15 Long Distance Moving Tips You Can’t Go Without

Tips for a Long Distance Move

According to the data gathered by the United States Census Bureau, an average person in the US moves around 11.7 times during their lifetime. The list of their reasons to relocate is pretty extensive. However, the majority does it for educational or career purposes. Also, a great deal of Americans choose relocation for love. Whichever your motivation is, strive to follow these pieces of advice:

• Make an inventory list of your belongings,
• Find the right long-distance moving company,
• Plan your packing process carefully,
• Wrap and protect your belongings adequately,
• Pack your clothes when you’re done with furniture and other household items.

Take your time to plan and execute each step correctly. Although most of these long distance move tips apply for every home, customize them according to your needs.

Making the Home Inventory List

Organizing your relocation before commencing to box up your properties is essential. The first step you need to take is making an inventory of your belongings. You should carefully look into every closet, drawer, cabinet, and storage unit. Examine your stuff and start thinking which ones you want to bring along. The inventory list will help you with several important things:

• Firstly, it will enable you to track your possessions with ease. Once you know exactly what you have, the chances of forgetting or losing something are way smaller.
• Secondly, you’ll start to contemplate downsizing. To let go of some unused properties, clothing, or appliances and declutter your home is an excellent choice, even when relocation isn’t around the corner. But, in this case, it plays an even more significant role.
• Lastly, this checklist will be your guide when loading and unloading your vehicle or the moving truck.

Download an App to Catalogue Your Household Items

Although writing stuff down to keep track of everything while relocating is a good idea, you can boost it a bit more. Modernize and simplify your efforts by downloading an application that will help you remain organized. Take pictures of all your belongings and let your smartphone do its magic. This is an excellent way to ensure your stuff. You will have proof of each item’s condition. If anything gets lost or damaged, you won’t suffer any consequences.

Find the Right Long Distance Moving Company

Hiring the best long-distance movers and avoiding scams is crucial. The data suggests that more than 90% of all cross-country moves ended successfully. Still, there some red flags you need to keep an eye on:

• Bad reviews,
• The lack of testimonials,
• Missing insurance and license,
• Excessively high costs,
• Suspiciously low relocation costs,
• Companies only that take cash payments,
• Asking for a (high) deposit.

Every reputable cross-country moving company must have a USDOT number. Check it out before you officially sign an agreement with them. When you research your options, do some math and pick the ally that matches your relocation budget.

Schedule an On-Site Estimation

You could seek and compare quotes online. Also, you should get in touch with multiple organizations that can help you move and provide adequate storage units or packing service. Still, you will need to book an on-site appointment and showcase your household. That way, you’re going to get the most accurate assessment. Once the experts look into your belongings, you will know for sure how much time and money you’ll have to spend.

How Much Should I Tip Long Distance Movers?

You should explore some general rules about how to tip the movers. None of them are mandatory, and estimating whether you should tip and how much money you should leave for this is entirely up to you. However, you should offer additional compensation if:

• Your relocation process was complex,
• You needed special preparation for various objects,
• The weather was extreme.

More importantly, if the crew showed up on time, expressed a positive attitude, and performed every task cautiously yet swiftly – surely you should reward them. The usual range is from $20 to $60 per person.

Plan Your Packing Carefully

It will unquestionably take you a few weeks to pack everything you need. To avoid mess, damage, losses, and unpredictable scenarios, you’ll need a detailed strategy. One of the best ways to start is to pack the non-essential belongings that you certainly won’t use right before or during the relocation day. Those include off-season clothing, Christmas decorations, and similar objects. Everything must be packed in separate boxes and every box should have a proper label so that you will know its exact content afterward. Packaging fragile items in the same container as your clothes can only create chaos and prolong the unpacking process. Start planning and loading stuff room by room and divide them into (logical) categories.

How Long Before Moving Should You Start Packing?

The whole relocation process preparation should start around two months before the big day. During the first two weeks, you should clean up and declutter. Approximately six weeks before you relocate, you must be in the clear regarding the belongings you’re going to take or toss. The ideal moment to start the actual packaging process is around three weeks before the move. By that time, you must:

• Gather the necessary materials and equipment,
• Collect label markers for your boxes,
• Develop a room-by-room system,
• Properly store your valuable belongings.

Follow these simple packaging and relocation hacks and guidelines, and you will manage to finalize this stage easily.

Protect Your Belongings

When switching to a new home, you should do everything in your power to pack and store your possessions carefully and prevent breakage. From the relocation essentials to the living room decoration – every belonging must have a good package and a selected place. Your furniture, kitchen items, and your bed are the most important and challenging stuff that requires some extra attention.

How to Pack Furniture

If you want to keep your furniture safe from any damage, you must wrap it properly. The best way to preserve it is to wrap some blankets around it. And if you feel like trying to DIY everything, here are a few suggestions:

• Plan thoroughly and prioritize,
• Get the necessary tools and equipment (gloves, sliders, dollies, straps, blankets, packing paper,)
• Dissemble it carefully,
• Watch your back and keep your balance.

Lifting, sliding, and transporting furniture by yourself is tricky. Still, if you’re low on cash (or just up for a challenge,) you could give it a try. Nevertheless, hiring professional cross-country movers is always a better idea. Just be sure to pick the most reliable ones.

Protecting Your Kitchen Items

Every kitchen is filled with different fragile and oddly-shaped objects. When it comes to this area, the most demanding and time-consuming part is reviewing all cabinets and drawers and then determining which glasses should be packed and which ones you should toss. Then you’ll go through the same when choosing your dishes, pots and pans, cups and mugs, and more. You get the picture – decluttering is sometimes hard. Still, what comes next also demands your undivided attention and some skillfulness. Here’s how you should treat the fragile objects you choose to bring with you.

Firstly, you must get enough packaging supplies:

• Strengthen the bottom of every box with tape,
• Use packing paper or newsprint to additionally secure the boxes,
• Get some bubble wrap.

Now that you have all you need, you should carefully wrap and box each dish. Be extra cautious with the plates. They should always be placed towards the edge of the box. This way, you’ll less likely suffer breakage during the transport.

Protecting Your Bed

When you arrive at your new home, you’ll be up for a nice rest. If you enjoy these sorts of things to do after the relocation, you will want a clean and intact mattress. Your bed should be in perfect condition upon your arrival. If you’re taking charge of packaging yourself it yourself, make sure to do your homework:

• Get a correct size mattress bag and some tape,
• Place your bed vertically against the wall to access the mattress easier,
• Once you package it into its bag, make sure it’s placed all the way in the back of the carrier,
• Press the leftover of your bag material on the side and fold it over the side of the mattress,
• Use the extra tape to seal the opening.

If you’re buying a brand-new mattress, check this video:

Pack Your Clothes

This task comes after you’ve done all the necessary work around your kitchen, bedroom, basement, garage, and storage areas. When you get on with it, be sure to box up the off-season clothing first. Also, the principal rule of relocation applies here – wash and fold every piece of clothing carefully, then put them into separate, properly labeled boxes. Additional tips include:

• Using a vacuum and compression bags,
• Keeping similar clothes together,
• Getting a clothing rack.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Move Long Distance?

There are multiple ways to save a few bucks and relocate safely. Some of the ideas you can put to use involve:

• Selling some of your stuff,
• Finding free supplies, boxes, and other materials,
• Choosing a relocation date carefully,
• Comparing companies and quotes,
• Renting a moving truck,
• Shipping your belongings.

Donate Unwanted Large Items

Donating massive objects you no longer want in your house can also help you cut some costs. The full relocation expenses vary depending on different factors. One of the most important parameters is the weight of your stuff. Some heavy furniture and unused sports equipment will only require additional storage space and complicate your move. Giving them away is often a smart choice.

Invite Your Friends and Family to Help You

Even when you’re relocating alone, there are friends, peers, and relatives who’d love to help you out. And you mustn’t hesitate to contact them, especially if you chose to relocate without any professional assistance. Although this approach has some substantial benefits, time-management is one of the main challenges. Working around other peoples’ schedules can be a bit of a problem. Also, since some heavy-lifting is implied, you will have to go the extra mile to educate yourself (and your crew) regarding the proper techniques.

How Do I Make Long-Distance Move Easier?

Easing the whole process isn’t only about the actionable tips in regards to boxes, papers, decluttering, and checklists. You must also look for ways to embrace the change and jumpstart your new life properly. Firstly, you must give yourself some time to process everything and adjust to the brand-new environment. Not rushing yourself into anything is always crucial. If there are some major differences you have to grasp and adopt, such as different time zones, climate changes, or a different culture, try to relax and take it all in gradually.

Relocate Off-Season

The date of relocation plays a tremendous role. It can add to the final price if you don’t choose wisely. Also, some seasons are simply more acceptable and comfortable than others. According to several surveys, July and August are the most popular months for people to relocate. Spring and summer are unquestionably more suitable but also busier than winter relocation.

Follow These Proven Long Distance Moving Tips

Planning ahead, packing on time, and making sure that you’ve brought all the essentials are the vital steps toward a successful relocation. In addition to it, you’re going to need the best cross-country moving services. Calculate your budget, prepare your equipment, and start your search. If you start getting ready two months in advance, there will be no issues and stress.