Moving from your current home to a new one across the country is a huge feat. It involves more planning than a small move across town. As you will need more planning to complete your move, it may take months to prepare for this project. Below is an effective checklist for your upcoming cross-country move.
1. Know the Nearby Moving Companies
Research is important if you are planning to move to another part of the country. Create a list of moving companies in your area. Credible ones have their information available online. You can also ask your close friends and family members for companies they may have used in the past. Checking out car shipping companies is part of the research if you have a vehicle. It will be more practical to have a company ship your car to your new residence than drive it to the other side of the country.
Visiting your new home before your moving day is crucial too. This will give you the opportunity to measure the dimensions of your doorways. Moving the furniture and appliances inside your new house will be easier if the movers know where to enter. Make sure you choose a moving company that could cover any damaged or lost items during the move. Paying a little more can get you this type of feature and high-quality service especially if you’re dealing with the very reputable long distance movers in dallas.
2. Create Digital Files
Planning your big move mostly happens online on websites like https://zeromaxmoving.com/services/long-distance-movers-nyc/. That is why you should create a moving folder. This folder will contain the quotes, photos, and receipts. You can access this folder at any time. These references are important in case there are some things to clear or correct along the way. Photos can also help with dispute issues in case of loss or damage.
3. Have a Moving Budget
Moving across the country will need a significant budget. Packing supplies, moving trucks, and a possible car shipping service will cost you. There will be more expenses like a possible plane ticket or additional travel insurance. Consider the weight of your belongings during shipping. The oversized items and weight limit coverage will set you back a significant amount.
Creating your moving budget should start months before moving day. This can give you enough time to set aside more money for your new start. Preparing your pocket for unexpected costs can help ease the stress from this experience. It may need a bit of cost-cutting, but the results will be worth it.
4. Start Sorting and Purging Your Belongings as Early as Possible
Decluttering your home will need time, effort, and strong decision-making skills. This can be challenging to start because of busy schedules. But it is possible if you do it little by little every day. Choosing which ones to keep, give away, and sell can make things easier. Hosting a yard sale can help you earn more money for your moving day.
You can also place some of the items on sale through online selling sites. Your bulky furniture and appliances can go on sale. You can just buy new ones for your new home later. This will reduce the cargo weight of the moving truck. It will then cost you less to transport the rest of your belongings to your new home. Using your table linens, old shirts, blankets, socks, and towels as packing materials can help you save on packing peanuts.
5. Prepare Your Pets
Some pets do not have any experience riding any form of transportation. This means that you will need to take your pet for rides on some forms of transport as test runs for the big day. This will take some time. Investing in a seat belt, travel crate, and some pet travel essentials is a good start.
Your vet can provide you with the necessary instructions to help relieve your pet’s motion sickness or anxiety. Checking the rules of your airline about specific pets they can fly is important if you are planning to fly to your new home. Each airline has its own set of strict rules about pet travel. Find out the fees, regulations, and setup for pets. You can find cheapest car transportation service here.
6. Make a Digital Inventory of Your Belongings
You can start doing this once you have completed sorting your belongings. A digital inventory can make it easier to insure them or update your insurance policies. It can also help file an insurance claim in case of loss or damage. Taking pictures of your electronics can help guide you when it is time for reinstallation in their new location.
7. Get the Right Packing Materials and Boxes
This is an important part of your cross-country move. It is often tempting to get free boxes from local grocery stores and bodegas. But keep in mind that these boxes have been exposed to moisture, temperature changes, and insects. They may already be compromised by the time you get them. Your belongings may suffer during packing and transit because of the damaged boxes.
Buying moving boxes will be better. These boxes have been engineered to withstand moisture, temperature changes, and insects. You will have peace of mind during moving day because your possessions will be intact. Spending a little more on moving boxes will be worth every penny. Packing peanuts are useful, but you may not need to buy them at all. Using small stuffed toys, clothes, and sheets as packing material can keep your sensitive items safe.
8. Hire Professional Cleaners
Professional cleaners can help you leave your old home in top condition on moving day. If you have been renting, the cleaners can help you get your deposit back. You can hire cleaning professionals to prepare your new home as well. By the time you arrive, you can be sure that your living environment will be clean.
9. Having a Checklist for Your Cross-country Move Can Help De-stress the Experience
Moving to an unfamiliar area across the country can be intimidating. Completing your moving checklist can take time. Starting early is ideal. Making sure that you’ve taken care of everything can make your cross-country move stress-free and easier than you think. All you need to do is strategize from day one to the end of your moving day. Following the mentioned checklist can help you every step of the way.
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