Jolene Monaco: Tales of Moving Terror and What You Can Do About It

By Jolene Monaco

“I love moving,” said no one ever. Moving is inherently stressful. There was a time in my life when a move was a welcome change. The feeling of a new beginning softened the disruption to my life that moving inevitably causes.

When life was simpler in my 20s, I’d get a group of guys from work, and that would cost me a U-Haul, pizza, and beer. Regardless of whether the move is a lifestyle upgrade or one that is the result of less desirable life changes, it sucks to uproot your life in boxes.

Moving Gone Wrong

Before I was a professional organizer and concierge move manager, I didn’t know how to vet a moving company. Google and Yelp weren’t the review sources they are today, so I would either get a referral or call someone after receiving a postcard in the mail. The problem with referrals is that they may not be the right fit for your move. And every time I think I’ve heard it all, I hear another tale of the things nightmares are made of. Like when the movers dropped off an entire load at a donation center (they were able to get some but not all of their items back) or multiple tales of movers holding a truckload hostage until they receive more money.

My First Moving Nightmare – 2007

There’s more than one, but those are stories for another time. Here are the mistakes I made and the red flags I shouldn’t have ignored.

1. I hastily booked movers after a quick home sale and, in a lapse of judgment, opted for the “free wardrobe boxes” special. That included two boxes (insert eyeroll), plus I had to give them back (insert double eye roll).

2. On moving day, they dragged a heavy concrete planter across my hardwood floor with no blankets or sliders until I objected.

3. When I protested their rough handling of a large piece of furniture, they shrugged and said, “Every move is like your furniture going through a fire.” Umm… no!

4. Peeking into their truck, I felt my soul leave my body. I saw my antique French desk teetering atop a haphazard pile of furniture and boxes, à la Sanford and Sons. Upon complaining, they told me I was free to find another crew. (Yes, really.)

5. I didn’t take out additional insurance. I only had Released Value Insurance, at no additional cost, which is 60 cents a pound per the DOT. The check arrived with an NDA on the back where I was to endorse. By cashing it, I agreed never to speak about the damages or the move.

Survey Says…

Is moving your home one of life’s most stressful events?

At my age, it’s expected that I’ve seen the stuff that life is made of. I’ve navigated the death of both parents, the death of two nieces, the murder of my closest friend (which triggered shingles right after at 23 years old), and closing a business I owned for 16 years. Compared to all that, a move shouldn’t even register on the stress scale, or should it? Let’s see what others have to say.

According to a poll conducted by OnePoll on behalf of North American Van Lines, 64% of respondents said their most recent move was one of the most stressful things they’ve ever experienced. In fact, of those surveyed who did their last move on their own, 43% said they would never do it again.

How Long Does it Typically Take to Pack a Home?

According to Upack.com, here’s the breakdown:

Home Size — Time needed to pack
Studio/1-bedroom apartment — 10-20 hours
2-bedroom home/apartment — 20-40 hours
3-bedroom home/apartment — 40-60 hours
4-bedroom home — 60-80 hours
5+ bedroom home — 80-100+ hours

Okay, but it shouldn’t take that long to unpack, right?

Wrong. According to a survey by Duck Brand tape posted on Realtor.com, it takes Americans an average of 182 days to unpack the last box… yikes! And that’s the average. One person reported 42 days, and the longest was 10 years and counting.

Moving Sucks, So What Can I Do About It?

Many people don’t know there’s a service called Concierge Move Management. It’s a close as you can get to waving a magic wand and having your entire home set up at your command.

As a moving concierge, I get a call from someone at least once a week who is watching their movers unload a truck and feeling completely overwhelmed. What does a Concierge Move Manager do? Well, besides taking a huge plate of stress off your table, let me count the ways.

Tips From Move Pros

Whether you’re moving across the street or across the state, professional move managers and concierge services have strategies to take the stress out of the process. Here’s how experienced moving concierges streamline every step:

1. Advanced Packing & Decluttering

A moving concierge often partners with, or in our case, are professional organizers who take packing far beyond the basics your average mover offers. Their approach typically includes:

Decluttering Before the Move: They guide clients through a purposeful decluttering process, helping reduce volume so you only pay to move what truly matters.

Room‑and‑Category Sorting: Belongings are grouped by room and function, making unpacking more intuitive and efficient.

Color‑Coded Boxes: Every box is labeled with a color tag and written contents (e.g., “Kitchen – Utensils”), helping movers place items in the correct room the first time.

2. Mover Supervision & Project Management

Think of a moving concierge as a personal project manager for your relocation.

Logistics Coordination: From managing your moving crew to coordinating interior designers, art and TV installers, and other service providers, a concierge keeps everything moving on schedule.

Sourcing Supplies: They also recommend or provide custom organizing solutions tailored to your new space — protecting your investment and saving time.

3. Unpacking & Home Setup

Room by room, drawer by drawer, closet by closet — a move concierge helps you get functional, faster.

Organized Unpacking: They install shelf liners, hooks, drawer organizers, and systems as they go, creating a polished look and usable space immediately.

Clear the Clutter: Many services also handle the post-move cleanup — arranging removal of boxes, packing materials, trash, and even donations.

Whether you try to go it alone or hire a professional organizer/move manager, you can never start too soon. Declutter what doesn’t serve your future self, so you aren’t paying to move what you don’t need. And if you do want professional help, schedule when you know you are moving ahead of time — not the day of. This allows the professionals to have adequate manpower for the best results.

Jolene Monaco, CPO,® is a board-certified professional organizer and rescue dog mom with over 10K hours of organizing experience. She is a professional member of NAPO – National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals, former board member of NAPO-DFW, and holds a Move Management Specialist Certificate. Before becoming a professional organizer, Jolene worked for 28 years in domestic and international aerospace sales and jet engine maintenance operations.