Preparing for Long Distance Move

Moving, in general, is a very stressful task; it is even more challenging when you have to move a long distance out of state. When moving long distances, the key to a successful move is to plan ahead. You want to give yourself at least a month and a half (two months would be ideal) to get things together before moving day arrives. The first few days of those two months should be spent trying to locate a long-distance mover.

Experts would tell you that you should select at least five or six prospective movers before narrowing them to just two that you can work with and compare prices and services.

Most of the time, word of mouth is the ideal way to find a long-distance moving company. You can source numbers of long-distance moving companies from your friends, families, and work acquaintance. Their feedback about the company would go a long distance for you and would be part of the deciding factor.

Research about a specific company can also help you determine if they are as good as they say they are. The reviews and testimonials about the company from previous clients would be enough indication if you should visit their office or move along to the next long-distance mover.

Those companies that you visit in person would usually display their proof of legitimacy with an array of certificates on the wall or you would see their business license as well. However, you can still go that extra mile by checking up on the company through the Better Business Bureau.

Once comfortable with the moving company and their rates, one of the first things you should do after setting a moving date is to get rid of the excess stuff you may have to lie around the house. You can choose to either throw them away or put them in the hands of friends and relatives if they are in good condition. Since moving is costly, you may also want to consider selling off some of your stuff through a garage sale in order to recover your money. Once you have gotten rid of the clutter, the next thing to do would be to make a list of all the items that you now have in your home that you intend to take to your new home.

Next, make a list of the items that you are moving with before you start packing them in containers, boxes, etc. Experts would advise that you pack room by room and well ahead in advance to avoid the rush. Use strong boxes; you can get them free at your neighborhood grocery store, and remember to bolster your breakables with bubble wrap or even with newspapers. As you pack, remember that you should not exceed 50 pounds per box; don’t forget to seal and label your boxes as well.

If you are moving with jewelry, documents, and other personal effects, the best thing to do is to personally take them with you to avoid them being misplaced when you get to the new home. You should also travel with medications, which should be stored in leak-proof containers.

Finally, a week before moving day, inform the utility cable and phone companies about your move so that you would no longer incur charges when you move. Depending on the state that you live in, you may be able to transfer your service using the same provider; other times you have to create a new account with a competing company. Either way, ensure that the basic essentials such as lights, water, and heat are functioning before you move in.