The open road stretches in front of you: you’re on your way to your new home! A move of this magnitude can be daunting to say the least, especially when you factor in hundreds or thousands of miles of travel away from your old home to begin a new life somewhere else. While no mover can help you deal with the feelings of homesickness and loss you may be experiencing, you should at least enjoy peace of mind knowing your long-distance move will go smoothly!
1. Maximize Space
Making the most use of the space in your moving van or vans is key. But before you start having the movers pack it — in fact, well before you start organizing — you should de-clutter your existing home. If you don’t need it or haven’t used it recently, throw it out or donate it. Period. You can’t afford to lug items that no longer serve you halfway across the country.
2. Use the Resources You Have
Rather than unpack all your dresser drawers and then pack the dresser itself, leave the drawers filled with clothing and linens. Yes, it will be a bit heavier to move, but it will save you a lot of time in the long run when unpacking. Plus, you don’t need as many boxes. Same goes with luggage — fill them too! For heavy, sensitive items such as electronics, invest in heavy-duty boxes that provide more security and protection.
3. Do Your Research on Utilities Beforehand
Perhaps you got away with no landline and just a cell phone at your existing place, and you assume the same will apply to the new digs. Not always so. You can’t be sure what the cellphone reception will be like there. Your carrier may not even get a signal, or the infrastructure in your new region may not be as strong. Look into your options for phone and cable providers and do exhaustive research on what will and won’t work in the new place. Because of lousy cell phone reception, you may find that you need to invest in a landline again, says Houzz.
4. Insure Your Stuff
When your belongings are being hauled over thousands of miles in the back of a truck by multiple movers, stuff happens. Damage can occur even with the most skilled movers and careful planning. Because moving is a high-risk industry, it’s wise to obtain the proper insurance coverage. Federal laws state that a mover must provide liability of about $.60 per pound. Does this basic coverage sound adequate to you? If not, consider buying full-value coverage for the utmost in protection.
5. Keep Important Documents on Your Person
Rather than pack certain important documents where you can’t get at them readily, keep them with you throughout the moving process. These include:
- Driver’s license
- Social security card
- Passport
- Birth certificate
You may also want to keep recent bank statements, tax returns and pay stubs. These personal documents can come in handy if you’re signing up for new services or looking for a job in the new place. While you’re at it, keep prescriptions, important toiletries and spare clothes with you in an emergency bag as well.
Contact Moving Proz
Here at Moving Proz, we are committed to providing the best moving and packing services in Kansas City, Overland Park, and Lawrence. We would love to hear from you, so contact us at one of our three convenient locations. Or, get a free online moving estimate to help you plan your long-distance move.