Moving long distance is one of the biggest challenges that life can throw at you. The good news is that these days there is plenty of help . Professional movers can guide you through the moving process step-by-step. They can also handle all the heavy lifting.
But even if you have professional movers working with you, you’ll need to take certain steps to make the move go smoothly. Read the following eight ideas that can keep you on the right track as you prepare for your moving day.
Make a Plan
This is where you start. And you need to start pretty much as soon as you know you are moving. There are many things to remember when making a move – too many to keep in your head! Start early by writing down a list of everything that needs to be done, which is going to include everything on this list. Here are a few things people often forget:
- Get mail forwarded to a new address.
- Turn on all utilities where you are moving in advance (and turn off your current utilities).
- Send out your new address information to all your friends and family.
- Make sure your new house/apartment is ready for move in on your scheduled day to arrive (you’ll want to double and even triple check this).
Research Movers
This is the second most important thing after creating an airtight plan. A mover can make or break a long-distance move. The wrong mover can add stress to an already stressful time. Take the time to look at different movers online. Ask friends for their positive experiences. Look at online reviews. You want movers with a good reputation and years of experience. They also need to have all the proper licensing to do a long distance move.
Get An In-Home Moving Estimate
You want to hire a mover who will come to your home and assess the size of the move. You don’t want a mover who just makes an estimate based on a phone call. A free estimate and price, both of which are offered by Good Greek Moving & Storage, also helps with planning ahead for how to pay for your move.
Planning Your Expenses
In addition to an accurate in-home estimate, you also want to consider all the other costs associated with a move. That includes gas for your vehicle, storage if needed, paying to turn on utilities and buying food and lodging while on the road. Another financial aspect to consider is moving during the off-season, when prices might be lower. The prime moving season is late spring and early summer.
Downsize Your Stuff
So hard. But so worthwhile. Taking the time to go room to room and get rid of items you no longer need is difficult, but you will thank yourself later. The best place to start is by creating an inventory of what you have. Then, together with everyone else in the house, you can determine what you do or do not need. What you don’t need, you can donate. Or, you can hold a yard sale and make some money to help cut down on the cost of the move.
Pack and Label
This is another area where a professional moving company can provide a big help by offering packing services. Or, if you want to pack yourself, the moving company should offer all the material you will need to do the packing correctly. Make sure to pack everything safely and to clearly label where each box is going. You’ll want a variety of box sizes, as well as packing tape. Keep in mind that heavier items should go in smaller boxes.
Update All Documents
You’re going to want to register your car in your new state so you can get a license plate with your new location (always a fun moment). Most states also require that you get your driver’s license transferred to your new state. Yes, that’s probably going to require a trip to the DMV! You’ll want to block a big chunk of your day out for that trip.
Get Insurance
A licensed mover will offer basic coverage that pays a set amount if something is damaged, typically calculated by the size of the item. But you may want to purchase third-party insurance for their belongings, especially since it is a long-distance move.
These are some of the tips to keep in mind as you prepare for a long distance move. It’s going to be one of the biggest events of your life. It’s also going to go a lot smoother with plenty of planning and professional mover on your side.
Are you planning an out of state move? Call (561) 683-1313 to speak with a relocation specialist today.
