Moving over a long distance is a challenge for many people. It is important to prepare because it will make the process a little easier properly. It would be best if you started preparing the day you find out you are moving until the day you have moved to your new home. You don’t have to plan a lot when moving over a short distance because you can pack your things in the back of the van and drive. With cross country moving, you will have a lot more distance to cover, which makes planning very important.
Below are some cross-country moving tips that will go a long way in helping you have a stress-free move.
1. Planning early
You need to start planning as soon as you know about the move. You need to have a plan in place because this task is enormous. Whether you are the type of person who prefers going with the flow or someone who records everything, it is important to note down the task you need to accomplish. You will have a lot of things to focus on, and it can be easy to forget some important tasks.
2. Staying on schedule
Once you have a plan, the next thing is sticking to the schedule. There are tasks such as school enrollment and utility installation that are time-sensitive, which is why you should never wait until the last minute to do them. You can even set up reminders of your phone to help you remember these tasks. Staying on schedule will save you a lot of stress before, during, and after your move.
3. Getting multiple estimates
Finding the right company is important, especially when you are moving such a long distance. The process of choosing the right moving company is getting estimates and the services they provide. You shouldn’t make the mistake of going with the first option you come across. Make a list of multiple movers and try to get at least three estimates about a month before the move, although the earlier, the better.
4. Hiring a reputable company
After going through the estimates and services provided by the moving companies, it is important to choose a reputable and trustworthy company. While the cost is going to play some part, keep in mind that cheap is not always the right option. There is nothing worse than a moving scam when moving thousands of miles. Invest time and effort in the process of choosing the right moving company. Here’s the list of the best cross country movers in USA
5. Updating important documents
When you change your address, you are going to update your information in many different places. This can become even more complicated if the place you are moving to is far from where you were. You might be required to updates important documents such as your license and registration. You should list down all of the documents that need to be updated so you can do it ahead of time. This is one of those things that you should always keep in mind when moving.
6. Purchasing moving insurance
Whether you have valuable items or not, you should know the things covered by insurance and those that are not. Meet your agent so you can know what your car and home insurance cover when it comes to moving. Many moving companies offer their customers limited insurance policy, but it is a good idea to get a more comprehensive moving insurance plan if there are valuable or expensive items to be moved.
7. Making an inventory list
Having an inventory is very important because you will be able to know what is going to be moved, and whether it gets to your destination. Whether you are going to use a notebook and pen or an app, make sure you have a list of all the things being moved. When you get to your new home, all you are going to do is check the inventory list and know whether everything got there.
8. Figuring where things will go in your new home
Before you can move the king-sized bed or five bookshelves across the country, you need to know if they are going to fit. Look at the open floor space in your new home instead of relying on square footage. When you do this, you will not be hit by surprises.
9. Downsizing
Before moving, try getting rid of unwanted stuff. When moving long-distance, the best thing you can do is to downsize. If there are clothes you haven’t worn in the past year, get rid of them. If there are books you have not touched or appliances you have not used, find a way to get rid of them too. You can either donate or hold a garage sale. When you do this, you can end up lowering the cost of moving. You will also have an easier time packing and unpacking.
Cross country moving will be harder compared to moving over a short distance. Having a plan in place will help you avoid headaches when moving.