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20 Tips To Make Your Cross-Country Move Less Stressful
07-12-2022 | Armbruster

20 Tips To Make Your Cross-Country Move Less Stressful

Preparing for a move across the country is a big undertaking and can be pretty stressful for you and your family. However, knowing your cross-country moving options can help you prepare for the long journey ahead. Read on to learn our tips about the dos and don’ts of long-distance moving.

Cross-Country Moving Tips

Consider the following cross-country moving options as you prepare for a challenging endeavor.
  • Use a Checklist
You’ll be sorting through many items and personal belongings as you move to a new residence. Apart from that, you need to make travel arrangements, change your home address, get a new driver’s license and prepare your pet for the move if you have one. A checklist will help ensure you have all bases covered. With a thorough list, you can ensure the transition to your new home goes smoothly, leaving nothing behind.
  • Make All Travel Arrangements in Advance
Never plan your travelling itinerary at the last minute. Make sure to have all arrangements are scheduled and booked in advance. Cover every detail from plane tickets or mapping out your road trip to hotel reservations to the dropping off of your belongings at your new home.
  • Reduce Transport Load
Parting with some of your belongings can be difficult, especially if those items hold significant sentimental value. However, you can get rid of certain things you don’t need to bring with you when you move. Go over your belongings and categorize each one into different categories: things to keep, things to donate and things to sell. You can give away food and other perishable items that might spoil along the way as your belongings get transported cross-country. Sell items that you can easily replace when you get to your new home. You can opt to sell them online or through a yard sale. In addition, you can sell them through online marketplaces or through consignment stores. The money you will make selling them can help fund your move to a new home and reduce costs.
  • Compare Quotes from Different Moving Companies
The cost of moving your belongings will vary depending on the moving company. Some may offer a more competitive price while others can provide exceptional services. Obtain quotes from different movers and make a price comparison. Don’t choose a service by price alone. Instead, consider the valuable service you can get for the money you’re paying. For instance, a moving company can offer to store your belongings for a small fee while you can’t yet afford to move heavy or expensive items for the time being.  It can save you money in the long term while ensuring the safety of your precious belongings.
  • Pack Your Belongings Strategically
Pack your belongings in an organized manner, making it easier to unpack your things later when you arrive at your new home. For example, you can manage things by boxing up your belongings by room. After that, label every box from that room using color-coded tape. All the stuff from the kitchen should be placed in boxes with yellow tape. The ones from the kids’ rooms should be wrapped in green tape. You can also use a Sharpie to label each box, so you’ll know what’s inside them. Place labels on electronics as well. For instance, place all wires and cables for your computer in a separate box, tape it up and label them appropriately. Finally, take extra precautions when packing dishes and other breakable items. Wrap each item using newspapers and packing wraps and place paper plates between them if possible. Place all fragile items in the same box and stack them on their sides, creating a buffer within the available space.
  • Let The Professionals Pack Your Items
If you have too many things to pack with very little time to get it all done, it would be best to leave it to the professionals. They can organize your items for you, ready to go quickly and efficiently. In addition, hiring professionals gives you more time to make travel preparations, spend time with friends and family and enjoy your remaining days in your current neighborhood before moving to a new place.
  • Document The Condition of Your Belongings
You need to ensure that all your items remain protected during your move. However, if any untoward incident occurs, you should have proper documentation recording the condition of your belongings before they are delivered to your new home. Photos and notes about the condition of your belongings will go a long way. They can serve as evidence if certain damage is pre-existing or if something was damaged during the move.
  • Purchase a Moving Insurance
It’s essential to purchase moving insurance, which is one of the crucial cross-country moving options. Even if the moving company packs your belongings as best as it can be done, accidents can happen even with the best preparations in place. Full coverage insurance has your belongings covered beyond the bare minimum. With this type of insurance, the moving company will be fully liable for the items that get damaged during transportation. This coverage means you will get paid for the total value of the broken items.

  • Change All Utility Bills in Your Name

A week or two before moving to your new home, call the utility company for that residence and tell them to put the utility bills in your name. Let the companies know when you’re moving in, which should be the day they should start billing you. In addition, you should also contact your current utility companies. Inform these firms that you’re moving out and that they should disconnect your utilities the following day.

  • Get All Essential Contact Details

Aside from the moving company’s phone number, you should get the driver’s contact details if possible. It can take more than a week for the company to deliver your belongings during a cross-country move, so make sure to get updates from time to time. In most cases, a company representative can contact the driver on your behalf and track the delivery status for you.

  • Bring a Moving Day Essentials Bag

Assemble an essentials bag a few days before your move. This bag should contain all travel essentials like essential papers and documents. Include medications, toiletries, baby essentials, clothing, paper towels, extra shoes, wallets, bottled water, pet food, etc.

  • Pack Your Valuables

Don’t forget to pack your valuables, preferably in a separate container. These valuables include family heirlooms, jewelry and other high-value items. Valuables should be stored in a secure container to keep them safe during transportation.

  • Create an Unpacking Plan

Plan how you will unpack your belongings when they arrive at your new residence. You can start with your essentials since you’ll need food, medicine and other important items to help you get settled. Next, you can unpack your bed and kitchen items so you can at least rest and relax after a long trip.  You don’t need to unpack everything the day you arrive. However, it can take several days to unpack and organize your things in your new home.

  •  Check Items for Signs of Damage

It’s crucial to inspect your belongings for any signs of damage. Make sure to carefully examine fine china, furniture, antiques and other breakable items. If you record these items and took pictures, they will be a big help during this process. Any damage to your goods should be billed to your moving company.

  • Unpack and Settle In

If you feel that your movers did an excellent job packing, transporting and securing your belongings, it will be good to give them a tip. After that, it’s time to unpack your belongings and get settled in. Explore the new neighborhood and introduce yourself to your new neighbors. Additionally, head to your new DMV and get all the paperwork done to transfer your driver’s license to your new address.

Things To Avoid During a Cross-Country Move

Here are some of the things to avoid during a cross-country move:
  • Packing Unnecessary Items
Items like bathroom items, old clothing, old furniture, garage junk, old appliances, some furniture, beddings and certain household items are better sold or given away to charity. Compute the cost of moving them versus buying a new one. If the cost and convenience of purchasing a replacement are more favorable, then don’t pack those items.
  • Not Vetting a Moving Company
Fair warning: there are unscrupulous moving companies that scam their customers. It is best to vet your movers and check their BBB ratings before signing up for their services.
  • Not Preparing Your New Home in Time
It will take several days before your movers can deliver your belongings to your new residence. Use that time to prepare the home, do some cleaning and decide where each item goes.
  • Forgetting the Utilities
You’ll need the water, lights, internet and gas running in your new home before your furniture and other belongings arrive. Make sure that the utilities are already transferred in your name and that they’re ready to use.
  • Ignoring Pets and Packing Items
Your furry friends are just as stressed as you are when you move to a new home. Help them get settled. Additionally, don’t throw away packing items since they can be recycled or repurposed. Are you planning a cross-country move? You can prepare for it two months in advance using our moving planner. You can also contact our experts today for more tips and advice or schedule a virtual home survey to get an accurate estimate.
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