Moving to an unfamiliar destination can be exciting and daunting, requiring careful planning, patience, and attention to detail that requires time, energy, and dedication. Long-distance moves may seem overwhelming initially, but they can become smoother with proper planning and a moving company. National Movers has assembled this guide as a step-by-step plan for successfully carrying out long-distance moves.
Planning Is Key
Planning is crucial when moving long-distance. Starting as soon as possible can reduce last-minute stress. Depending on the distance of your move, it could require several months of preparations before your moving date arrives. Here are a few things to keep in mind during the planning stage:
- Budget: Determine how much of an estimate you can spend when moving. This will allow you to narrow down the options when hiring a moving company and purchasing packing supplies.
- Create a Timeline: After selecting the date and place for your move, create a timeline that outlines all tasks required in preparation for it.
- Logistics: Determine how your belongings will get transported from their current home to your new one. Do you plan to drive a rental truck or hire a moving company to move them for you?
Declutter Your Space
Moving is an opportunity to remove unnecessary items from your home and save on moving costs. Here are some tips for decluttering:
- Start Early: Make time to declutter now to prevent feeling overwhelmed later.
- Organize Your Belongings: Divide up your items into categories for keep, donate or sell to stay organized and know which items need to be eliminated from your possession. This can help ensure a seamless process when cleaning out clutter!
- Sell Items: Make some extra cash by selling any unwanted items you own to generate extra income.
- Donate: Items still in good condition may be donated to local charities and thrift stores.
Finding Reputable Moving Companies
Establishing relationships with reliable long-distance moving companies is the cornerstone of a successful long-distance move. Search for those that possess excellent experience, good reviews, and insurance as you search. Below are some helpful tips for finding your moving partner:
- Research: Before choosing your moving company, conduct some thorough research. Read customer reviews of various moving services and ask friends and family who have recently experienced long-distance relocation for recommendations.
- Gain Estimates: To compare prices between moving companies, obtain estimates from several moving firms to compare costs.
- Verify Insurance Coverage: Ensure the moving company you hire has insurance to cover any damages that might occur during their move.
- Maintain Your Address: Updating your address when moving long-distance is essential. Ensure you update it with all relevant agencies and organizations to avoid missing essential mail deliveries. Below are some ways you can do just that:
- Post Office: Visit or update your address online through the USPS website.
- Banks: Please update your address with your bank or credit union.
- Insurance Providers: Provide your new address to insurers as soon as you relocate.
Maintain Your Utilities
Proper utility management is key when moving long distances. Contact all utility providers to coordinate disconnecting services at your existing residence and reconnecting them in your new one, then schedule their disconnection and reconnections at both addresses. Here are some tips to keep track of all of them:
- Get Your Services Set Up: When moving to a new home, contact all utility companies, such as gas, water, electricity, and internet providers, to organize the disconnection of services at your old address and connection of services at the new place.
- Keep an Eye Out for Fees: Utility companies may charge fees for disconnection and reconnection services; it is essential to be aware of any possible charges to budget accordingly.
- Setting Appointments: Before arriving at your new home, arrange appointments for connecting all utilities.
Pack Carefully
Packing carefully is key to safely transporting your possessions during a move. Here are some tips to help pack effectively:
- Acquire Supplies: Secure packing supplies such as boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, and markers.
- Pack by Room: When packing each room, start with items you use the least often first.
- Label Boxes: Label your boxes with their associated room and contents to make unpacking at your new home much simpler. This will save time.
- Use Protective Materials: Bubble wrap or newspapers can help safeguard fragile objects.
- Pack Heavy Items Carefully: When packing heavy items, smaller boxes may be more appropriate to protect them from breaking and causing injury.
Establish an Inventory
A detailed inventory is an invaluable way of staying organized during a move, so here are some tips that will help you create one:
- List Items: Create an inventory list of everything that needs to be moved.
- Take Pictures: Take photographs of expensive electronics and valuable items in case of damage or theft.
- Label Boxes: Create unique box numbers and record their contents on an inventory list.
Keep Valuables and Essentials With You
When moving long-distance, protecting the valuables and essentials you carry with you is essential. Here are some helpful tips for keeping them secure:
- Pack an Overnight Bag: When packing an overnight bag, ensure it contains essentials such as clothing, toiletries, and medications.
- Transport Valuables Yourself: Keep valuable items such as jewelry, cash, and documents close at hand during a move.
- Take Pictures: Take pictures of valuable items to document their condition.
National Movers
At National Movers, we understand the stress associated with long-distance moves can be both daunting and stressful. That's why our experienced and reliable team of local movers is here to support you every step of the way. They provide professional packing and moving services - ensuring all your belongings arrive safely - and additional services like storage solutions, packing supplies, and loading/unloading. With us as part of your long-distance moving team, your move will run smoother than ever. Get in touch today to discover more about how we can assist!
