Ways To Make Your Life Easier During a Long-Distance Move
If you’re preparing for a cross-country move, the excitement can be overshadowed by the moving logistics. Don’t get overwhelmed by the scale of your move. With a little organization, you can move from point A to point B efficiently
Consider Moving During the Off-Season
May through September is the most popular time for people to move. Off-season discounts, or at least pricing, may be available during downtimes in the fall, winter, and early spring. If possible, explore the possibility of moving when the roads are less crowded with fellow travelers.
Take Inventory of What You Need to Bring
Moving is a great excuse to de-clutter and simplify your life. While you want to take your favorite furniture, heirlooms, and kitchen essentials, you don’t need to keep dragging around old clothes and unwanted knickknacks.
Have Quality Moving Supplies Ready to Go
Invest in sturdy moving supplies, especially if you plan to pack yourself. This means durable cardboard boxes that are easily stackable and come in a variety of sizes.
Decide Whether or Not to Hire Packers
If your moving budget allows for it, you can save an incredible amount of time and stress by hiring professional packers. They have the expertise to move fragile or special items with care. From kitchen appliances to paintings, they can help you with the logistics of getting everything organized.
LONG DISTANCE MOVING
A move is considered long distance when you are moving further than 50 miles from your original home. This could be in the same state, or even on a different coastline. Thankfully there are professional companies out there that can help you and your family rest assured that your items will safely get where they need to go.
Moving a long distance away can certainly cause physical and emotional distress. You may be moving away from family and friends. Your kids may be changing schools and don’t know anyone. It can be a lot to weigh on someone’s mind. We have already established that any move is stressful, so having emotional stress on top of that is definitely not a good combination.
Perhaps you and your family are moving across the country for a new job. You will no doubt be stressed thinking about starting over at a new place and meeting new coworkers. Your kids will be stressed about meeting new friends at school. Getting boxes and furniture to your new home should be the last thing on your mind.
Professional Movers
Make sure you consider professional moving services when making a long distance move. These companies know the best tips to keeping the move as stress free as possible. They have done this before, and you probably haven’t. Sure, it may be more money, but it will certainly be worth it in the end.
DIY Long Distance Moves
While it may be more work, moving a long distance can be done by yourself. Of course, having some help from family and friends won’t be a bad idea. Doing the move yourself is definitely a more financially savvy method. You won’t have to worry about contacts and payments for a moving company to handle your move.
BEST MOVING TIPS
YOUR ESSENTIALS BOX SHOULD INCLUDE:
Any toiletries you may need
Snacks, coffee and tea
Garbage bags
Change of clothes
Dish soap and dish cloths
Pet food and dish
Scissors
Towels
Mugs, plates and cutlery
Important papers, such as receipts, banking information or tax slips
EXPERT PACKING SERVICES AT AFFORDABLE RATES.
For those looking to do the packing themselves, here are a few helpful tips:
Dispose, sell or donate unwanted articles prior to moving to streamline packing.
Loosely wrap glass, stoneware and all fragile items using two layers of plain paper or (ecofriendly) cloth (Clean socks work well!).
Wrapping items in newsprint may leave stains on certain items, so it’s best to use newsprint for things that can be wiped off easily, like cutlery or certain ceramics.
Pack all loose items in boxes, not bags.
Tape boxes across tops and edges and label them clearly according to room placement at your new location. This will make unpacking that much easier!
Label and place screws and small parts from disassembled furniture and equipment in small clear plastic bags. There’s nothing more annoying than trying to assemble furniture only to realize you’re missing half the screws, so make sure you think ahead.
Transport jewelry, money and valuables in your own vehicle. For your more precious (and fragile) possessions, recommends keeping them with you at all times during the move.
Organize and label electronics and cables before your move for easy set up at your new location. Cables have a tendency to become extremely tangled, so taking steps to minimize this will save you some grief when it comes time to unpack.
Pack food securely in sealed bags for extra protection. Moving can take a lot out of you, so we suggest packing some snacks in your Essentials box, to keep your blood sugar and mood up throughout.
Pack and clearly mark a box for ESSENTIALS that you will need immediately when you reach your new location
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Notify all pertinent government agencies, banks, creditors, gas, water, telephone, cable and internet providers of your move. Doing this prior to your next billing date will prevent important documents from being lost in the mail, as well as minimizing the disruption in your services.
Defrost and clean fridge(s) prior to moving day, and minimize the amount of perishable food you pack, as it can attract a whole zoo of creatures you likely want to avoid in your new Yellowknife home.
Empty fuel from lawnmower, power tools, kerosene lamps and barbecue.
Plan the placement of furniture or equipment in your new location so our movers can accommodate you.
NEVER PACK FLAMMABLES SUCH AS:
Paint/ Thinner
Aerosol cans
Cleaning fluid
Propane tanks
Corrosive liquids
Long Distance Moving
the standard for offering outstanding customer service. The company ranks at or near the top of customer satisfaction surveys targeting customers of moving companies. With the largest moving company network
who work at local moving and storage facilities. The broad network means United can move virtually anyone anywhere in the country. Because of semi sized trucks in its inventory, United can move large corporations cross-country or interstate by using several trucks in its expansive fleet.
moving and logistics services that include spacious storage units for securing furniture and recreational equipment. Multiple independent online customers and moving industry analyst websites rank
The easy to access moving and logistics services department provide helpful information over the phone or through a real-time online chat feature. Customers always receive requests for feedback, which makes the entire team of moving professionals accountable for delivering on every relocation promise
specializes in cross country moves that require trucks the size of semis to relocate businesses and large families. enjoys the second lowest complaint rate, and the company represents the only mover that has a record of complaints about loss and damage under 50%
Long Distance Moving
Long-Distance Moving Companies Offer More Options Than Ever
If you’re moving to another province or country, you’ll probably want to consider hiring one of the many long-distance moving companies in your area. This is a good idea for several reasons, including convenience and safety – and you may be surprised to learn that sometimes it’s not all that expensive either. When many people think of long-distance moving companies, they only think about movers that show up on moving day, load your belongings onto a truck, and transport your stuff to your new home.
But nowadays, full-service long-distance moving companies offer more options than ever, including the following:
Packing/Unpacking. Whether you need everything packed or just the most fragile items, most long-distance moving companies offer the services you need. In addition, companies will likely provide unpacking services once you arrive at your new home for an extra fee. Hiring movers to unpack will mean your home will be set up and live-in ready in a day rather than weeks or months. Having your moving company take care of packing and unpacking for you often also means less opportunity for damage of precious items. The pros know how to wrap and move items that you might find impossible.
Assembly/Disassembly. Need something large and bulky – including waterbeds, swing sets, furniture, etc. – disassembled at your current home and put back together at the new place? Ask your moving company if it provides services that do just that. Eliminating the stress that comes with thinking about assembling and disassembling large items can really improve your overall moving experience.
Short-term and long-term storage. Are you arriving at your destination city before your new home or apartment will be move-in ready? Then ask your moving company if it provides short-term or portable storage for your belongings while you wait. Or maybe you’re downsizing and need a more permanent storage solution. If that’s the case, many of the best long-distance moving companies have storage services for rent or at least have connections with reputable storage facilities in the area.
Custom crating. Certain belongings just won’t fit in a traditional box, whether because it’s too large, fragile, or odd-shaped. That’s where custom crating comes in. Find a moving company that can offer crating services for things like framed artwork, sculptures, or electronic equipment. The company will pick up your item or items and make sure they are packaged to withstand the move.
Loading/Unloading: Probably the most vital part of getting a move right is how a company loads your things on the truck. Finding a moving company that is skilled in loading your belongings correctly and will do all of the loading and unloading for you is key. This might seem like a basic part of moving that everyone offers, but some moving and storage services make you load your own belongings, and you can’t ensure the safety of your things the way the professionals can.
What to Look for in a Long Distance Moving Company
Although plenty of long distance moving companies offer great add-on services, that doesn’t mean that they are all created equal. You’ll want to look into the specifics of any company you’re considering before you commit.
Cross-Border Moves. If you’re moving across. then you’ll need moving services specific to a cross-border and long-distance move. Look for a company with experience in these areas so your moving truck doesn’t wind up stuck in customs.
Local Moving. If you’re going to need short-term storage or you’re planning on living in a rental for a few months before purchasing a home in your new location, then you will want to find a company that can handle local moves too. Sometimes companies will even offer a free move for you locally within a few months of your cross-country move.
Customer Service. You have enough on your plate without having to worry about the snippy person helping you move. Great customer service builds confidence and keeps your experience pleasant even during the stressful times. Look for a company that takes customer service seriously and won’t stand for the mistreatment of its customers.
Well Rated. You don’t want to trust a company that has a poor reputation with all of your most precious belongings. Look into the company’s online ratings with a quick Google search, browse through their social media, and check their score with the Better Business Bureau to make sure you’ve got a reputable and reliable company behind you during your move. You can also look for movers who are part of reputable organizations like the Canadian Association of Movers.
Moving Tips. Moving long distances can be daunting. Work with a company that is proud to help you make the most of your move. Beyond just storage options, you want to deal with long distance movers who understand what you’re going through and can help you along the way. The best companies offer tips to help you get the most from your move even if they end up making less money on extras because of it.
Transparency. You want a company that tells it to you straight. You want to know your prices up front and be able to have honest conversations about timelines, storage options, moving dates, shipment tracking, and more. A company that isn’t willing to get transparent with you isn’t a company worth working with.
Inventory. Reputable movers keep an inventory of your things to ensure that nothing is lost in transit. You want to make sure that your company knows what you’ve got in your moving boxes and can ensure that those boxes make it to you safely in your new home. Look for a company that offers shipment tracking as well to give you peace of mind as your belongings make the trek across the state or country.
COVID-19. Nowadays companies need to have a plan to combat the spread of COVID-19. Every company should have a plan to clean and sanitize their trucks and keep you and their employees safe as you share spaces in your new location. Ask to see the plans and procedures before you commit to using a company so you know you’ll feel comfortable when moving day comes around.