If you are about to embark on the greatest move of your life, taking the time to carefully plan your cross-country move will help you avoid problems along the road. When planning your move, you must consider the distinctions between a local move and a long-distance move. Use these pointers from the skilled professionals at Dream Moving! Whether you’re preparing to move across the country for the first time or are a seasoned pro.
1. Properly Insure Your Possessions
When your belongings are loaded and unloaded by several crews while traveling thousands of miles in the back of a truck, a lot can happen to them. Moving cross country is a high-risk industry. According to data from the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), up to 20% of moves result in claims. Or “more than 80% of all transfers have no claim filed.”
Get the right insurance and be prepared for the worst. Basic moving valuation limits a mover’s obligation under Federal law to just $.60 per pound. Choose whether to buy full-value coverage or stick with basic coverage well in advance of your move.
Note the deductibles and the scope of the coverage you’re receiving. If you’re not sure which is best for you, your moving company can explain the distinctions between the coverages so you can make a more informed choice. One that will help you avoid a financial catastrophe after your pricey long-distance relocation.
2. Examine Patio Furniture
You must look for indications of an insect or larval infestation on your outdoor furniture and any other items you think might be a problem. To avoid moving toxins across state lines, there are specific moving regulations for furniture. More details on these laws and how to get rid of pests like moths, larvae, and other vermin are accessible in government booklets.
3. Make a List of Your Inventory
Your long-distance movers will need to know how many things you have. Making a list of everything you own is the only way to properly know how much of it you have. Along with helping you acquire accurate quotes from movers, an inventory sheet will keep you organized while preparing for your move. And enable you to track your belongings as they travel a long distance.
You won’t be concerned about whether or not stuff arrived safely if you cross things off at both the starting point and the ending point!
4. Cut Costs by Eliminating Unnecessary Items
Before a major move, decluttering and downsizing can be extremely relieving and help you save money on moving costs. It will cost you less if you bring less luggage across the nation.
Donating, selling, and throwing are the three best methods for getting rid of goods. Books, CDs, DVDs, video games, and other media items are simple to donate. Or even sell because they are mass-produced and one size fits all.
Charities in cold-weather cities have a great need for blankets and winter clothing. Cheap, large pieces of furniture are frequently not worth the effort required to move them, and these can frequently be donated instead. Try selling furniture and other important stuff on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to avoid difficulty. Additionally, to lessen your burden before relocating across the country, think about holding a garage sale!
5. Prepare Your Possessions for the Long Haul
The objects involved in a long-distance or cross-country transfer will be handled by several teams of personnel and transported in a truck across a considerable distance. And over a protracted period.
Make sure to pack everything in the box with plenty of padding. One moving tip is to cover fragile items in bubble wrap or old bedsheets, curtains, or towels. Make an effort to ensure that nothing is loose and that each box is packed completely. Given the possibility of your boxes being flipped on their side or even upside down at some point, containers inside of boxes should be well secured.
Additionally, this implies that you should purchase premium moving boxes. Rather than reusing boxes from gas stations or choosing another inferior option. Don’t pack for a long-distance move the same way you wouldn’t for long-term storage. Ask full-service movers or cross-country movers in your area about their packing and unpacking services if you’d like some expert assistance.
6. Box Up Your Mattress
Somehow, it can be distorted, hurt, or otherwise tarnished or dirty. The risk of leaving your mattress outside of a box increases when it is handled by several separate moving teams. If you are having problems getting the mattress into the box, professional movers can assist you.
7. Bring the Necessities You’ll Need When You Get There
Keep personal papers with you, including your birth certificate, passport, social security card, and driver’s license.
Do not pack any documents that you will need before your shipment crosses the country! Such as recent bank statements, tax returns, and/or pay stubs. You won’t need these personal documents when you start looking for a job or when you move into your new home. And you’ll need some clothes, sleeping arrangements, hygiene products, and a few other things to keep yourself sane while you wait for the moving truck to arrive. Therefore, don’t pack anything you’ll need once you move into your new home before your shipment arrives.
8. Ready Yourself for Anything
Moving carries a lot of risks. Particularly if you want to make the move as inexpensively as possible. If you don’t read the fine print, the least expensive method of moving can turn out to be the most expensive.
Depending on your level of organization, the cost of shifting can vary. To ensure you are receiving the greatest cost, make sure to request free quotations from many moving firms and truck rentals. As flight costs increase as moving day approaches, be careful to reserve flights to your new destination well in advance.
Find out about late costs for moving truck rental pick-up and drop-off if you decide to go the DIY route. In the same line, don’t wait until the last minute to find out about the insurance policies of the professional moving company you plan to hire. Be mindful of any extra costs that can accrue during the transfer as a result of traffic, detours, and parking tickets. Organize yourself and good luck!
