Moving cross country is not easy, and it can be extremely stressful. If you have to plan this type of move, there are some tips that you should know about. These tips from our experts at Anchana Moving & Storage, will ensure that your move is as smooth as possible and reduce some of the stress that can have you waking up in the night.
Reduce Your Load
One of the first things that you need to do when moving across the country is to reduce your load. Cross country movers will often charge you based on the weight of your belongings as well as the amount. This means that the more you move, the more you are going to pay.
To reduce your load, you need to get rid of what you can. Lightly used items that you will not need in your new home can be sold or donated. A good rule of thumb when it comes to getting rid of things is to consider if you have used it in the last year. If the answer is no, you should get rid of it.
Get Your Family Involved
If you are moving your whole family to the other side of the country, you need to get them involved. This will reduce the burden that you face and will ensure that nothing gets tossed out that should stay. Of course, you need to be careful when you assign moving jobs to the different people in your family.
If you have small children, they will not be able to help as much as a teenager. All children should be asked to pack their rooms and clear out what they do not want. This can be harder with small children as they might not want to part with any of their toys.
Older children and your partner can help with packing the rest of the house. The items that you set for them to pack should be the non-essential ones. You or your partner should pack any fragile objects that you have and leave the non-breakable items to the children.
Book Travel Arrangements In Advance
Once you have a moving date, you need to plan and book all of your travel arrangements. This is something that you do not want to leave for the last minute because you could miss out on the arrangements that you need. This is particularly important if you are going to fly to the other side of the country.
If you are taking a slow trip across the country, you need to plan this very carefully. You will need to arrive at your final destination before all of your possessions, or you could face issues. Booking accommodation is also vital as you do not want to be stranded on your trip or at your destination.
Choose The Right Moving Company
If you are going to hire a moving company, you need to ensure that you hire the right one. You do not want to be a victim of a cross country moving scam. The good news is that these scams are easy to spot if you take the time to look at the moving company.
All cross country moving companies will need to have a DOT number. These numbers should be displayed by the company, and you can check this on the FMCSA database. If the moving company does not have one of these numbers, you should not use them.
You also need to ensure that the company is properly insured. A reputable moving company will be willing to provide you with the proper documentation to prove this. You should check that this is still valid and what their limits are.
Once you have checked this information, you should get a quote from 3 to 4 moving companies. These quotes will need to be compared, and you should not opt for the cheapest moving company based on the price alone. While the cheapest one could be best for your needs, you have to consider the service they provide and their guarantees before you make a decision.
Renting A Moving Container
If you do not want to hire a moving company, you can look at this popular alternative. Renting a portable moving container comes with a lot of benefits. The container will double as a storage pod and are ideal for people who need to store their items before they are delivered to their new address.
There are a lot of companies which offer these container sand you will need to look at the terms of each. One of the benefits of these containers is the fact that you can take your time packing your possessions. This will reduce the stress on moving day and could allow you greater flexibility regarding dates.
Document The Condition Of Your Items
As you put your items in boxes, you need to document their condition. This should be done through photographs or videos. This will ensure that you have some proof should something be broken during transit.
If this happens, you need to be able to show the condition of the item before the movers took it. This is one of the reasons why many cross country movers will want to pack your items. The documentation will help you file a claim and get the compensation that you should.
Consider Moving Insurance
The moving company that you choose needs to have insurance, but it cannot hurt to get more. This is particularly important if you have items of a high value that you are moving. The insurance that you get from the moving company will generally cover the bare minimum, and your values could come to more than this.
If you are going to get additional insurance, you should look for Full Value Protection. This will cover the actual cash value of your possessions. You can get this insurance from some of the moving companies, but you can also go to a third-party insurance provider.
Moving cross country can be a challenge and very stressful. Choosing the right moving company like Anchana.com and planning your move correctly can make this much easier.