Planning a long-distance move can seem like a daunting task. There are so many more variables involved in a cross-country move than when you are just relocating down the street.
So, if you’re a first-time long-distance mover—not to worry! We have a few tips that will help you with your long-distance move, keeping it stress-free and easy!
1. Get organized
The first step towards making your move pain-free is to make a plan. Then all you need to do is stick to it and stay organized.
A long-distance move isn’t something you can throw together in a couple of days with the help of your friends and a few cars. You’ll need to do some serious planning!
- When is moving day?
- What tasks need to be done before the move?
- Are you hiring professional movers?
- How do you plan on getting yourself to the new house?
- What route should you take?
2. Start early
A long-distance move requires a long prep time, so make sure you get started early, leaving plenty of time for all of your moving tasks, goodbyes, and open houses.
3. Declutter and pack lighter
The first elements of a long-distance move that you should tackle are decluttering your home and donating old items.
Not only will this feel very refreshing, it will also make transporting your essentials easier.
If you have old furniture that you’ve been wanting to get rid of, it might make more sense to donate it now and buy new items when you get to the new place; just keep your budget in mind.
4. Determine how much you can spend
After you’ve cut the clutter, you’ll need to determine how much money you’re actually going to be able to spend on the costs of the move itself.
This will help you determine whether you’ll be able to hire movers or ship your items from your old place to the new.
The distance between your old home and your new home will make a lot of these decisions for you, including whether you’ll be driving or flying there once the movers pack up the last box.
But, keeping your budget in mind will ensure that you don’t overspend in the process.
Book your flights or rent a car ahead of time so that you’re not scrambling at the last minute to make travel arrangements at higher prices, too!
5. Get the kids set up
If you’re moving with kids, you’ll need to think about things like new pediatricians, schools, play groups, and more. Moving in the middle of the school year puts even more time restraints on things, so don’t wait until the last minute to look for new schools.
It may take some time to get the kids signed up and enrolled, and you don’t want them falling behind mid-year.
6. Put your name on every box
Trust us—label your boxes with not only their contents and location in the new house, but also your name!
Depending on the moving company or shipping route you choose, your items could possibly be transported with boxes from other families.
It may be a lot to write, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
7. Hire professional long-distance movers
With a long-distance move, you’re going to have a lot on your plate, and your hands will be filled with simply getting you and your family to the new place in one piece.
So, why not find a team of movers that excel at long-distance moves?
You can worry about your trip to the new house, while professional movers worry about getting your belongings there.
Talk to your movers early to determine the best date for you to move.
Ask them about certain rules and regulations, just in case there’s anything they won’t be able to transport.
8. Be aware of the mysterious “delivery window”
Since long-distance moves have a lot of moving parts, most companies can’t promise that your belongings will be delivered on a specific day.
There’s too many variables and destinations to consider.
So, the tip here is: don’t be surprised by a delivery window!
It depends on the company, but delivery windows have a wide range so make sure you ask your movers what their policy is!
9. Bring the essentials with you
Since there is that unpredictable delivery window to keep in mind, you should never pack the essentials you’ll need upon arrival.
Bring the basics with you, as well as some clothing options for the first few days.
You’ll want to be able to settle in even if your belongings aren’t all there yet.
10. Determine your storage needs
If there isn’t enough room in your new place for all your belongings, you may need to stash some things in storage.
Unless you’ll be coming back to your old town regularly, it’s best to rent a storage unit in your new town, which means you’ll need to transport all of your items there, and split them up based on where they need to be unloaded.
11. Get to know your new neighborhood
Knowing the type of town you’re moving to will help you determine whether you need to bring your skis, or if the closest slopes are 6 hours away.
Getting to know some of the best spots for dinner, to grab a coffee, or just to hang out with the kids can go a long way towards making your new town feel like home.
Try not to forget to check out the weather: that’ll be a major determining factor when it comes to packing up your wardrobe!
12. Notify everyone of your move
Sure, you’ll want to let your friends and family know about the big move, but more importantly, you’ll need to notify your bank, credit card companies, health insurance companies, and other places that tend to send you important mail.
Moving long-distance is a lot to organize, but if you stay on task and stay organized, it’ll be a breeze.
And when you’re ready to plan the big move, Dowell’s Moving & Storage is here to help!
Give us a call at 250-361-9866 to learn more about our long-distance moving services in Victoria BC.