People move for different reasons. Maybe you finally got that dream job, or you are going to school, or you are just relocating to your retiree home. Whatever the reason for a cross country move, the fact is that it will not be so easy. You need to come up with an effective plan. This article will help you make that plan.
We recommend that you start planning eight weeks before the day you plan to move. Below is a breakdown of the various things you need to do during that duration.
Find a moving company
Go to review sites such as Yelp, and read reviews and testimonials for different moving companies. If a company has reviews that are alleging it has bad customer service or unprofessional staff, it is a no go. Consider companies with a record of good customer service and timely deliveries.
Also, this is the time to set a budget. So, as you are screening different moving companies, request quotes. Remember there are many unforeseen costs. Therefore, whatever budget you have should be above the average quote price from different top movers.
Finding the right moving company should not take more than a week.
Get rid of stuff you do not need or use
At this point, you have identified the moving company you will work with. You are now remaining with 6 or 7 weeks. It is time to start organizing the furniture you will move. Note that the cost of moving is determined by the weight of all the things you intent to move. The furniture in your home that you do not necessarily need will only add to this weight. So consider donating them or listing them for sale on sites such as Craigslist or eBay.
Now that you have gotten rid of the things you do not need, it is time you finalized with your moving company. This step will involve actions like:
- Setting a specific date of moving
- Buying packing materials
- Give details about the origin and destination of the move, with specifics about truck access and elevator and stairs access
- Inform the movers if you will need storage
- Specify any other special needs you have
After giving the company this information, they will provide you with a final quote.
Notify important people about your move and start parking arrangements
Four weeks before the actual moving date is the perfect time to begin packing. If you hired the moving company to pack for you, then you can skip this step. Otherwise, buy packing materials such as boxes and packing paper from a hardware store. Some moving companies sell these materials too.
If you are renting, you need to inform your landlord so they can start arranging to reimburse your rent deposit. Also, you need to notify utility providers (gas, electricity, water, cable television, and internet) that you will be moving. Similarly, alert utility providers in your destination address that you will be moving in.
Start notifying important people and institutions about your move. Such include friends and family, insurance companies, post office, healthcare providers, banks and other financial institutions, and schools your children attend.
Pack
With around two weeks to the actual moving day, you should begin packing. The packing process will end on the actual moving day since you are still using most of your belongings. Label the packing boxes so that you know what to put where and what went where when you arrive at your destination. Also, make an inventory list of the contents of each box.
It is good practice to clean as you pack so that your landlord will reimburse the full rent deposit.
Travel plans
With one week to the moving day, you will still be packing. Often, a cross country move takes more than a day. You will need to make your family’s travel arrangements early enough. If you are flying, book the flight tickets. Set aside the clothes and supplies you will need for the journey. If you will drive to your destination, select the items you will move in your car. Also book hotel accommodation in advance.
Finalize packing
One day to the actual moving day is the right time to finalize the packing process. You will need to disassemble large furniture and disconnect electrical appliances such as fridges and stoves. Packing these items is difficult, so you better let the moving company do it for you when they arrive the next day.
The moving day
The day is finally here. The first person you will meet when the moving crew arrives is the moving foreman. They will have the inventory list you provided. Walk them through the inventory and point out boxes and items that need special care. The moving crew will load everything. Inspect the inventory one last time and sign the inventory list for the truck to leave.
Indeed, the moving process is not easy. It requires a lot of preparation and planning. Hopefully, after reading this, you will be in a better position to plan any move, cross country or local.