5 Essential Tips for Long Distance Moves

As stressful as local moving can be, it's an easy endeavor compared to moving cross-country. It's no longer a project started and finished within one day. Depending on how far you are going, you might not see your belongings anywhere f rom a few days to a few weeks. Interstate moving requires a more sophisticated approach to planning and execution. Here are a few tips that will help ease the process for you:
1. Declutter. Getting rid of extra stuff before the move is always a good idea, but it can be an invaluable money-saving aspect of long distance relocation. Most moving companies either charge by weight or by cubic feet (the amount of space your possessions will take up on the truck). Every extra pound/cubic foot translates into additional charge, not mentioning the extra time it will take to load/unload your shipment.  Make sure to lighten up by organizing a garage sale or donating the unneeded items to a local charity.

2. Pack well. It's important to keep in mind that your things will stay on a constantly moving vehicle for days. Long distance moving companies  rarely transport one family's belongings at a time; they usually collect a few shipments before setting out on a trip and then make multiple stops dropping them off.  Any glassware, breakables, electronics should be packed securely using bubble wrap and cardboard. If you are unsure how to do it properly, let the movers handle the packing for you: it will then become their liability if something gets damaged during the move and insurance will cover it.

3. Take the important stuff with you. Like we've mentioned, being transported along with other family's possessions leaves room for a mix-up. It happens that a box or two gets dropped off at the wrong destination, and the fact is not discovered until the customer is done unpacking. Make sure to pack your records, passports, jewelry, medication and other essential items you would not stand to lose separately and transport them with you in a car or by plane.

4. Get additional insurance. Long distance movers normally provide you with the minimum insurance of 60 cents per pound per article, which wouldn't do much if your large screen plasma TV gets damaged.  Consider buying an additional insurance premium from a third party carrier like Baker Insurance, which will cover you more adequately.

5. Make proper arrangements at your destination. Remember, you won't be seeing your possessions for a while. Apart from the promised timeframe for your delivery, there are unforeseen factors like poor weather conditions or truck problems that can delay the trip. Whether you are booking a hotel, staying with relatives or sleeping in a sleeping bag in your furniture-less house, make sure you have everything you need until your belongings are delivered.