in touch.
Moving to Different Places? Tips for Splitting Up
Not every roommate move ends under the same roof. If you’re going your separate ways:
- Stagger your moving days, or at least your time slots. Two crews and two trucks trying to load at the same time means blocked driveways, elevator waits and confusion over whose boxes are whose.
- Keep your belongings separated in different rooms or corners as you pack. That way, nothing ends up at the wrong address.
- Tell your movers up front if items are going to more than one address so they can plan the right crew and time.
- Mind the gap. If your new lease doesn’t start until after your old one ends, short-term storage can hold your things in between. Our climate-controlled warehouse storage is available in Fort Worth, Frisco and Euless.
- Moving just one big piece? If you’re taking the shared couch or a dresser and not much else, ask about single-item deliveries instead of a full move.
Moving with Roommates FAQs
How do you split moving costs with roommates?
Most roommates either split costs evenly or split them by how much each person is moving. Agree on the method before moving day, and use a shared fund for small costs like gas, supplies and food.
How far in advance should we book movers?
Plan on at least two weeks for a local Fort Worth move and about 30 days for a long-distance move. Book earlier for end-of-month and summer moves, when schedules fill up fast.
Do roommates need separate change-of-address forms?
Usually, yes. USPS asks each person to file an Individual form unless everyone moving shares the same last name and is going to the same new address.
How do we protect our furniture during the move?
Pack fragile items carefully and use padding on furniture. Professional movers wrap furniture in moving blankets to prevent scratches and dings. If you’re packing yourself, our packing tips can help, and it’s worth reviewing your moving insurance options for valuable items.
When will we get our security deposit back in Texas?
Texas landlords generally have 30 days after you move out to refund your deposit, minus any lawful deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Give your landlord your forwarding address in writing so the refund isn’t held up.
As you work through the move, keep communicating with your roommates as much as possible so you’re all on the same page. With these tips, you’ll be better prepared for a smooth move, whether you’re moving in together or heading your separate ways.
Contact Olde World Movers
To learn more about the steps we take to protect your home and belongings while moving, contact us today. We’ll also give you a free quote so you can start planning your Fort Worth move. We show up with all the equipment needed for a seamless, damage-free move. Please let us know ahead of time about any special requirements for specialty items. We can keep them safe, but we need to know what extra tools and equipment to bring. Rest assured, we also drive very safely so your belongings stay protected in our trucks during transit.
