No relocation will ever be perfect. Expect to encounter challenges, whether it’s as small as running out of tape to something as strenuous as lifting the piano. While problems can’t be avoided, you could always prepare to make them as painless as possible. But how? Where do you start? Who should you call? Relax. Breathe slow and handle the situation, one step at a time.
To help make things easier, here are some valuable tips to simplify your upcoming move out-of-state.
1. Set a Timeline
Inexperienced movers tend to mess up their relocation by operating blindly. Like, they let the ensuing chaos take control instead of them commanding the process. Luckily, you have the option to avoid making the same mistake. All you need to do is create a timeline and manage every stage of your move. It’ll help take the pressure off of you. Accordingly, this requires you to plan and account for possible changes. Your timeline should help you set achievable goals so you can cross things off your checklist. With a timeline in your arsenal, you can accomplish tasks like scheduling movers a month prior, decluttering for several days, or packing your rooms one by one for an entire week.
2. Consider Quotes from Different Companies
First of all, you don’t want to search for movers at the last minute. It limits your options and forces you to take unfavorable deals because of the time constraint. That being said, start hunting a month before the big day. Compare quotes from different moving companies. Doing so gives you an idea of which ones offer the best value for your money. It’s also important to inquire if your potential movers can satisfy specialized needs like piano moving, white-glove services, or storage options.
3. Do Your Research
Knowledge is power, and information is king. It’s understandable how difficult it can be to trust strangers, considering the plethora of moving scams nowadays. That said, make sure you know the people you hire.
Say, for example, you’re planning to move to Atlanta. Now, Atlanta is a massive city with lots of movers around. However, not all of them offer the same quality service. That being said, don’t just look for any random long-distance mover. You should only hire a licensed interstate mover that is up to date with modern relocation standards and techniques.
- Start by requesting your potential company’s credentials like USDOT number or BBB accreditation. Topping that, interstate movers MUST be registered with the local authorities.
- Next, evaluate their online presence by inspecting their website. Does it look professional? Are testimonials real, or do they feel fabricated? Proceed to check reviews from legitimate sites such as Yelp and Google.
- Also, don’t forget to check your mover’s track record. Based on the example, how many Atlanta moves have they successfully executed? What are their experiences regarding your type of relocation?
- More importantly, scrutinize their insurance policies. Some companies might leave you in the dark regarding claiming protocols or coverage. It’s best to have an honest discussion with your movers so you know and understand what’s covered and not.
- Finally, ask for referrals or recommendations from your movers. Then, talk to these people who have experienced the company’s services beforehand. Don’t be afraid to back away if they share something that raises a red flag.
4. Declutter and Downsize
Can’t stress this enough. Never try to move your entire house. It’ll dramatically increase the cost of your move. Knowing this, identify what stuff is worth bringing along and which items you can afford to live without. One solid piece of advice is to let go of duplicates and items you didn’t use in the past year.
Additionally, you can sell some of the unwanted belongings to earn some cash to cover your moving expenses. You can also leave tools for your neighbors or donate old clothes to a local charity. Your last resort for getting rid of things is to have the local junk removal company haul them out.
Decluttering and downsizing is probably the most difficult task when it comes to moving. It’s time to throw all those non-essentials away.
5. Be Resourceful
Want to save more? Then don’t spend money on unnecessary stuff! Why buy moving blankets when you have old ones in your home? Why purchase packing paper when you have newspapers in the basement? Actually, there’s a lot of cost-effective methods out there. You can:
- Leave your clothes on their hangers and stuff them inside clean trash bags.
- Ask for free boxes from your neighbors or office.
- Pack books or heavy plates inside suitcases (remember to pad the dishes).
- Move drawers and dressers as is to save time.
- Store small items inside pots.
There are so many ways to utilize your resources effectively. Out of ideas? It doesn’t hurt to do a little more research. Another thing, don’t forget to prepare a ‘survival box.’ It should contain essentials like bathroom products, fresh clothes, medication, and toilet paper your family needs to survive the first few days in your new home.
6. Transfer Your Utilities and Address
Facing issues with managing utilities is something you don’t want to deal with when moving. Obviously, you wouldn’t want to lose access on moving day or experience delayed reactivation as you transition to your new home. In light of this, the perfect timing for transfer would be one day after you move out and one day before you move in. As for changing your address, it can be done online. Just go to the USPS site, fill out the form, submit using a valid email address, and wait for confirmation. And you’re done! All that’s left is to wait for the big day.
Transferring your utilities and address is important, because…well. How will you live?
7. Work Smarter, Not Harder
There’s no denying that moving can be pretty laborious. Obviously, you’re going to have to exert physical effort while enduring the mental strain in the process. Thankfully, there are several ways where you can ease up on the burden surrounding the move. One of them is by labeling boxes the smart way.
How? Through color-coding. Assign a color to a section in your house (like the kitchen) and use a marker with the same color to label boxes containing items that go into that specific room. This way, you won’t have to deal with a combined mess of belongings when unpacking later on.
Another way to be efficient on moving day is to create a moving checklist. This should include a list of your inventory, packing schedule, and other important matters that need to be addressed. It’ll serve as your guide, so you know what to do next and commit fewer errors along the way.
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