Yes, you guessed it right. And yeah, everyone else, even Aunt Laura, was right about it. Long-distance moving is quite complicated.
Think about it; there will be so many elements at play, and any of these things can go wrong at any moment during this period.
But here comes the good news, you can make your long-distance move less daunting with a little bit of planning and some insider moving tips and strategies. And luckily for you, after helping thousands of families and businesses move over long distances, we have mastered what it takes to make these moves a success.
So grab your favorite snack and sit back as we guide you through the tips, tricks, and strategies to make this process stress-free.
Firstly, You Need a Good Moving Plan
The worst mistake you can ever make is going through a long-distance move without a proper plan. As a rule of thumb, strive to have a good moving plan at least one to two months before your moving date.
During the planning phase, remember to consider the following:
- How far are you moving
Not all long-distance moves are equal, as while some might take a day or two to complete, some take weeks because of how far one is moving. The longer the distance you cover, the more details you will need to factor in when creating your plan.
For example, if it will take several days before you can settle at your new place, you need to prioritize finding temporary accommodation. You will also need to factor in how many personal items you require over this period and how best to pack and carry them.
- Canceling your utilities and services
Besides giving your landlord a heads-up before moving out, you need to schedule cancellations of the utilities and services you use. These include electricity, internet & cable services, garbage pickup, insurance, home maintenance services, and gym subscription.
Do not forget that you equally need to set up utilities and services at your new place. Therefore, as you cancel these utilities and services at your current location, contact relevant vendors to set them up at your new home.
- Your moving budget
Long-distance moves are never cheap, and you will need to budget accordingly for everything to work according to plan. For example, if you will be doing most of your packing, it is best first to learn how to pack like a pro and know how much packaging supplies will cost.
Regardless, the best way to come up with a good moving budget is by hiring professional long-distance movers, as moving by yourself over a great distance will be too risky and complicated. Only pick a moving company after thoroughly evaluating its reputation and have these experts do an in-house survey for a more realistic price quote.
Your budget should also factor in other co-related costs such as travel expenses, temporary accommodation costs, moving insurance, and packing services.
- Pre-planning your moving route
Plan your travel route long before your moving date so you know what to expect on your big day. Evaluate the best routes, stop & rest locations, weather forecast, and how long it will take you to get to your new location.
Take a Good Inventory of Your Home
Do you know how many items are in your home? Have you evaluated whether moving with all the belongings you own is worthwhile?
It is only by taking a home inventory that you will have a clear picture of all the items you possess. You can then create a list of the things you want to keep and those you wish to sell, donate, or recycle.
Strive to declutter as much as possible, as too often, we tend to fill our homes with items we don’t need. For the best outcome, go through one room at a time and be realistic about an item's importance before deciding whether to keep it.
The final inventory list will come in handy when packing, as you can easily subdivide your belongings into suitable categories. Still, for ease in identifying your items once you get to your new location, ensure that all boxes used are properly labeled or differentiated through color-coding.
Ensure Everyone Is Ready For Travel
Moving alone should not be much work; you just need to ensure you have everyday essentials and important documents. Typically, you only need a few travel bags or suitcases to store all you need until your new place is ready for occupancy.
However, if you are moving with your family or pets, you must do more than ensure you have some essentials packed. The best way to ensure everyone is ready for travel is by:
- Talking with your family about the move
It is important to have everyone on the same page to avoid last-minute confusion and frustrations. Talk with the entire family about the relocation and have everyone understand there will be disruptions for a while, and things will get better once you are settled in the new place. For the little ones, you can get them excited about the relocation by telling them about all the nice things they might see along the way or in the new town/city.
Be sure to allocate everyone some responsibilities so the entire family works together. You should also ensure each family member has their personal belongings and essentials with them during the move.
- Making adequate preparations for your pets
Moving with pets requires proper travel arrangements that factor in the pet’s needs and well-being.
Firstly, you must ensure you have all the relevant pet records and licenses. You should then get a carrier or crate to house your pet as you relocate. Remember to help your pet get accustomed to the crate or carrier by slowly introducing them to this environment until they get comfortable.
Bear in mind the routines that your pet is used to and try to factor them into your travel arrangements. For example, if you have a playful pup, it is best to make stopovers at locations where your pet can be let out for a few runs. Or, if your pet gets stressed when traveling over long distances, you can choose to fly with them.
If you will spend a few days with your pets before settling in the new place, pack enough food, treats, water, waste bags, and toys, and only book pet-friendly hotels or rentals.
- Getting plenty of rest before your moving date
Long-distance moves will be too hectic if you travel with a tired household. To avoid this, encourage everyone to spend the last few days getting as much rest as possible.
Do not overwhelm yourself with last-minute activities by ensuring that all those demanding activities have been attended to at least a week before you move. This way, you will be more energized and focused enough to face any challenges during the move.
Take Things Slowly On Your Moving Date
You need to be physically and mentally prepared to make your moving day a success. So you do not rush things over, it is highly advisable that you:
- Wake up early
Even if you do not have much to do, you need to wake up early on your moving day. This will give you adequate time to prepare and set out on time before you run into any hiccups.
Get some breakfast and pack enough food, snacks, and water for the entire day or trip. It is best to have many healthy meals and treats as you’ll need the energy, as will everyone else.
- Properly pack those last-minute items
There are always those last-minute items that have to be packed on your moving day. These include bedding, curtains, and other items that had to be used until the last day.
Communicate with your movers about these items and ensure they are well packed and loaded into the truck with all your other belongings.
- Ensure you have all essentials
Finally, before you say goodbye to your old home, confirm that you have all the essentials you will need while traveling and before settling at your new place. Ensure you have enough toiletries, personal care items, outfits, and cash to last several days.
Don’t Take Chances with Your Long Distance Moves
As this guide clearly portrays, it takes more than meets the eye to make a long-distance move successful. But, with these moving tips, tricks, and strategies, you will be better prepared to manage your relocation.
Armed with this information, the only thing you now need is the right team of long-distance movers to handle the most strenuous elements of long-distance moving. These range from packing and loading to transporting and unloading your belongings at the new place. At Cavalier Moving, we understand your moving needs and have a competent team that is ever-prepared to make those long-distance moves a breeze. Get in contact with us today and let us take care of your moving needs in Richmond, VA, and beyond.