Moving Tips
Whether it is your first experience with relocation or you are a seasoned relocator, managing a cross-country move is overwhelming. Cross-state moves are fairly easy when you have months to plan. But on short notice, they take on a challenging turn. That’s where cross-country movers are your best bet.
Despite having professionals monitor everything, there is a gnawing feeling of ‘what if I miss something?’ This narrative details an all-inclusive checklist to help you keep track of your move easily.
8 Weeks Before Moving
2 months seems endless for every other situation. But when you are hiring cross-country movers for a cross-state move, time flies like crazy. Here is what you need to do before the time window decreases further.
Search Housing Options
You’ll need a residence to relocate in the first place. So start searching for a place as soon as you decide to relocate. It is better to personally visit the neighborhood before finalizing. But if it’s not feasible, sift through websites like Walk Score and Wikihood to find out about the demographics of the place. [1]
Figure Out Your Transportation And Moving Company
Next, you’ll need to decide how you’ll reach your new place. Get inspection checks for your car, book a flight, and arrange transport for your pets if needed. Furthermore, make reservations with cross-country movers so there are no problems later on. Inquire about their availability when you plan to relocate and ask for in-home estimates.  Â
Create A Moving Budget
Once you have an idea about how much a company would charge (additional services included), create a budget. Planning a budget helps track your finances, and you won’t end up spending your fortune when relocating.
Start Decluttering
6 Weeks Before Moving
Once you have decided on the budget, the movers that fit it, and the residence, the second phase of the relocation begins. Here is what you need to do.
Gather Packing Supplies
Inappropriate packing supplies will do more harm than good despite hiring cross-country movers. Hence, it is important to take time and acquire the right packing supplies. You can find moving boxes from any hardware store, however, make sure that they have a less carbon footprint.
Create An Inventory
Since the decluttering phase is already complete, creating a household inventory list becomes easy. This list is a post-move essential to help you keep track of the things while unpacking after your arrival and also proves helpful for insurance claims in case of mishaps.
Notify Utilities
Before your movers arrive and relocate you, make sure to notify the utility companies. Clear dues and notify them of your moving date. Call and inquire whether the basic facilities, like electricity, gas, cable, etc, are up and running before you arrive.
Make Time For Goodbyes
Abrupt and incomplete goodbyes never send you off with positive vibes. Therefore, it is important to take time and arrange a small gathering so everyone gets closure. You can also ask the guests to help you with some tasks and then enjoy a farewell feast.Â
4 Weeks Before The Move
A month is left before your reservation day with the cross-country movers arrive. Now you need to deal with more critical tasks like
Update Records
You’ll need to update your civil, personal, and professional records. For instance, you may need to update your address with these services: car insurance, vote registration, credit card facilities, credit bureaus, and even your employer. [3]
Decluttering every room and closet is tirelessly long. Hence, it is better to start as soon as possible. An expert tip is to divide the additional stuff into three piles (‘donate’, ‘sell’, and ‘recycle’). You can set up a garage sale or donate items you no longer use on Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity.[2]Â
Assemble Your Documents
You’ll need to gather all documents in an organized way so you can access them when needed. Birth certificates, professional documents, pet IDs, and other such things. It is better to have both hard and digital copies to ensure availability.
Start Cleaning
Begin cleaning your new home. Start from the rooms that are free and progress to the current-in-use ones. Make sure to clean your refrigerator and consume all the perishable items in it. Moreover, you can also look for any repairs the house may need. Â
2 Weeks Before Moving
The sense of the revelation of your moving date overwhelms you significantly. But it is vital to understand that stressing won’t do it. You have to keep going until you safely close the door to your new home after moving with cross-country movers.
- Make sure to update details with your renter and clear any bills or insurance before the moving day. You can also take pictures of the house’s condition to avoid conflicts later.
- Your moving company will undoubtedly arrive on the scheduled day. But it is still better to confirm things over a call.
- If you are receiving any citizen benefits, make sure to notify the related government facilities before moving as well.
On The Moving Day
The moving day may sound like handling a bazooka, but it’s not that hard. Following the guide here, you’ll leave your old home with positive energy. [4]
- Get up early, hydrate, and have breakfast, then take a look around to see if nothing is amiss
- Pet and children-proof your home to facilitate the professionals. You can drop your children at a friend’s as well until the loading winds up.
- When the movers arrive, greet them and offer refreshments, this will create a strong bond and make the journey memorable.
- Keep a first-aid kit and lock everything. Take some pictures for memory’s sake, and look forward to starting a new chapter.
The Bottom Line
Relocating to a new state or country may seem exciting, but it can be confusing and stressful as well. Here is a breakdown of all activities that you must perform from 8 weeks to the moving day the cross-country movers will arrive. Remember that, the key to a successful move is staying positive, strong planning, and enjoying the process.Â
FAQs
- Are instant quotes any good?
For last-minute relocations, instant quotes sound tempting. But they are not comprehensive. You’ll get accurate figures after submitting the inventory and needed services list. [2]
- How long before the cross-country movers will deliver the belongings to the new house?
On average moving companies give you a window of up to 2 weeks. However, the overall time depends upon the distance and other unforeseen events. [5]
- Can I choose a rental truck for a cross-country move?
Yes, you can hire a rental truck for a cross-state move, but it is important to use a rent calculator from a reputable moving company for an accurate estimate.
- How much does a full-time moving service cost?
The charges vary depending upon the extent of the services and the moving company. However, on average, full-time moving services minimally cost about 2,300 dollars. [3]
References:
[1] https://www.greatguysmovers.com/blog/checklist-for-moving-cross-country/
[2]https://www.moving.com/tips/guide-for-moving-cross-country/
[3]https://www.angi.com/articles/moving-cross-country-checklist.htm
[5]https://www.movingapt.com/how-long-does-it-take-movers-to-move-across-the-country/
