Even if you move to a new home in Tacoma, Washington, or an apartment in Houston, Texas, moving to a new home in a new city or state is an exciting adventure. However, the long distance relocation process can also be overwhelming. Proper planning and organization are important to ensure smooth and successful movements. In this comprehensive guide, Redfin offers 12 valuable tips to make long distance movements stress-free and efficient.
1. Start planning early
Long distance movements require careful planning, so start as soon as possible. Ideally, start the process at least 8-12 weeks before the intended travel date. Create a detailed travel checklist and timeline to track important tasks. This includes scheduling the necessary services, such as researching the moving company and transferring utility. It is also a good idea to estimate the number of boxes you need and start collecting them.
2. Hire a reputable moving company
Choosing the right mobile company is essential to successful long-distance movements. Research some companies, read online reviews and rate their reputation and customer satisfaction. Get written estimates from multiple movers and compare services and prices. Find a company with a great track record of handling proper licensing, insurance and long distance movements.
3. Get mobile insurance to protect your belongings
Even if you find a quality moving company, you will still have an accident. It is important to prepare when traveling long distances in case some of yours is damaged during transportation. Ask about the difference between basic carrier liability (usually included) and full value protection (covering replacement or repair).
4. Organize and remove unnecessary items
Long distance movements are costly based on the amount of things you have. Take advantage of this opportunity to thoroughly organize your home. Donate, sell, or dispose of items that are no longer needed or used. Garage sales and items on the Facebook Marketplace will earn you additional cash to cover travel expenses. This is useful if you are moving within a budget. Reducing the number of items you move will not only save you money, but it also makes the packaging and unpacking process much easier to manage.
5. Notify important parties to update their information
One important step in long-distance movements is to notify relevant parties of future relocations. Notify current and new utility providers of moveouts and mooin dates to ensure seamless transfer of services. We will also notify banks, insurance companies, credit card providers and other institutions with accounts about changes to your address.
6. Organize important documents
During long distance movements, important documents can easily be lost or misplaced. Collect and organize important documents such as passports, IDs, birth certificates, medical records, financial documents, and contracts related to your new home. Store in a safe and easy-to-access location. Consider carrying these documents personally, rather than boxing them.
Don’t forget to update your address with relevant government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Ministry of Automobile (DMV), and Postal Services. Additionally, we will notify you of mail, friends, family and other contact details to continue email, packaging and service without interruption.
7. Take stock of everything
Create a detailed inventory of all your belongings before you move. This is especially important for long distance movements where your belongings may be transported along with other items. Having inventory will track your possessions and ensure that everything arrives safely in your new home.
“It’s wise to accurately assess your property with movements of any size,” says Thomas Engelhart of 513 Movers.
8. Plan your travel and accommodation
If you are driving to a new home, plan your route in advance and book accommodation along the road if necessary. Calculate distance, travel time, and possible outages you may want to create. Think about the best time to travel to avoid traffic and bad weather.
If your movement involves air travel, book your flight quite in advance to ensure the best price. Please arrange for transportation from the airport to your new home in advance. If you have pets, make sure you also have proper travel arrangements.
9. Pack systematically
Packing your belongings in a room is a practical and efficient approach. Start with items you use frequently and continue on your path to daily essentials. Invest in heavy-duty moving boxes, bubble wrap, packaging paper and high-quality tape. To prevent damage, individually wrap fragile items.
Label the contents and the rooms that belong to each box. This will give you a breeze to unpack and help you put the box in the right room in the new home. Additionally, use the stock app to keep your inventory list for packed items. Having a detailed listing ensures that nothing is lost in transit and that it acts as a reference if you need to file an insurance claim.
Marcin Cwaliński, Inc. of Ampol Moving suggests packing yourself to organize and save money.
“I’ll advise anyone who’s as organized as possible to keep costs down,” he says. Cwaliński recommends packing your own boxes, moving items into the garage, speeding up the process and moving things when the mover arrives.
10. Packing essential boxes
Packing Essentials boxes is a simple yet incredibly convenient step that saves time and stress on and after the journey. Box the items you need as soon as you arrive at your new home. This includes toiletries, clothing changes, important documents, basic kitchenware, essential tools, and items that will help you calm down comfortably in the first few days.
For easy access, keep your essentials box on the move, rather than transporting it with the rest of your belongings.
11. Keep your valuable items nearby
Even mobile insurance doesn’t know what will happen during long distance movements. Insurance may protect you financially, but it does not eliminate the inconvenience of valuable gems and documents. Instead of packing these items into the rest during the movement process, you eliminate that variable by keeping them close by.
12. Stay positive and stay flexible
Finally, remember that travel, especially long distances, can be challenging and unpredictable. While unexpected issues can occur, maintaining a positive attitude and flexibility can make the process more manageable. Embracing the adventures and new opportunities await you in your new location.
Additional move tips
Whether you’re preparing for long distance movements or traveling across town, there are quick moving hacks to move.
Pack essential items in clear containers, so take a quick photo of your electronics, then move to easily reconnect with items that are not new home packs, double check small parts in Ziploc bags using color-coded labels for each room to make sure nothing is left in the old home or something new is missing.
Long distance travel FAQ
How do you prepare furniture for long distance travel?
If possible, large furniture should be disassembled. Other items should wrap plastic wrap (or blankets for wooden furniture to prevent condensation).
What is the cost of travelling long distances?
The exact price varies greatly depending on the distance travelled, but long-distance movement costs between $2,000 and $10,000, DIY moves to the bottom edge of the spectrum, with full-service moving at the high end.
How do you transport plants when traveling long distances?
Stabilize the pot to prevent the plants from falling over. If you are transporting plants in your car, wrap them in plastic to prevent soil from spilling out. Make sure your plants are rich enough before you move.
