Long-distance moves require much more planning than just moving down the street or across town. With a short move, you can make multiple trips until everything is where it needs to be. That plan doesn’t really work when moving over a long distance. The key to making sure your long-distance move goes smoothly is to create a plan and stay organized. Start with the tips below.
1) The most important tip is to do your research before deciding who is going to move your belongings. Choosing a moving company can be overwhelming. Our best advice is to get referrals, look for red flags, and then ask for estimates. If you would prefer to have a little more control over your moving process, consider using 1-800-PACK-RAT. You can forgo the hassle of having to drive your belongings across the country to your new home. An easy-loading portable storage container will be delivered to your home, where you can load your belongings into it directly. Our storage containers feature barn-style doors and ground-level design, making them very easy to load. There’s no need to worry about going up and down a ramp. When you’re all packed up, we’ll pick up the container and drive it the long distance to your new home. You can even track your container online to see where it is in its moving journey.
2) If possible, base the decision of what furniture and belongings to move on the layout and size of your new home. Knowing each room's exact size and dimensions will make decisions easier because you know exactly what will and will not fit. Don’t pack or move anything that doesn’t have a dedicated space in your new home. Downsizing now will make your long-distance move easier and less expensive.
3) Most people don't realize exactly how much stuff they own until it's time to move. We know every situation is unique, meaning a one-bedroom apartment could have just as much stuff to store or move as a five-bedroom house! So we offer a space calculator to help you estimate the number of portable storage containers you might need to move or store your belongings. Choose the quantity and type of furniture you wish to move or store, and this tool will help to visually show you how much space it will take up in the container. The more accurately you fill out the space calculating tool, the more accurate the recommendation will be.
4) Take extra care to pack and store boxes so that nothing gets damaged during the long move. Make sure you are using sturdy boxes that can withstand the long haul. It can be helpful to use manufacturer boxes and packaging if you still have them available. Spread out the weight of your items and pack them reliably with proper padding. Mark boxes with fragile items so that everyone knows to take extra care with these boxes.
5) Things like jewelry, personal documents, essential electronics, and other valuables should personally make the move with you. Also, be sure to pack enough clothes, toiletries, and medication to make it through several days without your boxed belongings. It makes sense to pack a suitcase with everything you would need as if you were taking a trip.
Give yourself sufficient time to devote to each step of the moving process. The more you leave to the last minute, the more stress you’ll inevitably feel. Seeing a clear outline of your completed and uncompleted tasks will help you stay more organized and less stressed. That’s why 1-800-PACK-RAT has created a moving checklist for our customers. You can use this tool to break down every task you have on your schedule and make sure you don't miss anything important for your move.