Moving from one place to another is not the easiest of tasks. There is a lot of work and things that will need your attention when moving. This process becomes even more complicated if you have a lot of stuff. Many people don’t get started early with the process and end up regretting when it is too late. You need to start early so you can adequately plan for the move. The good thing is there are a number of things you can do to make the process a little bit easier. Below are some cross counting moving tips that will go a long way and help you plan your cross country move.
Lightening the load as much as possible
The weight of your stuff will largely determine the costs of moving. The more stuff you have, the more you can expect to pay for the moving. Lightening the load is a great idea because you will end up saving yourself a lot of stress and money. A common way of lightening the load is to donate gently-used items to organizations such as Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity. If you can sell some of your stuff, then do it.
Divide and Conquer
Moving across the country is not easy, but you can have an easier time if you have a family because they provide an extra set of hands to help. When packing your things, ask for assistance from your partner and kids. You should make sure they know the proper way of packing moving boxes before they start doing it. Older kids can easily pack things from their rooms. You should get started with packing items that are not going to be needed for the next few weeks. Essentials should always be the last to be packed because it makes it easier to unpack when you get to your destination, and you need to use some of the items.
Making travel arrangement in advance
People tend to wait the last minute before booking their travel. When you are moving across the country, you should try to do it one month before. This gives you enough time to do research and schedule your travel details. You will also get time to correct any mistakes. Make sure you do travel arrangements and hotel reservations early because it is going to determine your experience when moving.
Quotes from different moving companies
Prices will vary from one moving company to the next, and the difference can be a lot sometimes. This is why it can be a good idea to get quotes from the different moving companies in your area then choose the one you think works best. Do not make the mistake of using price to determine the services you choose. Moving companies provide a wide range of services, and the final costs will be determined by the services you need. You need to see the services provided before making your choice. Start this process early, so you don’t have to rush through things.
A portable moving container
If you don’t feel like using a professional moving company, then you can rent a portable moving container. They double as storage pods before during and after the move. You should learn more about portable moving containers before you choose to use them.
Moving insurance
Many people make the assumption that the moving company is going to cover everything if things go wrong. This is not the case because most of them provide bare minimum coverage. If you want adequate protection for your stuff, then consider getting Full Value Protections. This means you will get compensated the actual cash value of the items if things go wrong. If you want comprehensive coverage, then go to a third-party insurance company for moving insurance.
Pack a bag of moving day essentials
You need to pack a bag or suitcase that you are going to keep with you when moving. Essentials are those things you are going to need from the time you reach your destination and a couple of days after that. Some of the items falling under essentials include; medication, toothbrushes, clothing, toiletries, baby necessities, important documents, paper towels, toilet paper, a tool kit, trash bags, bottled water, pet food, extra shoes, and wallet.