As soon as you know you’ll be moving, begin sorting through your belongings. Go room by room and decide what you want to keep, donate, sell or discard.
Moving to a new home can be stressful enough, but a long-distance move adds extra layers of complexity.
Proper preparation is key to ensuring your belongings arrive safely while minimizing headaches along the way.
Follow these 6 tips to set yourself up for a smooth long-distance moving services experience.
1. Start Organizing and Purging Early
This serves two critical purposes:
- It prevents you from wasting long-distance moving services costs on transporting items you don’t need or want. Movers typically charge by weight and mile.
- It gives you time to host garage sales or list items online rather than making rushed decisions later.
Aim to reduce belongings by 30-40%. This alone could save you thousands in moving costs.
2. Obtain Quotes From at Least 3 Long Distance Movers
Rates and services vary widely among long-distance moving companies. Get in-home estimates from at least 3 reputable movers, along with their USDOT license number. Factors impacting costs include:
- Mileage
- Weight/number of trucks needed
- Packing/unpacking services
- Insurance
- Time of year
Avoid peak summer moving dates if possible, as prices ratchet up significantly. Having multiple quotes lets you compare and get the best value mover for your specific relocation needs.
3. Consider Renting Your Own Moving Truck
Renting and driving a moving truck yourself often costs considerably less than a full-service mover. The downside is you must do all packing/loading yourself and drive what is essentially an oversized rig.
However, for budget-minded do-it-yourselfers comfortable tackling the logistics, renting a truck can yield huge dividends. Just be sure to compare rental costs against movers’ quotes before deciding.
4. Take Inventory Before the Packers Arrive
When using professional long-distance movers, they’ll conduct an inventory list while packing. But it pays to catalog possessions yourself ahead of time. This serves as a double-check to ensure no items get lost or overlooked.
For valuables especially, note any existing damage and take photos. This provides proof of an item’s pre-move condition should disputes arise.
5. Properly Prepare Major Appliances
Major appliances require special treatment to avoid damage en route:
- Drain water hoses/lines from washing machines to prevent leaks.
- Secure refrigerator and freezer doors shut using straps.
- Disconnect and dry gas appliance connections.
- Double-check appliance manuals for additional prep tips.
Taking these steps upfront prevents expensive appliance repairs down the road.
6. Carry Essentials Separately In Your Vehicle
Finally, when traveling alongside the movers, keep a “road trip kit” packed. This should contain immediate need items like:
- Medications
- Change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Phone/laptop chargers
- Important documents
- Snacks/drinks
Transporting essentials with you avoids frustrations if the moving truck gets delayed.
The key is being organized, thorough, and thinking ahead. Stay calm through the stresses of long-distance relocation by planning methodically. Your effort will pay off with an efficient, affordable move!
