Tips from Cross-Country Movers for Making your Relocation Easier
Moving across the city is stressful enough but hiring cross country moving companies can cause a whole other level of stress. There are some tips that can help make the process much easier.
1. Take Time to Plan You want to start planning about eight weeks before your move. This gives you time, so you aren’t scrambling to pick up things or find a truck. You can’t make multiple trips with a cross-country move, so planning is essential.
2. Figure Out Your Moving Method As you plan, figure out the best way to move your belongings. You could rent a truck and do it yourself, or you could hire a moving company to do it for you. If you hire a moving company, you will want to get multiple quotes and make sure movers are available for the dates you are moving. Hiring movers may cost a bit more upfront, but it will likely save your sanity and cost you less in the long run.
3. Get Good Boxes You want the boxes to be sturdy, so they stand up to the challenge of a cross-country move. This doesn’t mean you have to buy them; just make sure that they are up to the task of toting your belongings, whether you get them from a grocery store or another location. Don’t skimp on bubble wrap, and make sure the tape is on tight, so the box is reinforced.
4. Go Through Items Before Packing A cross-country move is the perfect time to go through and either sell, donate or throw out stuff you haven’t used in years and no longer want. There is no need to trek belongings across the country, only to throw some out when you get to your destination. By starting early, you won’t be in a rush and can use this time to pack lighter. Moving furniture across the country can be hard, since items are so heavy and bulky. You will want to decide if it’s worth it to move your furniture or get new furniture when you arrive in your new home.
5. Label Boxes If you hire movers or ship boxes ahead of time, keeping an inventory will make the unpacking process easier. When you are packing, take photos of your valuables and keep a list.
6. Keep Track of Papers With all the craziness of a move, important papers like birth certificates, insurance policies, auto registrations and more can get lost in the shuffle. Keep these papers in one place and don’t pack them. Instead, take them with you in a folder to make sure they don’t get lost.
7. Think of Children and Pets Moving with children and pets adds another layer to your cross-country move. Thinking ahead and trying to minimize stresses will help children adjust to the move. Make sure to have activities for your children to keep them busy on moving day and expect an adjustment period after you arrive. For pets, remember they have their own needs too. Ensure they are healthy for the move with a trip to the vet.