If you thought moving was hard, imagine moving several hundred miles away. Anything over 300 miles is generally considered a long-distance move and will require extra planning and maybe even some professional help. While the task is indeed daunting people do it every day – but not everyone does it right.
From the way you pack your items to the way you spend your moving budget; long-distance moves require much more thought and preparation.
Fear not though because the following tips will help you get ready for moving day and prepare you for an optimal long distance move.
Get Quotes
You may be asking yourself, “How much does it cost to move out of state?” Our first tip has more to do with saving money than anything else but if you are working off of a fixed moving budget it is imperative that you receive and compare multiple quotes.
Most long-distance moves, especially those that require interstate travel, will require the assistance of a moving company and they can charge a lot for this specialized service. Be sure you get quotes from most if not all of your local long-distance moving companies.
Consider Moving Insurance
The longer the distance of your move, the more chance that some of your items will become lost or damaged in transit – no matter how reputable the moving company is. Your home or auto insurance may already come with some type of moving policy so check there first.
Then ask your moving company about their policies. If you don’t feel comfortable with the level of protection offered, consider buying more comprehensive moving insurance.
Make a List
When moving long-distance, some of your belongings may be traveling with you, some may be with a moving company truck and some may even be shipped by land or air. This can get very confusing.
To avoid wondering if all your belongings made it to your home, make a list. This will take time but a comprehensive list of your possessions will come in handy if they are being transported by different means.
Get Rid of Unwanted Items
This is another tip that can save you money and unpacking time. Well before your move, you should go through your stuff and throw away or donate some of your unwanted clothes and household items. This will make the move cheaper if you are hiring a company – they usually charge by weight and distance. Plus, it will cut down on packing and unpacking time.
Keep Sensitive Materials with you
Whether you are driving or flying to your new home, you should keep your important documents and materials with you. These can include birth certificates, social security cards, passports, marriage certificates, business documents and anything that has your sensitive information printed on it.
It is more of a hassle replacing these items than it is to take them with you. Besides, you don’t want them falling into the wrong hands.
Put your Name on your Boxes
This would seem silly for a short-distance self-move but for a long-distance move that will involve a third party, this is a pro tip. That’s because some long-distance movers move the belongings of multiple clients in the same run.
To avoid getting your boxes mixed up or sent to the wrong house, put your name on your boxes. You may even want to put your phone number or other contact information on them as well.
Don’t Move in the Summer
This is another tip that will save you some serious money. Most people like to move during the summer because their kids or they may be out of school. Since the moving demand is high in the summer, so are the rates. If at all possible, try moving during the winter or spring. Moving companies will generally charge less for a long-distance move in these seasons.
Research your New Digs
Our last tip will typically apply more if you are moving into a condo, apartment or townhome so if you are, be sure to check in with the management company or homeowners association before your move. They may have strict move-in regulations that you will want to know beforehand. If the moving company you hire has to park off-site they will almost certainly charge you more.
Be Aware of the Basics
The above list is somewhat advanced but you should not forget about the basics especially when it comes to more logistically complicated moves like long-distance moving. Be sure to give yourself extra time to pack and clean up your old place. Lists will be your friend when moving so make create at least a to-do and inventory list.
Finally, you should always work with a reputable and reliable moving company to ensure your belongings arrive at your final destination safely and with as minimal damage as possible. Ask for references before you hire anyone. Above all else, ensure you arrive at your destination safely to begin this next adventure.
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