Even when you hire a moving company to do the heavy lifting for you, moving is stressful, hard work. It can take weeks or even months to sort through an entire household, purge the things you no longer want, and pack the stuff you do want. No matter how prepared you think you are, moving is still hectic. Here are four tips to ensure moving day goes smoothly for you and the movers. 

Pare Your Belongings Down to the Bare Necessities

Whenever you decide you want to keep something, ask yourself how likely it is that you will need the item before the big move. The more you can pack now, the less you will have to do at the very end. For example, it's unlikely you will need your shelves full of books or the knickknacks that line your entertainment center. You don't want the movers to arrive and find you still packing, so pack everything you can ahead of time.

Pack Sensibly

The movers know they need to be careful with your belongings, but you shouldn't make their job tougher than it needs to be. Rather than filling a box with heavy books, put a few on the bottom of each box. Then fill the remainder of the box with lightweight items that aren't fragile, such as the seasonal clothing you won't be needing prior to moving day.

For fragile items, be sure to wrap them carefully. Your moving company has special supplies for delicate items, such as bubble wrap and foam cushions to provide padding in between items, such as a stack of plates. Additionally, the boxes the moving company sells are usually far sturdier than what you might find rummaging through the grocery store's leftovers. They also have specialty boxes, such as those specifically made for heavy mirrors, paintings, or even your mattress. When you pack sensibly, you won't need to worry about dealing with unwieldy items or your possessions safely arriving at the new house.

Be Explicit with Your Labeling

Most movers are more than happy to bring boxes to the specific rooms they belong to at the new house. However, if you simply label a box "towels," they won't know if the box should go to the kitchen or to one of the bathrooms. Clearly labeling your boxes will make it easier for you if you need to find something, too.

Don't Forget to Show Some Appreciation

Like most service industry professions, your movers should be tipped. While there isn't a set percentage, each mover should be tipped at least a few dollars for every hour they worked. If the job was particularly difficult, increase the tip accordingly. If the job is going to take more than 3 or 4 hours, it's also a good idea to order pizzas and sodas for everyone. This will provide the fuel you all need to get through the day, and the movers will really appreciate your consideration.