Tips For Moving Across The Country
You’re moving cross country, and you’ve got to figure out how to successfully move your life from here to there.
You may have just completed the process of closing on a house and now you need to move to stage two of the relocation process.
Well, a lot of folks have done this, and you can use their knowledge to get this right. Here are some things you need to take care of for this move.
Follow this guidance and some other moving tips and you’ll be in good shape.
Insurance Is Vital
One thing you must obtain before moving is insurance. It’s one of the most important long-distance moving tips to consider. The road is not predictable. If you’re going to hire movers, be sure to purchase enough insurance for your peace of mind.
If something happens to your things, you can at least replace them, thanks to the insurance coverage.
Pest Inspection
It’s important to do a good pest inspection of your belongings, especially outside furniture. Of course, one reason you should do this is to avoid taking pests with you. Another reason you’re doing this is that pests and insects shouldn’t leave the area.
Each state tries to ensure that pests from other regions don’t invade their territory. Look for government-provided pamphlets that discuss regulations regarding pests so that you know what to look for before you pack.
Purge Items
A great piece of moving advice is to get rid of items you no longer need or want. You should go through your belongings before you pack. Chances are there’s a lot in there you don’t need anymore, and that means you can leave those things behind. Make sure you’re honest during this process.
Don’t mistake things you need to keep versus things you’re just keeping because you spent money on them. The more you take with you, the more you’ll end up spending on moving. Donate or sell what you can and throw away what can’t be of use to anyone.
Make a List
Be sure to write down everything you’re packing. This is good for you, and it’s good for your insurance. Knowing what you’re taking should make it easier to ensure everything arrived at your new home.
It might even be a good idea to take a few pictures of your items, just to be sure nothing is damaged during the trip. This part is going to take some time, so start on the list as soon as you can.
Use Professionals
Professional packers are vital for a cross-country trip. These folks will help ensure that everything is packed safely. They’ll use proper packaging material and cushions to make sure that even the most fragile items you’re packing are secure.
Again, a long trip is unpredictable, so having cushions and fasteners, and other tools movers use to secure items is important.
It may feel like you’re doing too much, but you’ll be happy when you arrive at your new place and see all of your belongings in one piece.
Get Estimates
Don’t hire the first movers you find. It’s better to talk to a few people and get a few quotes to see who’s going to provide the best service.
Cheap isn’t always better, so make sure you pay attention to what benefits they will offer you.
It might be a good idea to check out the reviews of each company you’re considering to make sure you’re making the right decision. Be sure to check out 3rd-party reviews and not just the ones on their website.
One of the most significant mistakes when selling a home is not carefully planning out your move in advance.
Be Organized
If you hire professionals, they should organize your belongings for you, but if you don’t, you’ll have to do this yourself.
The easiest way to organize your packing is to separate everything by room. Label the boxes that go in one room so that by the time you get to your new place, you only have to place each box in the right room.
It’ll be easier for everyone to unpack if you take the time to organize your belongings. Again, it’s going to take some time, but it’ll be worth the effort.
Keep Essentials
Once you get going with your packing, it might be easy to get carried away a bit. This is something you don’t want to do because you might end up packing essential items that you’ll need to have handy.
You want to keep your social security card, birth certificate, driver’s license, and other important documents with you. These are things you might need as soon as you arrive at your new place.
You should probably pack some essential clothes, too, just in case your movers don’t get there on time.
Get Sitters
On the day you move into your new place, it would be a good idea to get some sitters. You’ll want sitters for your pets and kids.
A lot is going on during this time, and it’s best to keep young kids and pets out of the way. If your kids can help, then, of course, they should stay with you, but if you’re just going to worry about them the whole time, it’s better to have them stay with professional sitters. Things will go much smoother if you do this.
Clearing The Move-In
If you happen to be moving into an apartment or a complex, then you need to make sure you clear the move-in with the building manager. Yes, this is something you have to do beforehand to avoid any issues on the day you’re moving in.
Some building managers only allow folks to move on specific days and specific hours.
Sometimes, you have to reserve elevator use to move in. Talk to the building manager before you arrive so that everything goes smoothly.
The last thing you want is to have the movers waiting outside when they should be moving your stuff in. This will end up costing you more money. Having a successful move all boils down to being prepared in advance.
You’ve got plenty of tips to help you move cross country. It’s not going to be easy to do all of this, but if you start early enough, then you’ll be okay. Don’t delay and start your planning now. Your mind will be at peace if you do.
About the author: The above article on what to know about cross country moving was written by Nancy Zafrini. Nancy is the general manager of Oz Moving & Storage in NYC. A day-one employee of Oz, she has 25 years of experience in the moving industry. As a New Yorker, Nancy also has lots of experience dealing with small apartments and organizing.