Moving & Packing Tips
20 Best Long Distance Moving Tips, Ever
Preparing for a long-distance move is a different ballgame compared to simpler moves where you can throw your belongings in a van and go. It requires careful planning and organization. The following long-distance moving tips will ensure you cover all the necessary steps and have a successful move.
As soon as you know you’re moving, start making a plan.
To avoid overlooking any crucial tasks during your move, it's beneficial to create a written checklist. We've prepared a comprehensive checklist to assist you in this process. Take a moment to review it and begin checking off the items on your list!
Maintaining your timeline is critical.
Now that you’ve identified tasks like getting utilities set up and enrolling your children in school, it’s essential to stay on track. Set aside time in your calendar for relocation-related activities and make sure to create reminders on your phone in order to avoid being left in a lurch at the last minute. Following this advice for long-distance moving will help you to stay organized and stress-free throughout the process.
Get multiple in-home moving estimates
If you’re moving a long way, it’s important to find the perfect moving company for the job. Try to schedule in-home estimates with at least three different movers about four weeks before the move. The sooner you can do this, the better. Make sure the estimate you receive is as accurate as possible by making preparations at your home for the in-home estimate.
Long Distance Moving Tips
Hire a reputable moving company
After you go through a few in-home estimates and compare prices, make sure to hire the most reputable and trustworthy moving company possible. Though affordability is an important aspect of this decision, remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best. Be wary as you plan your relocation; don’t allow yourself to fall victim to a fraudulent moving company that may try to take advantage of you and your belongings. Avoid being scammed on your long-distance move by doing your research and being mindful of potential pitfalls.
Update important documents like your license
When relocating to a new address far away, there are a variety of important documents that must be updated. Such changes include updating your driver's license and vehicle registration. Furthermore, other vital details must be altered to reflect your new address. This can be time consuming and is especially taxing if you are making a distant move.
Purchase moving insurance
Whether you have dozens of valuable items or not, make sure you are aware of what your insurance does and does not cover. Before you begin your move, it is essential to discuss your home and auto insurance policies with your agent. This will give you a better understanding of what is and isn't protected during your move. Many moving companies will provide a basic coverage, however, to ensure all precious items are secure, you may want to purchase a more comprehensive insurance plan.
Tips to Help You Pack for a Long Distance Move
You may feel that you have packing down to a science, but packing for a move across long distances requires different strategies. These long-distance moving tips will help you save money, consolidate your belongings, and guarantee that everything you own reaches your new place in one piece.
Make an inventory list
When you move long distance, your belongings may become spread across states or even continents. It's essential to catalogue all your items before relocating. Apps, notebooks, or even a simple pen and paper would work – the important thing is to create a complete and comprehensive inventory of your belongings. This way, you won't have to second-guess whether everything made it to your new abode, you can just glance at your list and rest assured.
Figure out where everything will go in your new home
Before moving your five bookshelves and king-sized bed across the country, you need to figure out if they’ll fit in your new home. Instead of going off of square footage, try to measure how much open floor space there is in the apartment or house. That way, you won’t be frustrated when you move your bookshelf all the way to your new home, only to find out that the square footage isn’t quite as open as you thought.
Take some time to majorly downsize
One of our top tips for a successful long-distance move is to really minimize the amount of items you take with you. Take a good look at what you have and get rid of the clothes you haven't worn in the last 12 months, any kitchen appliances you never use, and books you know you won't reread. This will save you time and energy, and make the move easier. Seriously, if you don’t use it, love it, or need it to survive, we recommend tossing it, donating it, or holding a garage sale. Purging your belongings could lower the price of your moving estimate and make packing and unpacking far easier.
Prioritize the items you need to keep with you
As you begin to pack, make sure to prioritize what you need to keep with you. We advise that you create an open-first box with all of the items you'll need in your first few weeks after moving, like bedding, dishes, pots, pans, and towels. In addition, make sure to keep a suitcase with you that's packed with toiletries, clothing, and any other personal items you'll need. Doing this will make your transition easier until the moving truck arrives and your belongings are inside your new home.
Pack boxes with distance in mind
Often overlooked during a long-distance move, packing requires more attention than usual. Fragile items should be wrapped up securely with bubble wrap, paper, and old t-shirts. For convenience while loading and unloading, keep the fragile items together in their own box and clearly mark them as such. Doing so will let the movers know to take extra care with these items.
Organize belongings as you pack
To make unpacking easier, avoid randomly throwing all your belongings into boxes. Instead, pack items by room or area. Consider assigning each box a number corresponding to your inventory list for efficient delivery to your new home.
Label boxes with your name
When you move long distance, your boxes will most likely be placed on a moving truck that includes boxes that belong to other families. This is actually fairly common. To ensure the safety of your belongings and prevent any mix-ups or misplacements, it is essential to clearly label each box with your name. For boxes of utmost importance that you want to safeguard against potential loss, it is advisable to include your phone number as well. This precaution can be especially helpful if a box happens to be delivered to the wrong address.
Let the professionals handle it
Moving hacks can save time, but packing an entire house takes months. If you're in a hurry or busy, consider hiring professional packers. For long-distance moves, their expertise in bubble-wrapping and taping is invaluable. You can also hire professionals for cleaning or organizing, but it can be costly, so check your budget first.
Save money where you can
If you're in a financial crunch during your long-distance move, consider DIY options to save money. You can pack, clean, and organize with the help of friends, or downsize to cut costs with the moving company. While it takes more time, involving friends can make the process enjoyable.
Tips for Making the Actual Long Distance Move
Having prepared and packed your belongings, it’s time to embark on your move. Whether you’re embarking on a road trip or catching a flight, these long-distance moving tips will help ensure the safe and secure transportation of all your possessions to your new home.
Move during off-season
Moving during the summer is a popular choice, but it can be costly when hiring a moving company. If possible, consider moving during the off-season to save money and simplify your move. Alternatively, scheduling your move on a weekday or in the middle of the month can also lead to cost savings.
Long Distance Moving Tips
Plan around your delivery window
When selecting a moving company, be aware that the delivery window for your belongings can extend over two weeks after you reach your new home. It is important to plan accordingly and prepare to live without the items transported on the moving truck for the initial month. To alleviate the stress of waiting, keep an "open-first" box with essential items and ensure your personal necessities are readily available during this period.
Be aware of your move-in situation
When the moving truck arrives, be prepared by researching parking regulations in your new neighborhood and ensuring adequate space. Avoid surprises by inquiring about additional fees beforehand. If moving into an apartment building, check for any specific move-in day requirements.
Triple-check your belongings before the movers leave
While packing, it's beneficial to create an inventory list of your belongings. Use this list to ensure that all items are accounted for during the move. Double-check and triple-check the list before the movers leave to quickly identify any missing items and address the situation promptly.
Tip your long distance movers
Tipping your movers is a thoughtful gesture to express gratitude for their hard work, especially if they provided exceptional service. You can tip a certain dollar amount per hour or offer refreshments like snacks and drinks. To ensure you follow proper tipping etiquette, consider contacting your moving company to inquire about the customary tipping practices. It's important to confirm that the tip was not already included in your moving estimate.
By keeping these long-distance moving tips in mind, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’ve covered important aspects of your move. If there are any other valuable long-distance moving tips that we might have missed, feel free to share them in the comments below! Your insights and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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