Moving causes stress; it’s a fact, especially when moving long-distance. But it also induces lots of excitement and joy in many cases, so why not focus on the good rather than the bad? We know it’s easier said than done. That’s why today we’re going to give you some moving tips that will help you achieve a stress-free long-distance move.
Your Packing Method
Packing should be started as early as two months in advance (feel free to start earlier if it makes sense for you); this will help with last-minute stressors of needing more packing materials or spending more money.
It also gives you ample time to go through your belongings. If you don’t want it or need it, or if it doesn’t work or fit, give it a pass. There are plenty of ways to do this:
- Donation- dropoff or pickup
- Giveaway to friends and family
- Apps such as Letgo and Nextdoor can get you some money for your unwanted items.
- Garage sales will also get you some money before your move
- Trash or recycle
The less you have to move, the easier, more cost-effective it will be. Moving is a great time to purge those items that are unnecessary. Plus, you don’t need the chaos of unwanted items in your new home.
Your Moving Date
No one wants to move when it’s cold, wet, snowy, and otherwise uncomfortable outside, which is why it may be smart for you to do it during that time. Most moves happen during the summer months, not only based on weather but also school and work vacations. It’s smart for those reasons.
However, if you move during the off-season (between October and April), you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also have a wider range of days and times to work with, making your move more convenient for your schedule. Try to move during the middle of the month and the middle of the week, too. This will also contribute to better pricing.
Your Moving Professionals
Hiring the right movers for your long-distance move is a big piece of your stress-free puzzle. Do your due diligence. Figure out what exactly you want from the movers you hire. Are you looking for full-service (packing, unpacking, and transportation), or maybe you need movers to transport your belongings? You could require specialized movers who work with valuable or heavy furniture and equipment. What’s the ideal package for your move?
Next, call around to at least three professional moving companies that are licensed and insured. But be sure each one has positive reviews and is in good standing with the BBB. Ask friends and family for their recommendations, too. This will sort out a lot of moving company prospects and keep you from being too overwhelmed.
Remember, the cheapest doesn’t mean the best.
You may want to consider getting moving insurance, too. Full Value Protection states that your movers will need to replace any items damaged during the moving process or reimburse you for the item’s current value. If you get Released Value Protection, you’re entitled to a $0.60 per pound reimbursement for any damaged item. If you’re unsatisfied with the insurance plans offered by the moving company, reach out to third-party insurance agencies and see if they can help you with a moving insurance policy.
When you feel confident and comfortable with a reputable moving company, your peace of mind will melt away your moving stress.
Do you want to visit the biggest Sea Lion Caves? Move to Oregon.
Your Moving Budget
Don’t let the stress of your moving finances creep up on you. Know what you’re getting into and plan accordingly. Start with your moving quote (note that not all quotes are binding, so read the fine print and understand how your quote can go up or down). A binding not-to-exceed or guaranteed not-to-exceed quote is best. With this kind of quote, your price will not exceed the price given and may even go down, depending on weight.
Determine how much money you’ll need to spend on packing supplies and materials if you’re doing your own packing. Keep in mind:
- Boxes
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Markers to label boxes
- Packing paper
- Foam wraps
- Moving blankets
- Stretch plastic wrap
And, don’t forget to budget for tipping your moving team—usually about $10 per person for a half-day and $20 per person for the full day.
The Takeaway
Your long-distance move is going to invite a lot of stress into your life for a short period of time, but if you follow these tips and prepare well, you’ll be on your way to a stress-free long-distance move.
Eden’s Moving Services
Eden’s Moving Services provides customized local and long-distance moving services from Colorado throughout the USA. Working with residential and commercial customers for over 10 years, we are dedicated to offering you confidence, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re looking for high-quality expert packing, storage services, our professionally trained movers, we are here to accommodate, providing exceptional attention to detail, no matter the size of your move. Each move is treated on its own merits for maximum service and added value for money.
