10 Points to Consider When Making Your First Long-Distance Move

Moving great distances, whether for a career change or a change of pace, is far easier in principle than in fact. Choosing a moving company, planning the move, shipping, and getting your belongings should all be simple in principle. 

In fact, there are more moving components and logistics to consider to ensure a smooth transition. 

Continue reading for 10 helpful hints from Available Movers & Storage on how to make your long-distance move a breeze from start to finish.

• Prepare ahead of time

When it comes to moving interstate or over large distances, there are a lot of moving parts. A “long-distance” move is usually defined as one that spans more than 450 miles between origin and destination. “Mid-distance” moves are those that fall below this threshold yet are not within the same city or state.

Regardless of the technicalities, preparation for your move will make the process go much more smoothly. Calling utility companies and changing your address with the DMV and the USPS are all vital but sometimes ignored. Take it from us: you’re going to need a hot shower after relocating your belongings into a new home. The decision to switch on your hot water has never seemed more worthwhile.

• Maintain a regular schedule.

Now that you’ve made a plan, it’s time to stick to it. Utility installation and school registration are time-sensitive tasks, so you don’t want to be racing at the last minute to do everything. To avoid forgetting what you need to accomplish and when block off time on your calendar for moving-related tasks or set up phone reminders. 

If at all possible, avoid hiring a moving company during peak hours, since space in their vehicles will be more expensive. It is preferable to avoid moving during the warmer months (May through August). You can save hundreds of dollars on your move just by doing this.

• Employ the Services of Experts

As soon as you have a strategy in place, get quotes from multiple moving companies. Examine the insurance alternatives available and make sure you understand everything covered in each quote. 

Most moving firms only provide a basic policy, which you need to augment with additional coverage. If you need auto movers or pet moving services, be sure to call for separate quotations. Here you can hire available movers, they are a long-distance moving company in Bronx NY

Though cost is a crucial consideration, keep in mind that the cheapest option isn’t always the best. When you’re trying to relocate thousands of miles away, you don’t want to get caught in a moving scam.

• Write down your inventory list.

The cross-country movers in charge of your long-distance move in the Bronx will want to know how many things you have. Making a list of everything you own is the only way to properly know how much you have. 

An inventory list will not only help you get accurate price estimates from movers, but it will also help you stay organized when preparing for your move and keep track of your belongings as they travel great distances. 

You won’t have to worry about whether or not something arrived safely if you check it off at both the origin and destination. When moving in, your home inventory lists also serve as a master list. It will simplify the task of double-checking that all of your things arrive safely.

• For your long haul pack your belongings.

Items will be handled by many teams of workers and transported on a truck across a vast distance and over a lengthy period of time during a long-distance or cross-country transfer. Make sure that everything inside the box is appropriately cushioned.

To preserve fragile goods, several moving hacks include utilizing bubble wrap (or old bedsheets/curtains/towels). Ensure that each package is completely packed and that nothing is loose. Containers inside boxes should be well sealed, as your boxes may be flipped on their side or even upside down.

This also means that you’ll need to invest in high-quality moving boxes rather than reusing gas station boxes or other low-quality options. If you wouldn’t pack something a certain manner for long-term storage, don’t pack it the same way for a long-distance relocation. 

Inquire about packing and unpacking services with full-service movers or cross-country movers in your region if you need assistance.

• Insurance for Moving

Moving “insurance,” sometimes known as “valuation coverage,” can come from two sources in the moving industry. Some homeowner’s insurance policies include coverage for relocating expenses.

They may, however, only cover damage to your home during the transfer, not harm to your belongings.

 

Moving companies are required by law to provide basic valuation coverage at a rate of 60 cents per pound. This can be a problem if something breaks during the relocation, such as a flat-screen TV. 

For a fee, most companies provide more comprehensive coverage. Extended valuation coverage is highly suggested if you’re transferring any valuable items or items that are very fragile/hold sentimental worth.

• Do not bring liquid or food with you

Even non-perishable food is vulnerable to being crushed, discolored, spoiled, or, worse, attracting vermin. Unwanted stowaways (both furry and creepy crawly) will be drawn to your shipment by food. 

Don’t bring any food with you (or anything perishable). Similarly, even well-sealed liquid containers might be jolted open, causing undesired seepage on all of your stuff.

Long-distance moves not only put your goods at risk of being wet; other people’s belongings are on the same truck as yours, and your liquids could end up on theirs as well. We’ve seen this happen in the past with improperly sealed paint cans and oil bottles. 

In some circumstances, transporting liquids with long-distance movers isn’t a big deal, but it’s nearly never worth the risk

• Decluttering and Downsizing

Moving is an excellent opportunity to conduct some spring cleaning, whether you’re moving into a larger space or downsizing. 

You may discover items that you never use or have simply forgotten about while taking inventory. The actual question here is whether these objects are worth selling, donating, or simply being thrown away.

If you’re downsizing, just because something would fit doesn’t mean you should pack it along with the rest of your belongings. Don’t overcrowd your living room or bedroom(s) with furnishings. When relocating from a house or townhouse to an apartment, this is very crucial. 

You’ll want to make the most of your available space. This may entail purchasing slimmer furniture or multi-purpose furniture with storage. Here selling or donating would be the perfect step.

• Work out your move-in conditions.

You’ll need to plan a few things for the day your items are unloaded from the truck and delivered to your new house. The items will most likely be transported in a huge tractor-trailer for long-distance travel. 

You may be charged a shuttle service fee if the roads leading to your new house are not tractor-trailer accessible. A shuttle is a smaller truck (similar to the one that picked up your belongings), and the mover will load your belongings into it for final delivery. 

Shuttle service is subject to additional charges, which include the rental of a shuttle truck as well as the manpower required to load it. Your delivery may be delayed if your tractor-trailer encounters unforeseen access challenges.

• Make safety a top priority.

Moving during a pandemic will almost certainly come with its own set of rules and will necessitate the use of personal protective equipment both in the packing process and while traveling.

Make sure the entire family has masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer, and familiarise yourself with any guidelines offered by your movers, hotels, or airlines. Finally, go over any restrictions on what you can and cannot bring with you.