Planning On Long Distance Moving

Best Long Distance Moving Tips

  1. Make a plan as soon as you know you’re moving

You’re about to move everything you own hundreds or thousands of miles away. That kind of enormous task requires a plan! Whether you like to go with the flow or you want every moving-related to-do recorded in a spreadsheet, you should write down every moving-related task you need to accomplish. We know that’s a lot to juggle, so to help you out, we’ve already created the ultimate moving checklist to help you through every phase of your move. Check it out below!

  1. Stay on schedule

Now that you’ve got a plan, you need to stay on schedule. Tasks like utility installation and school enrollment are time sensitive, so you don’t want to be scrambling to complete everything at the last minute. To keep yourself from forgetting what you need to do and when, try scheduling chunks of time on your calendar for moving-related tasks or setting up reminders on your phone. Follow this long distance moving tip, and you’ll be on schedule and ready for a stress-free move in no time!

  1. Get multiple in-home moving estimates

Since you’re moving such a long distance, you need to do everything you can to find the right moving company. Part of this process is getting in-home estimates from at least three different moving companies. We recommend scheduling your estimates four weeks before your move, but the earlier the better. Don’t forget to make sure the price estimate is as accurate as possible by preparing your home properly for the in-home estimate.

 

Semi-trailer trucks crossing a high level bridge in British Columbia

How to Prepare for a Long Distance Move

  • Moving long distance is not a joke – you’re going to have to move hundreds or thousands of miles until you reach your new home. So, the only way to have a successful long distance move is to use this long distance moving checklist in order to prepare really well for the relocation challenges ahead of you.
  • The preparation phase of your cross-country move is absolutely critical – it includes 25 tips for moving long distance, including MANAGING your pre-move time; INVENTORYING your entire home, GETTING RID OF (DECLUTTERING) all your unwanted items, FINDING high-quality packing supplies, and PACKING your things using a detailed packing timeline.
  • Moving long distance is not a good time to test your DIY moving skills – the risks will be too high and the self-moving costs will become astronomical. So, the best way to prepare for a long distance move is to hire the services of a reputable, trustworthy, experienced and affordable long distance moving company.

 

DISTANCE MOVING TIPS TO HELP YOU AVOID DISASTER

INSURE YOUR BELONGINGS PROPERLY.

A lot can happen to your stuff over thousands of miles in the back of a truck when it’s being loaded and unloaded by a number of crews.  Moving is a high risk industry; according to statistics from the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), “More than 80% of all moves have no claim filed”- in other words, up to 20% do. Be ready for something to go wrong, and get the proper coverage. Under Federal law, basic moving valuation limits a mover’s liability to only $.60 per pound.  Determine well before your move if you want to purchase full-value coverage or stick to basic coverage. Take note of the deductibles and the amount of coverage you’re getting. If you’re unsure which is better for you, your moving company will explain the differences between the coverages, and you can make a more informed decision that will help you prevent your expensive long distance move from becoming a financial disaster.

INSPECT OUTDOOR FURNITURE

You will need to inspect your outdoor furniture, or any other suspect items, for signs of insect or larvae infestation. Certain moving regulations exist on furniture in order to prevent transporting contaminants across state lines. Government pamphlets are available to provide more information on these regulations and how you can rid your furniture of larvae, moths, or other pests.

CREATE AN INVENTORY LIST

Moving companies handling your long distance move will want to know how much stuff you have. The only way to truly know how much stuff you have is to make a list of all of it. An inventory list won’t just be helpful for getting accurate price estimates from movers; it will help you stay organized while packing for your move, and allow you to keep track of your items along their long distance journey. If you check something off at the origin and destination, you won’t be worried about whether or not it safely made the trip.

SAVE MONEY BY PURGING UNNECESSARY ITEMS

The more items you take with you across the country, the more it will cost you. Cutting down on your list of items can be easy if you approach this task the right way. The three best ways to get rid of items are donating, selling, and tossing. Media items like CDs, DVDs, video games and books are easy to sell, since they’re mass produced and one size fits all. Blankets and winter coats are in major demand by charities in cold weather cities. Cheap, bulky furniture items often aren’t worth the work it takes to move them, and these can often be donated as well.

 

How to Plan a Long-distance Move

Moving to the other side of town can be a very different experience from moving across the country — or to a different country. If you’re in for a big change of scenery, it pays to take stock of your situation sooner rather than later. A move to Alaska may seem exotic if you’ve never seen snow, but culture shock may have you racing back to the hot and humid South if you’re not careful. Every area has something valuable to offer, but make sure you understand a locale’s unique challenges by doing a little recon before you pack up the kids and hit the road.

We may come into the world naked, but we don’t stay that way for long. From the moment we arrive, we start accumulating possessions. Some of them stay with us a lifetime, while others don’t. One sure way to make your long-distance move a strategic disaster is to misjudge which items are keepers and which ones aren’t. From packing smart to knowing what to pitch, let’s take a look at a few strategies for implementing a long-haul move that won’t make you wish you’d stayed put where life was dull but predictable. Don’t cringe — yet. Moving is an adventure. All you need is a reliable plan.

 

Tips for Planning a Long Distance Move

Give Yourself Lots of Time

Because there are so many steps involved in planning and executing a long distance move, you’ll need more time. With a local move, I usually recommend at least 8 weeks but for a long distance move, 12-16 weeks is ideal, particularly if you’re moving to a new state or across an international border. The more complicated your move, the more time you’ll need.

Understand What Type of Move You’re Making

There are two types of moves: intrastate—meaning that you’re moving within the same state – interstate means that you’re crossing a state or international border during your move. Most long-distance moves are interstate moves and require a specialized mover who can move you across borders. The type of move will determine how you get your household stuff from your old to the new home and the costs involved. So know before you start planning.

Determine Your Moving Budget

Before you start planning too much, you should sit down and figure out how much you can afford to spend on your move which will help determine how you can move regarding whether you’ll hire movers or move yourself. Remember that a long distance move will always be more costly. Not only is there the travel costs between your old and new home but also the time and higher cost services you may need to hire.

Decide How Best to Move Your Things

Now that you know what type of move you’ll be making and what your budget looks like, you can assess your options for moving which can include moving yourself, hiring long distance movers, or shipping your goods through a shipping service. When considering how to move, make sure you look at how much time you have, your moving budget and how much you’ll need to be involved. Interstate movers are more expensive than local movers. However, they will also be able to advise you about any paperwork you may need to complete if you’re moving your stuff across an international border for instance. Some states also have particular rules for what can be shipped across their borders. Know the rules and what you’ll need before you decide how to move.