Home movers can equally get excited and feel dread when it’s time for a long-distance move. It can seem like an exciting adventure – new home, new job, new friends – but it can also quite possibly leave you feeling panicked and uncertain. Whether moving out of state or to another country, there’s a lot to think about and do. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a stressful undertaking when you get the help of professional home movers.

Long Distance Moving Tips

There are a lot of steps in planning and executing a long-distance move, which means you will need more time than you would if you were moving within the same state you live in now.

Start Early

Long-distance home moving requires a specialized professional moving company that is properly licensed and has the personnel, skills and equipment necessary to move you across borders. It is recommended you begin at least 3 months in advance of your planned moving date. If you are moving across an international border, you should start planning even earlier.

Begin by researching moving companies in your area, then contact at least three of them for moving quotes. Well-established local home movers can be the better option due to their experience and resources.

Make sure you plan enough time for moving. Scheduling with the home movers early gives you more options for choosing the dates and times you need. They will also be able to advise you about any paperwork or special permits you may need; in particular, if you’ll be moving across an international border. Some states also have specific rules for shipping across their borders. 

Create a Budget

Planning a budget will help you plan an affordable move and keep costs from getting out of control. A long distance move will be more costly than a local move. In addition to the cost of the home movers, there are travel costs to consider (lodging, meals, and fuel).

Home Movers Checklist

Using a checklist can streamline packing every room in your home. It helps to stay organized and on task, getting things done in an efficient, timely manner. Additionally, keeping a binder that has pockets for storing receipts, the professional home movers contract and other important documents pertaining to your move is a good idea.

Packing and Purging

A money-saving strategy to help control the cost of professional home movers is to downsize before you begin packing. Most of the cost is based on the weight of your possessions. So before packing, sort through your belongings and decide what to keep and what to sell or donate. Start with items that you have no emotional attachment to. Items such as photos and family keepsakes can make the process take much longer.

Other Helpful Packing Tips

Pack Smart 

Long-distance moving requires extra careful packing. You will need sturdy boxes and cartons, bubble wrap and furniture pads and more. Your professional home movers will have everything you need for safe, careful transport of your belongings. Many moving companies will do the packing for you. It’s a slight extra charge but can be well worth it by ensuring your property is protected from damage during transit.

Labeling 

Whether you’re doing the packing or the home movers are doing it for you, label each container with your name and cell phone number and the room the box belongs in (eg kitchen, bathroom, baby’s room, etc). This makes the unloading process faster and easier for your movers and also makes it easy to find things when you arrive at your new home.

First-Day Items 

Pack a few items that you will need to access quickly, like clothing, basic kitchen items, and toiletries, labeling the boxes “First Day.” Doing this can make move-in day much less stressful when you don’t have to scramble and rummage through numerous boxes to find things you need right away.

Insurance

We don’t like to think about it, but accidents can happen that could damage your things. Statistics have shown that nearly 80 percent of home movers don’t buy additional insurance for their property. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), moving companies are only liable for $0.60 per pound of insurance when the move is from one state to another. When you have many valuable items that are irreplaceable or very expensive, this won’t cover the cost of replacing many of your possessions. Check with your home movers company to find out what insurance options they offer.

These are just basic suggestions for ensuring a smooth, problem-free long-distance home moving experience. We at Superior Moving & Storage will happily answer all your questions and address any concerns you may have. We have a well-maintained fleet of trucks and all the equipment required. Our team of professionals is licensed and bonded and have experience and training to pack everything in your home and move it wherever you’re going to.

Superior Moving & Storage has been a long distance mover and trusted agent of Wheaton Van Lines since 1946. Wheaton is one of the only carriers that have the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. 

For a no cost, no obligation estimate fill out the Quick Quote form on our website and one of our Customer Service Representatives will contact you promptly.

 

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