Make your move as painless as possible

For most Americans, moving is a part of life. The average American will move 11.7 times in his or her lifetime, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The act of moving is not always the most fun part of relocating, but you can do a few things to make things go smoothly.

Depending on what you are moving or your budget, you may choose to move on your own or hire a mover to assist you. Here are a few tips to consider during your home relocation.

Do-it-yourself moving

The first thing you should do if you take on the move yourself is to decide whether or not you'll need a moving truck to haul the big stuff. If you are moving a long way, or just want to avoid extra trips, you'll want a truck that can fit everything you'll be moving. The biggest moving trucks from U-Haul and Budget are able to accommodate approximately six to eight furnished rooms, according to an article on www.realsimple.com.

Another option, if you don't feel confident driving a truck, is to hire a service that will deliver a truck to your home for you to pack and then drive it to your location. This can be less expensive than hiring a full-service mover.

Hiring a mover

If you can afford it, hiring a full-service mover can eliminate a lot of stress on moving day. According to moving.org, here are some tips to keep in mind when hiring moving companies:

* Finalize a packing plan with your mover. If you choose to pack yourself, you may also be liable for any damages that occur with the move. It's a good idea to go over liability agreements before hiring a mover.

* Be present when movers arrive and during the packing of your goods, to avoid disagreements over your home inventory.

* Hire a mover far in advance to ensure their availability.

* Remove all extra items from furniture so they are ready to go when the movers come.

* Agree on delivery arrangements with the moving company.

* Ask about potential extra costs, like gas and insurance, before you sign a contract.

When hiring a mover, it's important to have everything packed up or ready to be packed by them when they arrive. Communicate ahead of time to see what their packing expectations are.