Long distance moving tips
Don’t underestimate the work that lies ahead when preparing for a long distance move. It requires a lot more planning than a local one. Be sure to set aside enough time to properly organize the move because things may not always go according to plan. Not to mention the importance of paying close attention to all the small but very important aspects of long distance moving. While it is easy to overlook important details, we have compiled a list of our top long distance moving tips to help you get organized.
- Sort, Purge, and Floor plan
With a long distance move, the cost of your move is going to be based on the weight of the items you ship. Take the time to go through your belongings and decide what you will be taking with you, donating, or selling. This is also a good time to create a floor plan for your move. It will allow you to plan where you want your current furniture to be set up in your new home, and most importantly to see if it will fit through the doorways and staircase. A floor plan will allow you to plan ahead and locate an item that won’t fit in your new home, with adequate timing to get rid of it, if need be.
- Packing
During a long distance move, your belongings will travel for a large stretch of miles, for a long period of time. You can hire full-service movers and have them properly pack everything in professional grade boxes. You can also purchase the boxes from your movers or a supply store and do the packing yourself. Make sure that everything you pack is well cushioned and secured inside the box. Do not pack perishables and hazardous items; your movers will not move them. If you pack them without the mover’s knowledge, you alone will be responsible if unwanted damage occurs. Be advised, movers are not responsible for anything you pack on your own, even if its not perishables. Mark all of your boxes with the room they need to go to. For more on packing tips.
- Get an In-Home moving estimate
The cost of a long distance move is based on many factors, such as weight, distance, length of time and the manpower involved. Getting an in-home estimate will be especially beneficial if you are moving a large home. An in-home moving estimate is a free service provided by most reputable moving companies. Expert estimators will be sent to your location to complete an evaluation of all of your items. If you know that items you plan to move are out of view, be sure to point them. This allows them to give you an accurate price for your move and helps you get a feel for the moving company you are considering selecting.
- Insure your belongings
A lot can happen to your stuff over the course of thousands of miles between point A and point B. Although your movers will take great precautions to make sure your belongings are handled properly, things can go wrong. If nothing happens, great, but if it does, you want to have proper coverage. Under Federal law, basic moving valuation limits a mover’s liability to only $.60 per pound. If your 3lb, $300 vase breaks, you will only get $1.80 for it! Full valuation protection fully covers your items for an additional fee. With full valuation protection the mover will repair or replace any item that is damaged during the move. Determine well before your move if you want to purchase full-value coverage or stick to basic coverage.
- Be prepared for the arrival of your belongings
If the roads leading to your new home are not accessible by a large truck, you may incur a shuttle service fee. A shuttle is a smaller truck that is used to make the final delivery. Be aware of parking availability near your new home and whether the mover will require a parking permit. If you are moving to an apartment, be aware of any requirements, like reserving the elevators of a building before moving in. Contact the management of the building to learn of any possible obstacles.
- Make arrangements for your vehicle
If you won’t be driving your car to your new home, you will need a transporting service. There are several options available. The most common one is an auto shipper. They will put your car on an open-air trailer, and deliver it to your destination. If you are transporting a luxury car you might want to consider using an enclosed truck. Enclosed trailers offer better overall security. Open-air trailers will expose your car to the elements.