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While a long distance move to a new place of residence can be quite challenging, there are a lot of ways in which you can ensure that you have a smooth and hassle free transition. A long distance move is very different from a local move on many levels. In addition to involving a greater risk of damage during the transition, the long distance moves also sometimes include temporary storage of the shipment in special storage units depending upon the availability of the required logistics. From packing your stuff to hiring a reliable and reputed moving company, there are a hundred and one aspects of a long distance move that you need to take care of. That being said, it is extremely important for you to take your time in planning things out well in advance and make the moving process a little less stressful for all those involved. To make things easier for you, we here have a list of some smart and handy tricks for preparing for your next long distance move and pulling it off with grace and wisdom.
Identify the type of move
For starters, you need to consider the kind of move you are making (interstate or intrastate) and plan things accordingly. More often than not, most long distance moves are interstate and you need to hire a moving company that specializes in cross border transports to avoid any legal hassles along the way. Determining the type of your move will not only help in identifying the right mode of shipment (rail, road or air) but also enable you to get an idea of the how much it might cost you.
Get an in-home estimate
Before you finalize a mover for the job, you must ask them to provide you a proper written estimate for the costs associated with the entire move. Exchanging estimates over the phone will never be able to help you get an accurate understanding of how much your move will cost you and it is important for the movers to evaluate your case by dropping in at your home in person.
De-clutter before you begin packing
Moving is a stressful ordeal that shouldn’t be made any more challenging by packing things that you don’t need. If you haven’t used an item in an entire year, there is negligible chances of it being of any use to you in the future as well. Identify all such excess possessions, pieces of furniture, utensils, appliances, clothing and so on that have been lying untouched for quite some time now, and separate them from the useful items that you would be taking with you on the move. If you do not have the heart to throw away your favorite mittens in the bin, donate them instead!
Ensure that your belongings are packed securely
Given the fact that a long distance move will typically involve your shipment being handled by different teams across different vehicles and storage units, it is important to ensure that your belongings have been packed securely within good quality cartons and boxes and adequately sealed with packing materials to restrict movement of the goods during the transition. Also, the items must be first segregated on the basis of their fragility and utility and then packaged separately to eliminate any chances of damage or mix up. Always pack the breakable items in dedicated fragile packaging boxes with proper indications. More often than not, the moving company that you hire will take care of the packaging part and ensure that your items are packaged in a professional manner.
Keep the items that you would need upon arrival separately
There are a lot of things such as your personal documents, identification cards, keys, chargers, clothes, toiletries, sleeping materials and such that might need even before your shipment arrives at your new place of residence. That being said, you must make sure to keep these separately and take them with you instead of hauling them onto the shipment truck along with the other items. Doing this, will avoid any inconvenience and ensure a pleasant and hassle free move. It is also a good idea to label each of the boxes with your name and mention the contents of the package on the box to avoid opening up all the cartons searching for a small pair of scissors that you might urgently need!
Try to make the move in the off season
While you might not have the luxury of it, it is always a good idea to delay your move until the off season such as the fall or winter to get attractive discounts and offers from your moving company. Unless it is absolutely urgent for you to move right away, you must always avoid the busy summer months as most moving companies charge higher rates in their peak seasons. By being a little flexible with you moving dates, you can not only save a lot of money but also enjoy a more relaxed and timely move.