Jul
05
How To Prepare For A Long Distance Move

Preview

No matter where you're moving to, a long distance move is an enormous undertaking. Moving down the street or in the same city is stressful enough, but moving across the country can be terrifying.

When expenses start popping up, you may be wondering if there's anything you can do to make your move easier.
You're in luck. There are tons of tips out there to help you prepare for the best of them. We're here with 10 of the most helpful.

How to prepare for a long distance move


Estimate a budget

The very first thing you should do when planning a long distance move is to estimate your budget.

Luckily, this isn't a very difficult task. Some movers can give you a quote depending on how many rooms are in your home. Others depend on weight, which is a bit trickier to determine.

You also need to factor in travel expenses, whether you're flying or driving to your new home. Make sure to account for food and gas, and include a margin of error.

Moving is risky, and life has a habit of happening, so you want to make sure you have enough money set aside to get you to your new home without crisis.

Ask around

While you're probably quite eager to find the right mover for you, don't agree to the first quote you get! Remember: you've still got some time before your long distance move - hopefully! This means you've got time to do some investigation into the best options for you.

Before signing a contract with a mover, be sure to ask around. Your friends and family may have some connections to help you out. If not, they can at least recommend a company to you.

Pack properly

Before you start tossing things into the truck, be sure that you know your movers' regulations for your long distance move. This means you need to be aware of what can and cannot be put on the truck.

Additionally, make sure you label your boxes properly. Nothing's worse than unloading a truck full of boxes and having no idea where they go.

A helpful system is to label your boxes with your name, the contents of each, and what room it goes in. You'll still have to unpack it, but the guesswork will be taken care of.

Get insurance

While you're at it, make sure you get insurance for your belongings before you set off on your long distance move.
You're presumably driving hundreds, if not thousands of miles to your new home. That's a lot of time for things to go awry, so you want to be prepared.

While you can guarantee that your movers will do all they can to protect your belongings, moving is still full of risks. Therefore, you should make sure you'll be compensated for any damages. Make sure you get the proper coverage for you!

Play Tetris

To make things easier on you (and your arms and back), organize your boxes strategically.

We don't mean on the truck, though that's important as well. No, we're referring to the contents of the boxes themselves.
Figure out the best ways to organize your boxes to make them easier to carry and easy to unpack. This may take some problem-solving, but once you solve the puzzle, packing will be easier than it's ever been before.

Plan for the window

Hint: We aren't talking about a literal window.

When you're undertaking a long distance move, you won't be driving right alongside the moving truck. You'll probably wind up getting to your new home earlier than the moving truck.

The movers will give you a window in which you can expect your belongings to be delivered. This can be a matter or hours, or even days - and that's not accounting for delays.

If you don't have enough clothing or other essentials (like toilet paper) to last you until the movers arrive, you're in for a world of hurt.

Anticipate the delivery window and make sure that you plan appropriately around it.

Check your new building's code

If you've purchased a new home, you may not have to worry about this one as much. However, if you're renting your home or you're moving into an apartment building, you should check with your landlord regarding any move-in codes or stipulations.

Some buildings have a protocol which needs to be followed for your move-in. You may have to reserve the elevators or make sure that the movers are on an approved guest list.

It's also important to check if there are any time restrictions that could be imposed on your move.

Make sure to clarify with your landlord, and get any and all regulations in writing, if possible.

Downsize

Let's face it: you probably have too much stuff. Even if your home doesn't seem cluttered, once you pack, you may realize you have more stuff than you bargained for.

Don't forget to downsize before your move! You can sell your things or give them away.

Fewer things for you to move means that you'll have an easier time with your long distance move!

Plan your placement

You probably have a floor plan of your new home. A great idea that can reduce the amount of stress on move-in day is to plan the placement of your furniture before the movers arrive.

Figure out where you want essentials like your dining table and couch, figure out where the best position for the TV would be, and once the movers arrive, you'll make their job so much easier.

Know the area

Before moving in, it's a good idea to know the area that you're moving to!

Taking some time to explore (online using review websites, if you can't do it in person) can go a long way to making you feel at home before you even arrive.

After you move, you'll know where the essentials are, like the grocery store and your new favorite pizza place. You'll be a local in no time!

Conclusion

No matter how well you prepare for your move, you're going to encounter stress. The best thing you can do is prepare yourself for it. When you're in a motivated mindset, you can conquer anything.

Additionally, making sure these easy tips are taken care of is a great way to abate any moving anxiety you have. Make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible with these. Stop stressing and enjoy the journey!

Add-Facility-Adds

Recent Posts

  • Preview
    Savoring the Mosaic of Cultures: A Culinary Exploration of Los Angeles February 26, 2024
  • Preview
    Smart Storage Solutions: How IoT is Transforming the Self-Storage Industry February 19, 2024
  • Preview
    Scaling Up: Transitioning from Self-Storage to Professional eCommerce Fulfillment February 07, 2024
  • Preview
    Savor the Flavor: Exploring the Diverse Culinary Landscape of Chicago January 25, 2024
  • Preview
    Beyond the Bright Lights: Discovering the Vibrant Arts Community in Las Vegas January 15, 2024

Archives

Categories