Making a cross country move is no easy feat. From having to pack up your entire household and coordinating all of the logistics of your move to settling into your new home, there are many necessary steps that you need to take when it comes to planning and executing your long-distance move. Here are some of our top cross country moving tips to help make the process easier.
1. Start planning early
When you are moving thousands of miles away, it is a major endeavor that needs a plan ASAP! Not only do you have an endless number of things to do, but timing is also essential. Therefore, make sure to start a moving plan and checklist as soon as you are sure you are making a cross country move. Whether you choose to use a spreadsheet, a calendar, a planner, a notebook, or some other method, start to develop your plan right away.
2. Stay on schedule
As we just mentioned, many tasks are time-sensitive, so it is important to stay on track — schedule time slots on your calendar for working on moving-related tasks.
3. Obtain multiple moving quotes
You must find a reputable and affordable mover when you are moving across the country. Make sure you get a minimum of three estimates from different moving companies. The earlier you do this, the better. It will help tremendously with planning and estimating the cost to move across the country.
4. Hire a reputable and experienced moving company
After you receive your quotes, compare the prices and other details. Don’t just hire the cheapest mover. Take into account their experience, customer reviews, and other factors. Remember, they are transporting most of your belongings across the country, so you need to find a reputable mover.
5. Buy moving insurance
Consult with your insurance agent before you move to see what is covered by your home and car insurance when it comes to moving. Also, although moving companies normally offer limited insurance policies, you may be better off buying more comprehensive moving insurance, especially if you have a lot of valuable or expensive belongings.
6. Create an inventory list
With a long-distance move, your belongings could become potentially spread out across various states. So that is very, it is critical to take inventory of all of your personal belongings before you move. You can use a notebook, an app on your phone, or some other method. The important thing is to ensure that you create a comprehensive list of all of your belongings. That way, you won’t need to worry about figuring out if all of your things got to your new house. You can check things off of your inventory list.
7. Figure out where your furniture and other large items are going to fit in your new house
The last thing you want to do is move a king-sized bed or enormous bookcase clear across the country, only to discover it doesn’t fit in your new place. Try to determine where the big items are going to go and whether it is worth the cost to move large, heavy items.
8. Downsize as much as possible
Remember that the more stuff you take with you, the more will be the cost to move across the country. Now is the best time to downsize and get rid of unwanted and seldom-used items. Get rid of books you don’t plan to read again, kitchen appliances you never use, and clothes you haven’t worn for several months or years. You can donate items, have a garage sale, and throw things out. Don’t pay to move your clutter.
9. Determine ahead of time which items you will be taking with you
Of course, you will want to pack clothes, toiletries, and other necessities. You may also want to have things for your first few weeks like bedding, bowels, and a few kitchen items.
10. Pack well
You aren’t simply moving across town. When you are moving cross country, you need to be sure that your belongings are packed well. Delicate and Fragile items should be wrapped in bubble wrap or paper and keep them together and label the boxes fragile.
11. Pack by Room
It will be much easier to unpack, find things, and get your new house organized if you pack your belongings room-by-room instead of just tossing things in boxes randomly. Label your boxes according to the room they go in and also give each one a number and add it to your inventory list. Also, be sure to add your name to all of your boxes, so they don’t get mixed up with anyone else’s belongings.
12. Hire professional packers
If you are short on time, you might want to have the professionals handle it. Packing up an entire household can be an overwhelming and very time-consuming job.
13. Moving during the off-season
The summer tends to be the most expensive time of year for hiring a moving company. You will save a lot of money if you can move during another time of year. You will also save money if you move during the middle of the month or on a weekday.
14. Make your travel arrangements ahead of time
This includes hotel reservations, airplane tickets, and more. When you book in advance, you can often save money.
15. Unpack and examine your belongings
When you are unpacking, check things off your inventory list and carefully examine your items to make sure they are not damaged, especially valuable and large items like china, antiques, and furniture. If any items were broken or damaged while in transit, you might be able to file a claim and be compensated for your losses.
A cross country move can seem overwhelming. But if you break it down into smaller, manageable steps and follow the tips in this article, your move can be much less stressful and more manageable as you make your big move across the country.
