Moving in any capacity comes with its fair share of challenges, but the process of taking your entire life on the go across a vast distance takes special consideration to ensure that everything goes off without a hitch. Like any large-scale endeavor, knowing which practices to avoid is just as important as the essential steps that help make our move as painless as possible. This guide will showcase both sides of the coin and you can tackle your relocation with a full spectrum of knowledge at your disposal.
The “Do’s” of Long Distance Moving
If you’re a veteran of the moving process, you’re probably well acquainted with these rules to live by. However, for those who may be consulting moving companies in West Chester, PA or those who are otherwise novices to the operation, these simple provisions can go a long way to mitigate issues and optimize your relocation.
- Plan and Organize Early: It goes without saying that a large amount of planning should be prioritized every time you plan on moving house. It stands to reason that a move of the long-distance variety would require even more preparation. Planning ahead can help prevent last-minute stress, cost increases, and logistical issues. Additionally, starting early allows you time to secure storage if necessary and make detailed lists of your belongings. It’s commonly recommended that you start enacting these plans about 6-8 weeks before your say goodbye to your home
- Budget Your Move Effectively: Long-distance moving often comes with significant and sometimes unforeseen costs. Budgeting early will give you a clearer idea of what to expect as things as simple as packing materials can vary in cost based on the amount and type of materials you need to secure your valuables. It may be beneficial to include the physical travel costs in your budget as well, as charges from fuel, transportation necessities and tolls can add up quickly.
- Declutter and Downsize When Necessary: Moving grants us the opportunity to assess the usefulness and condition of your belongings, allowing you to make more intentional decisions about what to bring along and what to leave behind. Better yet, downsizing your personal inventory can help reduce moving expenses as well, limiting the cargo either yourself or professional long-distance moving experts will have to carry. Start the decluttering process at least 2-3 months before your move. This will provide you with a clearer idea of which items you should keep, donate, sell, or throw away.
- Pack Strategically and Effectively: Perhaps the most significant consideration should be the method in which you pack your items for the long trek to your next destination. The goal is not just to fit everything into boxes, but to do so in a way that maximizes space, minimizes damage, and ensures easy access to items when you reach your new home. This has added advantages beyond just elevated convenience. This can help keep your costs low as many Philadelphia relocation services will consider the weight of the boxes you choose to send out. Effective packing minimizes the overall weight of the entirety of your cargo, leaving you with more money in your pocket for the journey.
The “Don’ts” of Long Distance Moving
While the aforementioned advice can help us make short work of the headaches that moving can present, we can sometimes personally add to our own distress by engaging in habits that represent some of the nightmares moving can cause. Below is an examination of some critical “don’ts” to keep in mind during a long-distance move:
- Waiting Until Last Minute to Pack: It’s a tale as old as time. Procrastinating the process of organizing and packing your personal effects and valuables not only puts you in a time crunch, but it can also lead to inefficient packing techniques that can have consequences once you put your roots in the ground in your new locale. A sure-fire and manageable way to make sure this doesn’t occur is to begin by packing non-essential items that you won’t need right away, and work your way towards packing more frequently used items as the move date approaches.
- Overloading Your Boxes: In the moment, it may seem like the best thing to do but overloading your boxes can end up costing you in the end. Condensing your cargo is critical, but not at the expense of the structural integrity of your boxes. Squeezing them to their limit can result in damages to your items and the potential for lost valuables that escape through holes in the weakened boxes. To avoid this, be sure to leave room for bubble wrap and lining. This way, you can be sure that you’re not putting unnecessary strain on their frame.
- Forgetting to Notify the Proper Parties of Your Impending Move: So, you think you’ve got everything completed and in order. You’re ready to embark on your new adventure but you’re missing one, integral final element: letting the world know about your new living space. Failing to inform service providers, banks, and other entities about your move can cause delays, missed bills, and even interruptions in service. This includes not only changing your address but also updating important subscriptions, utilities, and accounts. This seems like an annoying impediment to your physical packing process, but blocking out a section of time to do this can offer a nice change of pace and will ensure you don’t miss a beat when you christen your new house or apartment.
Knowing When to Ask the Professionals
As comprehensive as this guide is, there are still some distinctive situations that we as homeowners can’t account for. This is the best time to consult the professionals at Louderback Moving. They have a dedicated, experienced team that’s well-versed in addressing a vast variety of moving inquiries, adding peace of mind and expert know-how to your relocation plan. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us regarding any questions or advice. We look forward to hearing from you!